Hurricane Resources Collier and Lee Counties

Hurricane Preparedness ResourcesLiving in Southwest Florida means enjoying sunshine and coastal beauty year-round—but it also means being prepared for hurricane season. For individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s disease, preparation is especially important to ensure safety, continuity of care, and peace of mind.
The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) has gathered trusted resources, checklists, and emergency contacts for Collier and Lee Counties to help you prepare before, during, and after a storm. From evacuation routes and shelter locations to medical planning and utility contacts, these resources are designed to help you and your loved ones stay safe and connected when it matters most.
Being prepared is the best way to reduce stress and protect your health during hurricane season. Take time now to review the information below, make a plan, and share it with your family and care partners.

Collier County Resources
  • Emergency Alerts (Alert Collier):
    Sign up for real-time notifications via phone, email, or text.
    Website: Collier County Emergency Management—Hurricane Prep (Collier Clerk)
  • Evacuation Tools:
    Use the online tool to find your evacuation zone and nearest shelter. Includes pet-friendly shelter info. (Collier Clerk)
  • Special Needs Shelter Registration:
    Call Collier County Health Department's Disaster Preparedness program at 239-252-8200 or visit their site to register. (Florida Department of Health in Collier)
  • Right of Entry Form (Private Roads):
    Required annually for gated or private communities to allow debris removal access. Fill it electronically. (Collier County)
  • Hurricane Supply Kit Checklist:
    Includes essentials like water, non-perishable food, meds, flashlights, batteries, important documents (kept waterproof), cash, and pet supplies. (Collier Clerk)
  • Emergency Hotlines & Contacts:
    • General Emergency: 911
    • Collier County Emergency Hotline: 311 or 239-252-8444 (Byron Donalds)
  • Health and Public Safety:
    Florida DOH Collier Disaster Prep Hotline: 1.866.786.4673 (24/7) (Florida Department of Health in Collier)

Lee County Resources
  • Hurricane Preparation Guide:
    Includes evacuation zones, routes, shelters, technology like the LeePrepares app, and family planning tools. (Lee County Government)
  • Alerts & Apps:
    Download the LeePrepares app, sign up for AlertLee, or follow Lee County Public Safety on social media. (Lee County Government)
  • Emergency Contact Info:
  • Healthcare Planning:
    Lee Health’s checklist covers prepping medical docs and supplies, planning for power loss, and emergency plans. (Lee Health)
  • State Health Resources:
    The Florida Department of Health provides a public health emergency line: 800-342-3557, plus guidance on special needs shelters and early prescription refills during emergencies. (Florida Department of Health)

Additional Essential Resources
Preparedness Checklist at a Glance
  • Sign up for Alert Collier (Collier County) or AlertLee (Lee County)
  • Download emergency apps: Collier (Collier Cares), Lee (LeePrepares), FEMA App
  • Identify evacuation zones/routes and locate shelters (including pet-friendly)
  • Prepare home: trim trees, board windows, secure outdoor items
  • Assemble hurricane kit: food, water (1 gal/person/day), meds, documents, cash, pet supplies
  • Register for special needs shelter if applicable
  • Check insurance, document property with photos/videos, understand your coverage
  • Plan for power loss and early prescription refills (State DOH resources)
  • Gather emergency contact numbers – law enforcement, hospitals, hotlines
  • Ensure vehicle is fueled; have alternate evacuation routes ready
  • Post-storm: use FEMA assistance, legal aid, safe re-entry procedures, and support services

Quick Reference Contacts
  • Collier & Lee County Emergency (Police/Fire)911
  • Emergency Hotline311 / 239-252-8444
  • Storm Hotline: 211
  • Counties EM Office(239) 252-3600(239) 533-0622
  • Special Needs Registry DOH: 1.866.786.4673(see Lee Co Prep Guide online)
  • FEMA Assistance1-800-621-33621-800-621-3362
  • Legal Aid Hotline—1-866-550-2929
  • State Health EM—800-342-3557

Post-Hurricane Resources

AFTER THE STORM
Click the links below for Additional Recovery Resources:

POST HURRICANE EMERGENCY AND SUPPORT RESOURCES 

We will update these resources as information becomes available.

Post Hurricane Resources

 FEMA Assistance Programs

  • FEMA has many different types of housing assistance that it can employ, depending on the disaster-caused housing needs of affected individuals and households. Options may include Financial Housing Assistance (i.e., a grant of money) and/or Direct Housing Assistance (i.e., a place to live temporarily).
  • Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA app. For additional assistance, call 800-621-3362.

