Highlands County officials released the following information Tuesday morning:
Two general population shelters and the special needs shelter are opening Wednesday at noon. The Avon Park shelter will be pet friendly.
- Sebring: Alan Jay Arena, 781 Magnolia Ave., in Sebring, at the Highlands County Fairgrounds
- Avon Park: Avon Park Rec Center, 207 E. State St., in Avon Park
The only pets accepted at the AP shelter will be cats and dogs. Pets must be crated and be up to date on their shots. The pet shelter application form must be printed and filled out completely before arriving at the shelter. Proof of vaccination must be provided upon arrival, and pet owners will need to bring all food, water, a leash, and sanitary supplies for their pets with them.
To print the application form >>
The special needs shelter is the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Blvd., in Sebring.
If you or one of your loved ones are electrically dependent, please register for the special needs shelter ASAP. Call 863-386-6040 or go online . Have your supplies ready if you expect to go to either shelter.
SAND AND SANDBAGS
We are handing out sandbags Tuesday (10/8) UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST starting at 8 a.m. Empty bags are being provided. 10 bags per person. Sandbag filling with be self-service. We suggest you bring a shovel and a partner to help you fill your sandbags.
SANDBAGS are available at:
- Sebring: Road and Bridge office at 4344 George Blvd.
- Avon Park: Road and Bridge office on East Winthrop Street
- Lake Placid: Road and Bridge office on County Road 621
🚗 When you arrive at a sandbag location, stay in your vehicle. Bags will be brought to your car by a county employee.
SAND for sandbags is available at (must bring shovel):
- Sebring: South George Boulevard just north of the Emergency Operations Center
- Avon Park: Intersection of Old Bombing Range Road, County Road 17A and Isabelle Lake Road
- Lake Placid: Intersection of County Road 621, County Road 619 and Highlands Lake Drive
STATE OF EMERGENCY
We are under a state and local state of emergency. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, including Highlands, on Saturday, Oct. 5. The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners declared a local state of emergency on Monday, Oct. 7.
CLOSURES
All Highlands County government offices will be closed Tuesday through Friday.
Offices for City of Sebring are closed Wednesday and Thursday. Their offices will reopen Friday, pending the outcome of the storm.
Offices for the City of Avon Park, and Town of Lake Placid are closed Tuesday through Friday.
The Sun ‘n Lake Special Improvement District office is closed Wednesday and will reopen Thursday.
All Florida Department of Health in Highlands County offices will be closed Tuesday through Friday. The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) toll-free hotline is active: 800-342-3557.
All Highlands County Tax Collector’s offices are closed Tuesday through Friday.
SCHOOLS
All public schools are closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
South Florida State College is closed starting at noon, Tuesday, through Friday.
CALL CENTER
The Community Call Center will be open Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 863-402-6800.
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