The only special needs shelter in Citrus County, which houses people with special and minimal medical needs in the event of a severe weather emergency, is temporarily relocating to the Renaissance Center, located at 3630 W. Educational Path in Lecanto, with immediate effect.

The relocation of the special needs shelter will allow schools in Citrus County to complete the necessary upgrade of the fire alarm system at Forest Ridge Elementary School, the former location of the special needs shelter. The facility will be out of service until next school year and the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) and the Emergency Operations Division of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office will use the Renaissance Center as a temporary shelter for special needs until then.

The Special Needs Shelter is managed and operated by DOH-Citrus, Citrus County Schools, County Government and Emergency Management employees, and is designed to meet the needs of people dependent on oxygen, having mobility issues and other physical, mental and cognitive impairments, and have no other escape option.

To streamline the registration process and ensure a smooth transition to the temporary location, DOH-Citrus is asking residents who are medically stable but need assistance with basic tasks or who use an electronic medical device and have no other escape option to pre-register for the Special Need for Shelter by completing the Enrollment in the Voluntary Special Needs Program found on the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office website.

Pre-registration also helps identify a person’s disability, as well as any special equipment or specific assistance needed during an evacuation. This includes transportation to a family member’s or friend’s home (in the county) or to the special needs shelter if you have no other accommodation option. People registered at the Special Needs Shelter are permitted to bring their pets to the temporary location.

As a reminder, the special needs shelter should be a last resort especially because of COVID-19.

For more information or assistance, call the Emergency Operations Division of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office at 352-249-2700 or the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County at 352-527 -0068.

For more information on DOH-Citrus, visit www.CitrusCountyHealth.org or follow us on Twitter at @FLHealthCitrus.