In short
Palm Beach County’s Special Needs Shelter is for residents who depend on electric medical devices or supplemental oxygen, need help with daily living, or have progressive Alzheimer’s or dementia; a caregiver must come along. Apply online or by mail before a storm; questions go to the county’s Office of Emergency Management at 561-712-6400, and the county decides who is accepted. Then ask your Medicare plan or 1-800-MEDICARE how care and refills work if you evacuate.
A useful next step
- Check the shelter criteria with your doctor or home health agency: electric medical devices, oxygen, help with daily living, or progressive dementia with a caregiver.
- Apply to Palm Beach County Emergency Management online or by mail before a storm, and ask for transportation on the application if you need it. Questions: 561-712-6400.
- Ask your Medicare plan or 1-800-MEDICARE how care and refills work if you evacuate, and plan to bring your own medicines and supplies.
A question to keep
Ask Medicare or my Medicare plan about the problem getting care or prescriptions and the steps available now.
Questions people in Palm Beach County ask
- What does the special needs shelter provide?
- The county describes it as a refuge of last resort, not a medical facility, with physicians and nurses on staff, backup power and three meals a day. It does not provide medication, dialysis, oxygen or oxygen concentrators, so plan to bring your own medicines and supplies.
- What if I do not meet the shelter criteria but have no way to get to a shelter?
- The county says residents who live in an evacuation zone or mobile home park, are disabled and have no other transportation can register with Palm Tran at 561-649-9838, option 3, for the Special Transportation Assistance Program. It takes people to a general population shelter at no charge.
- What should I ask about Medicare before I evacuate?
- Ask your Medicare plan, or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you have Original Medicare, how care works away from home. Medicare says drug plans can help members in a declared disaster area find another pharmacy, replace medicine left behind or get a longer supply.
Official starting point
Read the official resource ↗Preparation guidance checked October 10, 2026. Ask the responsible service to confirm what applies to you.