DOH-Okaloosa will open Special Needs Shelter at Davidson Middle School — reading text

October 8, 2026 ° re | DOH-Okaloosa will open Special Needs Flori a Shelter at Davidson Middle School HEALTH Contact: Pery Lopez HealthyOkaloosaP|O@flhealth.gov 850-344-0572 Fort Walton Beach, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa (DOH-Okaloosa) will open a co-located Special Needs Shelter Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., at Davidson Middle School, located at 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview, FL. Special needs shelter is designed for people whose age, frailty, mobility, functional, and/or medical disability make them particularly vulnerable and at risk in disaster situations. Individuals who have pre-existing condition(s) resulting in medical impairments and who have been able to maintain activities of daily living in a home environment prior to the disaster qualify for intake at the shelter. Shelter attendees should bring a caregiver with them as the nursing staff at the shelter is limited. The nursing staff are there to assist should your medical needs exceed your caregiver's medical training/knowledge. In addition to a caregiver shelter attendees should bring with them: e Picture ID e Bedding materials (pillow and blanket) e Food and water for themselves and caregivers o 1 gallon per person per day for up to 7 days o Non-perishable food for up to 7 days e Medication/medical supplies for seven days e Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, etc.) e Clothes Only service animals will be allowed into the shelter space. All other dogs and cats will be housed in the animal shelter portion of this location. You can learn more about the requirements of animals in the shelter at pet disaster preparedness. HH About the Florida Department of Health The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, visit FloridaHealth.gov. October 8, 2026 ° re | DOH-Okaloosa will open Special Needs Flori a Shelter at Davidson Middle School HEALTH Contact: Pery Lopez HealthyOkaloosaP|O@flhealth.gov 850-344-0572 Fort Walton Beach, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa (DOH-Okaloosa) will open a co-located Special Needs Shelter Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., at Davidson Middle School, located at 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview, FL. Special needs shelter is designed for people whose age, frailty, mobility, functional, and/or medical disability make them particularly vulnerable and at risk in disaster situations. Individuals who have pre-existing condition(s) resulting in medical impairments and who have been able to maintain activities of daily living in a home environment prior to the disaster qualify for intake at the shelter. Shelter attendees should bring a caregiver with them as the nursing staff at the shelter is limited. The nursing staff are there to assist should your medical needs exceed your caregiver's medical training/knowledge. In addition to a caregiver shelter attendees should bring with them: e Picture ID e Bedding materials (pillow and blanket) e Food and water for themselves and caregivers o 1 gallon per person per day for up to 7 days o Non-perishable food for up to 7 days e Medication/medical supplies for seven days e Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, etc.) e Clothes Only service animals will be allowed into the shelter space. All other dogs and cats will be housed in the animal shelter portion of this location. You can learn more about the requirements of animals in the shelter at pet disaster preparedness. HH About the Florida Department of Health The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, visit FloridaHealth.gov.