A Red Cross phone app maps evacuation centers in Georgia during Hurricane Milton

Caption

A view inside a Red Cross evacuation center in Macon, Ga., on Oct. 9, 2024.

Credit: Grant Blankenship / GPB News

Those heading to Georgia can find safe locations to wait out whatever Hurricane Milton brings, but they may need to go a little farther. 

Often evacuees seek shelter in the Valdosta area, close to Interstate 75 and just over the Florida border, but that area is still trying to recover from Hurricane Helene. 

Suzanne Lawler, with the Red Cross, said one Florida family got directions to a center in Macon straight from the Red Cross app when one woman told her husband they were leaving immediately. 

“They drove 18 hours, and they were able to find the evacuation center on the app,” Lawler said, “and they drove right there.” 

"These life-saving evacuation centers are welcoming people to find shelter from the storm — and they have plenty of space," Lawler said.

People without a smartphone can also find a place to stay by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Evacuating with pets

​One of the reasons people choose to ignore evacuation orders is because they don’t want to leave their pets behind.  

Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations — though service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.

Still, Lawler said the Red Cross encourages people to bring their pets, especially with carriers, proper vaccination papers, and a leash. 

If one evacuation center won’t accept pets, Lawler said they will work with local partners to find safe places. 

“We know pets are important,” she said. "We know pets are part of our families. And we know that that is one of the No. 1 reasons people do not evacuate from a storm.” 

Aside from evacuation centers, the Red Cross website also recommends knowing which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. GEMA, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security agency recommends searching this list of the state's pet-friendly hotels or asking hotels with "no pets" policies if the policy can be waived in an emergency.

Financial and blood donations, as well as volunteering to help, are the best ways to help Red Cross efforts, Lawler said, but she noted they are not overwhelmed.  

“We are happy to help; we are a humanitarian organization,” Lawler said. “And, you know, this is what we are. This is what we do. We help people.” 

After the storm passes, the Red Cross will work with state and local partners to assess the need to open shelters.