Hurricane Nate: Mobile County Residents Can Go To These Shelters

MOBILE, AL — Hurricane Nate has its sights squarely set on Mobile and those who don't feel safe in their own homes can instead go to a shelter. Four emergency shelters opened Saturday morning in Mobile County.

Nate is headed for the Gulf Coast, expected to make landfall in Mobile tonight. The National Hurricane Center reported that the center of the storm is expected to come ashore very close to Alabama, which will put the state on the east side of the system, where the worst weather will likely be.

Residents fearing flooding or significant storm surge — and those living in mobile homes — can shelter in a safe location, emergency officials said on the state's website. One of the shelters is a special needs medical shelter. (For more information on Hurricane Nate and other Mobile stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The shelters are:

• Collins-Rhodes Elementary School at 5110 St. Stephens Rd. Eight Mile
• Theodore High School 6201 Swedletown Rd. Theodore
• North Mobile Middle School 1950 Salco Rd. Axis
• Burns Middle School 6175 Girby Rd. Mobile (special medical needs shelter)

Those seeking to go to the medical needs shelter must have one of the following conditions:

• Alzheimer’s
• Oxygen-dependent or on life support
• Chemotherapy, Stage 4

Patients should bring a caretaker if they have one, medical supplies and equipment, prescription drugs and nonperishable dietary foods.

Residents should bring snacks, medicines, sleeping bags or blankets, extra clothes, light folding chairs or cots, personal items (including books and toys), a radio with headphones or earphones, baby items, important documents (including insurance documents), valid identification, cash (secured), and a charged cellphone,

Booze, weapons, tobacco products and pets are not allowed at the shelters.

Shelters are for Mobile Residents with no other option for shelter or evacuation.

Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for Alabama effective Friday in anticipation of Nate's arrival. The National Weather Service reported at 1 p.m. Saturday that winds will increase this evening into Sunday morning across southwest Alabama, which will bring with it massive power outages throughout the state.

Image via Shutterstock