As Hurricane Irma draws closer to potentially making a landfall in Florida, local and state officials recommend that residents take precautions now. Shelters: Collier County officials will decide the day before Hurricane Irma makes landfall as to which shelters will be made available to the public. The following locations are designed as general population shelters in the Immokalee area; however, not all shelters may be operational so it’s recommended that residents closely monitor local media outlets for updated information over the next 72 hours. Eden Park Elementary School Lake Trafford Elementary School Highlands Elementary School Immokalee Middle School Immokalee High School Immokalee Friendship House Pinecrest Elementary School Village Oaks Elementary School Collier County does offer a special needs shelter at Palmetto Ridge High School; however, those in need of care MUST register in advance of that need. If you or a loved one in your care will need to stay at the special needs shelter, you must register online at https://snr.floridadisaster.org. Do not wait until you decide to leave for the shelter to register. What to Gather: As with any natural disaster, each person must be able to take care of their own survival needs of at least 72 hours after a disaster strikes. This includes those planning on using a local shelter during the hurricane as resources are limited. The following should be on everyone’s hurricane supply list: Food – enough for three days Water – at least one gallon per person per day (three gallons per person for a three-day supply) Blankets and Pillows Cash Cellular Phone Car Chargers Clothing First Aid Kit Prescription Medications Flashlights and Spare Batteries Mosquito Spray Battery Operated Radio (preferably a NOAA weather radio) Toiletries (hygiene items/moisture wipes) Toys Tools (keep a set with you) Important Documents in a Waterproof Container (insurance records, copy of your vehicle registration, medical records, bank account numbers, physician information, list of medications, Social Security Card, Passports, Resident Cards, etc.) Pet Care Items (food, toys, crate, muzzle, leash, medications, etc.) Fuel for Vehicles Regardless if you stay at home, evacuate, or relocate to a shelter, be sure to take a list of phone numbers of friends and family with you. Do not rely on your cell phone directory as your phone battery may be dead. Make sure you notify a family member who lives out-of-state what your plans are. Let them know the address of the shelter you are going to or make sure they know what your address is if you choose to stay at home. Emergency Services As a reminder, local emergency services (fire and EMS) will stop responding to calls for service once the sustained winds reach 40 mph. Immokalee Fire Control District said that they will prioritize calls that come in during the hurricane and will respond to them accordingly after the storm passes and threat has diminished. When evacuation orders are given, please consider doing so to keep your family safe.