BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief said Friday that the county is expecting extensive damage to be left behind by Hurricane Irma.
"This storm is very dangerous and we expect that extensive property damage, flooding and widespread power outages will occur," Sharief said.
The mayor said hurricane preparations should now be "finalized and in place."
County officials said the pet-friendly shelter at Millennium Middle School / Challenger Elementary School Campus in Tamarac filled to capacity ahead of the storm.
Officials were initially hoping that the Humane Society of Broward County could be an option, as they have sent their adoptable animals to California ahead of the storm, but they have also taken in animals from the Bahamas.
The county announced Friday that the shelter at Everglades High School at 17100 SW 48th Court in Miramar would welcome pets beginning at 1 p.m.
Pet owners are asked to bring in personal supplies, including pet food and a pet crate. Owners will be responsible for taking care of their pets while staying at the shelter.
Officials said they cannot allow pets at all shelters in the county because many people have allergies to animals.
Officials said all other shelters remain open with the exception of the shelter at Pompano Beach High School, which filled to capacity Thursday night.
Residents in need of shelter in Pompano Beach are asked to go to Lyons Creek Middle School at 4333 Sol Press Blvd. in Coconut Creek.
The Broward Sheriff's Office is helping the city of Deerfield Beach evacuate residents, including those in Highland Village, Pine Tree Park, Country Knolls, Breezy Hills and Tide Waters Friday until 5 p.m.
After 5 p.m., residents who wish to evacuate can call Broward County 311 for assistance.
Residents will be taken to the Monarch High School shelter in Coconut Creek. Residents who need transportation for immediate evacuation to a shelter are asked to call 954-571-2556.
As of 8 a.m., more than 3,300 people had registered at Broward County shelters. The shelters can hold 33,000 people in total, officials said.
County officials said Broward County Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule Friday and Express bus service will continue to operate. Routes 15, 23, 56 and 88 will run on a weekday schedule.
Tri-Rail service was suspended Thursday.
Officials said there will be no garbage, recycling, yard waste or bulk collection service after 1 p.m. Friday.
Below is a list of all shelters in Broward County:
- Lyons Creek Middle School, 4333 Sol Press Blvd., Coconut Creek
- Monarch High School, 5050 Wiles Road, Coconut Creek
- Coral Glades High School, 2700 Sportsplex Drive, Coral Springs (FULL)
- Fox Trail Elementary School, 1250 S. Nob Hill Road, Davie (FULL)
- Rock Island Elementary School, 2350 NW 19th St, Fort Lauderdale
- Atlantic Technical Center and Technical High School, 4700 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek
- Watkins Elementary School, 2310 NW 70th Terrace, Hollywood (FULL)
- Park Lakes Elementary School, 3925 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes
- Pompano Beach High School, 600 NE 13th Ave., Pompano Beach (FULL)
- Everglades High School, 17100 SW 48th Ct., Miramar (PET FRIENDLY)
- New Renaissance Middle School, 10701 Miramar Blvd.
- West Broward High School, 500 NW 209 Ave., Pembroke Pines (FULL)
- Planation Elementary School, 651 NW 42nd Ave., Plantation (FULL)
- Falcon Cove Middle School, 4251 Bonaventure Blvd., Weston
- Millennium Middle School/Challenger Elementary School Campus (PET FRIENDLY), 5803 NW 94th Ave., Tamarac (FULL)
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