Apply for FEMA Disaster Aid

Housing Resources

  • If your home sustaines damage as a result of a storm, your local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program office may have recovery assistance available to help with temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal, and/or home repairs. Please contact your local SHIP office directly for more information: Local Government Information floridahousing.org
  • The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a list of open shelters: Shelter Index Information
    ​
Florida Housing Finance Corporation 
  • If your family has been displaced, we encourage you to visit www.FloridaHousingSearch.org. This free, statewide search platform is updated to ensure all listings are accurate and can help you quickly locate an affordable rental property. If you do not have Internet access, you may also call the following toll-free number for assistance in conducting a search: 877-428-8844.​
    ​
Senior Housing Solutions

State Assistance Hotline

  • The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting Florida.
  • SAIL hotline: 800-342-3557
  • During an emergency, the hotline is operational daily at set hours depending on the severity of the event.
  • Be sure to stay tuned to your local officials and/or log on to FloridaDisaster.org during an emergency event for exact hours of operation.

Traffic Conditions

Latest Florida Traffic ConditionsCheck out Florida 511

Evacuation Zones Collier County

MANDATORY EVACUATION OF ZONES:  Zone A and Zone B (which are mostly in District 1) are extremely vulnerable and will be the first to be impacted by flooding and storm surge.  
 
WHAT MANDATORY EVACUATION MEANS:  The County and Emergency Management highly encourage all who live in Evacuation Zones to move to higher ground as soon as possible.  Law enforcement will not be "forcing" people out of their homes in these zones… but the MANDATORY EVACUATION means if you decide to stay and later need any emergency assistance -- it may not be available.
 
POWER OUTAGES:  Please remember -- regardless of your Evacuation Zone -- if you require power for medical equipment or any type of life support… you should evacuate to a location where power loss is less of a possibility.  Areas near water or that are prone to power loss are well known.  If you live in one of those areas and require power for any special needs -- evacuate now.
 
PETS:  If you evacuate or relocate elsewhere… take your pets with you.

IMPORTANT HURRICANE RELATED INFORMATION

  • Below are links to information you may find helpful during weather related events in Southwest Florida.
  • Hurricane Preparedness Flyer (Collier Cares) English CLICK HERE​
  • Hurricane Preparedness Flyer (Collier Cares) Spanish CLICK HERE
  • Hurricane Preparedness Flyer (Collier Cares) Creole CLICK HERE
  • Collier County Safety and Preparedness: CLICK HERE​​​
  • Collier County Special Needs Shelter Program: CLICK HERE
  • State of Florida Guide to Hurricane Preparedness: CLICK HERE​
  • Florida Disaster: Plan and Prepare: CLICK HERE​

Local Resources

Below are links to local resources and information for emergency evacuation and shelter procedures.
For Lee County:  For Collier County: 

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Preparing for extreme weather is a burden for anyone in the path of a storm or fire. People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers should take these tips into consideration to ensure that all PD-related needs are accounted for when preparing for a hurricane or any other natural disaster:
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
  1. Check all your medications. Take inventory of all medications and reorder any that are running low.
  2. Write your medication list down. Write down or print a list of all your medications (not just PD medications). Print our customizeable medication form.
  3. Make a list of your doctors. Include their contact information and take the list with you if you need to evacuate your home.
  4. Download hospital safety materials. In the event you need to educate an emergency responder or health care professional about your PD needs, have your hospital safety guide ready to go. Download and print contents today.
  5. Gather water and food. Medications may require that they be taken with a meal or water. Buy enough water and food to last three to five days in the event of a weather emergency. 
  6. Have your Medical Alert Card handy. Print yours here. 
  7. Practice anxiety reduction techniques. Stress can worsen PD symptoms. Download a meditation app or distract yourself with books or activities.
  8. Know your nearest shelter. Visit the Red Cross website to find yours.
  9. Prepare for power loss and evacuation. Read our full article. 
List from the Parkinson's Foundation

SPECIAL NEEDS EMERGENCY RESOURCES

A Special Needs Shelter is designated for individuals with specific needs as defined in the Florida Administrative Code (Chapter 64-3):
"someone who during periods of evacuation or emergency, requires sheltering assistance, due to physical impairment, mental impairment, cognitive impairment or sensory disabilities."
Basic Eligibility Criteria:
  1. You have special medical needs.
  2. Your care requirements exceed the basic first aid available at general population shelters.
  3. Your impairments or disabilities are medically stable and do not surpass the capacity, staffing, and equipment of the special needs shelter, ensuring the maintenance of your pre-event health level.
Note: Having a disability does not automatically necessitate the use of a Special Needs Shelter. Many individuals with disabilities can be safely accommodated in a general population shelter. Ideally, the best places to shelter for every Floridian are:
  1. With friends or family.
  2. In a safe structure.
  3. Outside the evacuation area.
Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida 
2575 Northbrooke Plaza Drive
Suite#301, Naples, FL 34119
239-417-3465
Office@ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org
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Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 3 pm
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