During a Category 2 hurricane, inland shelters may be opened depending on the severity of the storm and the opinion of emergency officials. Residents must leave the area. Coastal area residents can go to any activated inland shelter. Activated shelters will be announced when local officials issue mandatory evacuation orders. If demand exceeds capacity, additional shelters will be opened in secondary communities.
All shelters are along major evacuation routes.
Sheltering issues Public shelters offer relative safety and a minimal level of comfort. You should use them only if you have nowhere else to go. But they are always safer than staying at home. Most of the public shelters Chatham County residents are likely to use will have an accompanying animal shelter for pets. There will be no pet shelters in Chatham County during a hurricane.