Putnam County hurricane guide¶

Putnam County Emergency Management, part of the county's Department of Emergency Services, runs hurricane planning, evacuation orders, shelters, and emergency alerts from Palatka. The county has hurricane evacuation zones based on the risk of storm surge, and flooding from heavy rain is also a risk. If an evacuation is ordered, it is ordered by zone, A through D.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Official alerts and information¶

• Putnam County Emergency Alert Program: Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. Website.
• Putnam County Emergency Management: The county's official hurricane information page, with the evacuation zone map, shelter map, and special needs registration. Website.

Evacuation zones¶

Putnam County's hurricane evacuation zones are based on the risk of storm surge, the deadliest hurricane hazard. If a hurricane evacuation is ordered, it will be ordered by zone: A, B, C, or D. Look up your address before hurricane season so you know your zone.

Look up your evacuation zone

Evacuation centers¶

Putnam County's shelter map lists the schools below as emergency shelters. They open only when the county announces them during an emergency, so follow county alerts and the Emergency Management page. Palatka Intermediate School is the special needs shelter, and Ochwilla Elementary School is the pet friendly shelter. Pets are allowed only in the pet friendly shelter, only with registration in advance, and only if the owner is staying at that shelter.

Official list of open evacuation centers

These are locations the county has used or designated as evacuation centers. They are listed for planning only.

Help to evacuate¶

• Special Needs and Evacuation Assistance Program: For people with no other way to evacuate who need a government shelter or a ride. The program gives rides to general shelters, special needs shelters, or a health care facility, and the Department of Health decides who qualifies for a special needs shelter. Register online well before a storm, because help may not come once winds are high. You may bring a caregiver or family members, and if you have nowhere for your pet to go, Animal Services can arrange a host home for it. Website.
• Pet friendly shelter registration: Register your pet before a storm. Dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, and pocket pets are allowed, but no exotics or reptiles. Bring a crate, proof of rabies vaccination, and food, water, and supplies for 5 to 7 days. Website.
• Putnam County Animal Services: County animal shelter. Phone: 386-329-0396. Website.

Radio, TV and weather¶

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Radio stations¶

NOAA Weather Radio¶

A weather radio turns itself on for warnings, even in the middle of the night. Set it to this frequency.

TV stations¶

Official forecasts¶

• National Weather Service Jacksonville: Local forecasts, watches, and warnings. Phone: 904-741-4370. Website.
• National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.

Power, water and debris¶

• Clay Electric Cooperative: Report an outage online or by phone. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 855-939-3840. Website.
• Florida Power & Light (FPL): Also written 1-800-4-OUTAGE. Report an outage online or by phone. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 1-800-468-8243. Website.
• Debris reporting: Putnam County Public Works online form for reporting debris. Website.

After the storm: help for displaced residents¶

If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.

Where to start¶

• United Way 211 of Northeast Florida: United Way of Northeast Florida runs this 24/7 211 line for Northeast Florida, St. Johns County and the Suwannee Valley. 24 hours a day. Phone: 904-632-0600. Website.

Housing and shelter¶

• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers: After a federal declaration, these centers help you apply for aid in person. Use the locator to find the nearest one. Phone: 1-800-621-3362. Website.

Food¶

• Feeding Northeast Florida: Regional food bank for Northeast and North Central Florida. Phone: 904-513-1333. Website.
• Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): State food benefits after a declared disaster. Dates and locations are posted when it opens. Website.

Money, work and insurance¶

• DisasterAssistance.gov: Apply for FEMA aid after a federal declaration. Phone: 1-800-621-3362. Website.
• Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline: Free help with insurance claims and disputes. Phone: 1-877-693-5236. Website.
• SBA disaster loans: Low interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses after a declared disaster. Phone: 800-659-2955. Website.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance: For people who lose work because of a declared disaster. Website.

Legal help¶

• Community Legal Services: Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of Central Florida. Phone: 800-405-1417. Website.
• Florida Disaster Relief Hotline: Free legal help for disaster survivors, switched on after a storm. Phone: 1-866-550-2929. Website.

Emotional support¶

• Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems (LSF Health Systems): State-contracted managing entity that funds and coordinates public mental health and substance use care in its region; it does not treat people directly. 24 hours a day. Phone: 877-229-9098. Website.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text, any time. Phone: 988.

Relief organizations¶

• American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter (North and Central Florida Region headquarters): Local Red Cross chapter that runs shelters and gives emergency help after disasters and home fires. Office hours Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For disaster help at any hour, call 1-800-733-2767. Phone: 904-358-8091. Website.

Scams, contractors and price gouging¶

• Price gouging hotline (Florida Attorney General): Report price gouging during a declared state of emergency. Phone: 1-866-966-7226. Website.
• Contractor license check (DBPR): Check any contractor's license before you pay for repairs. Phone: 850-487-1395. Website.

Cities and towns¶

Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.

Related guides¶

• Should I evacuate?
• What to expect at a hurricane shelter
• Hurricane supply list
• After a hurricane: the first 24 hours
• Insurance claims and disaster aid

Sources¶

Checked on September 30, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.

• https://www.putnam-fl.gov/departments/emergency-services/emergency-management/
• https://www.putnamsherifffl.com/reporting-a-crime
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• https://www.fl511.com/
• https://www.putnam-fl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Emergency_Shelters_May_2026.pdf
• https://www.putnam-fl.gov/departments/emergency-services/emergency-management/special-needs-registry/
• https://www.putnam-fl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Basic_Information_for_Sheltering_Pets.pdf
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