During an Emergency (Sheltering and Evacuation)

Sheltering in an Emergency

In any emergency, your safety is the top priority. Sometimes, the safest choice is to shelter in place, other times the safest choice is to seek shelter elsewhere. Whether you're protecting yourself from a storm, chemical spill, or another hazard, knowing when and how to shelter can save lives. This page explains when you should shelter at home, when to evacuate, and what to expect if you need to go to a public evacuation shelter in Flagler County.

Sheltering In Place

You may shelter in place if you feel safe at home, your neighborhood is not being evacuated, or if authorities advise it (e.g., during a chemical spill). If you are in a potential evacuation zone or unsure of your risk, stay tuned to official Flagler County pages and local media for instructions.

If you choose to shelter in place:

  • Monitor Flagler County's official website and social media for real-time updates

  • Keep your emergency kit and devices nearby and charged

  • Close all windows and doors, and move to an interior room without windows if possible

  • Keep pets inside with you

  • Follow guidance from emergency officials as the situation evolves

Sheltering in place is not recommended if your area is under an evacuation order.

Evacuation

In certain emergencies, Flagler County may issue mandatory evacuation orders to protect public safety. You may not be forced to leave, but emergency services may not be able to assist you if you choose to stay.

If ordered to evacuate:

  • Stay tuned to our official pages to confirm posted evacuation orders

  • Remember: “Run from water, hide from wind”

  • Evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds

  • Plan to stay with family or friends

Check if your home is in an evacuation zone and plan ahead using the Flagler County Potential Hurricane Evacuation Zone Map.

Public Evacuation Shelters 

The county will always open Evacuation Shelters if evacuations have been issued. These shelters are more like lifeboats than cruise ships. If you do not feel safe/comfortable at home, cannot stay with family/friends, or cannot stay in a hotel, then an Evacuation Shelter may be your only option.

Important:
Not all shelters open during every incident. One or several may be activated depending on the emergency. Flagler County Emergency Management will announce which shelters are open to the public on our official channels, such as our website and social media. Please stay tuned.

Hurricane Evacuation Shelters (may open depending on the situation):

  • Rymfire Elementary School
    1425 Rymfire Dr, Palm Coast, FL 32164

  • Bunnell Elementary School
    305 N Palmetto St, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • Buddy Taylor-Wadsworth Campus
    4500-4550 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32164

Non-Hurricane Evacuation Shelters (may open depending on the situation):

  • Espanola Community Center
    3570 County Rd 205, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • Haw Creek Community Center
    9257 County Rd 304, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • Hidden Trails Community Center
    6108 Mahogany Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • Pellicer Community Center
    1380 County Rd 2007, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • Hammock Community Center
    79 Malacompra Rd, Palm Coast, FL 32137

  • Carver Community Center
    201 E Drain St, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • St. Johns Park Community Center
    99 County Rd 2006 E, Bunnell, FL 32110

  • Palm Coast Community Center
    305 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, FL 32137

For individuals with special medical needs, such as those who receive daily medical care at home or need transportation services, Special Medical Needs Shelters are available. For more information and additional resources, click here.

For more information about what to bring to a shelter, evacuation facts, and what to do before, during, and after an evacuation, please check out our Disaster Preparedness Guide(PDF, 16MB) on pages 14-17

What to Bring to a Shelter(PDF, 1MB)

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