****UPDATE: Orange County officials said in an update on Wednesday that the shelters would open at 6 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. Chatham County, meanwhile, has delayed the opening of two shelters until 7 p.m. Thursday.****
Two emergency shelters will open in Orange County ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Florence later this week.
County officials said Tuesday that the shelters at Smith Middle School in Chapel Hill and CW Stanford Middle School in Hillsborough will open at 4 p.m. Wednesday. That opening time was changed to 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Shelters will have food and water, according to a release, but will not have easy access to medications.
If you need to access the shelter, county officials ask that you bring the following items: insurance information, bedding, towels, comfortable clothing, personal radios with headphones, games or reading materials and specialty items you might need.
Officials said do not bring weapons, illegal drugs, candles or valuable. Smoking is not allowed inside the shelter.
Service animals will be allowed in the shelter. Other pets will be allowed at the shelter with proper rabies vaccinations. Officials ask that, if possible, you bring a three-day supply of the pet’s food. Pet owners are asked to bring the pet’s full vaccination record and a photo of yourself with your pet.
Livestock, wildlife, amphibians, reptiles, fish, spiders or large domesticated birds will not be allowed at the shelter.
Animal Services staff will be on site as well to assist in boarding pets “in the best manner possible.”
Chatham County is opening two shelters at Northwood High School and Chatham Middle School at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
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