A public shelter may be the only safe option for some people who have to evacuate during an emergency or disaster. Whether you are evacuating due to a wildfire, tornado, or hurricane, it is important to be prepared and take steps now to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

• Know a safe place to shelter and have several ways to receive weather alerts, such as National Weather Service (NWS) cell phone alerts, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, or NWS Twitter alerts (@NWS).
• Find out if your local public shelter is open in case you need to evacuate there. Your shelter location may be different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Follow guidance from your local officials on when and where to shelter.
• Prepare a “Go-Kit” with personal items that you cannot do without during an emergency, if you need to evacuate. Make sure to include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, bar or liquid soap, and two cloth face coverings for each person. Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2. They also should not be used by people having trouble breathing, or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Make a plan and prepare a disaster kit for your pets. Find out if your public shelter will accept pets. Typically, when shelters accommodate pets, the pets are housed in a separate area from people.

Visit the CDC Website for additional information.