Most people are familiar with Emergency Shelters that are opened during severe weather or other emergency situations. In North Carolina, each county government funds the shelter, decides when and if an Emergency Shelter will open, and decides what agency will operate it.
Usually, the local Department of Social Services is in charge of all shelters and they are assisted by the local chapters of the Red Cross. The state Division of Emergency Management provides guidelines for when to open a shelter, how to operate it, and what citizens can be appropriately served by the shelter.
At one time, the Red Cross opened and operated all Emergency Shelters but their long-term goal was to help each state take over that role. They helped N.C. learn how to successfully operate an emergency shelter and they now provide technical assistance and volunteers for the shelters.
Unfortunately, most Emergency Shelters are not equipped to assist individuals with specialized needs. There is another type of shelter that is designed for that purpose - the Special Needs Shelter. These shelters are opened on a county by county basis. Each county decides whether or not they can afford to operate a Special Needs Shelter and whether or not there is a need for this type of service during a particular emergency situation.
Although each county determines what a Special Needs Shelter will be able to offer and who qualifies to be sheltered there, these shelters are ultimately designed to offer more comprehensive service to individuals with special needs. They have a registered nurse on staff and have limited medications available. They coordinate with local aging and health agencies to be able to provide some services through these agencies. If available, a Special Needs Shelter is the best choice for an individual who cannot function independently.
Counties often make the decision about whether or not to open shelters after a disaster strikes so that they can assess whether or not shelters are needed. Local radio stations, television stations, and newspapers are excellent choices for locating available shelters. They will let the public know about the shelters as soon as the decisions are made. Some counties offer transportation to the shelters for those with special needs and/or those with no transportation.
However, you may not have access to these sources at the time of a disaster. You should have with you, as part of your family disaster plan, contact information for your:
Be sure to check ahead of time to find out who is eligible to go to a Special Needs Shelter in your area (contact your local DSS) and whether or not a family member or friend must accompany the person and what supplies must be brought to the shelter. These considerations are important to check out before a disaster strikes. Also, check to find out if transportation is provided to the shelter and whether or not there is a charge for this service.
If you feel that a Special Needs Shelter should be opened but find out that there are no plans to open one, consult with your local Department of Social Services for immediate needs. After the disaster event is over, contact your local county commissioners to help them understand the problems you encountered and why you feel that these specialized shelters should be opened.
Some counties provide for the voluntary registration of county residents who have special needs and will need assistance during an evacuation. If an evacuation is ordered, shelter for persons with special needs will be available. Those with special needs should have made prior arrangements for transportation to the shelters, however transportation will be provided for those unable to make such arrangements or who are unable to get there on their own.
| County | Special Needs Registration | Form |
| Chatham | Sorry, none at this time. | |
| Durham | Durham County Emergency Management Special Care Needs Registry 2422 Broad Street Durham, NC 27704 |
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| Johnston | Sorry, none at this time. | |
| Lee | Sorry, none at this time. | |
| Moore | Sorry, none at this time. | |
| Orange | Department of Social Services 300 West Tryon Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-245-2800 |
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| Wake | Sorry, none at this time. * |
* Though Wake County does not have Special Needs Registration, they do offer the Citizens Well-Check Program. A resident may sign up to receive a call 365 days a year to make sure he or she is safe. This service may be used during an impending emergency to notify registered participants of important information.
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