Special Needs Shelters

In the event of a dangerous storm striking Louisiana this Hurricane Season, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and the Louisiana Department of Social Services are prepared to open Special Needs Shelters, or shelters of last resort for individuals with special medical needs who have no other options for care.

Because Special Needs Shelters can accommodate only a limited number of residents, DHH has established specific guidelines for determining who will be admitted to these facilities.

Following are several simple checklists that provide general information on Special Needs Shelters, including who qualifies for Special Needs sheltering, important phone numbers, and what to do in order to prepare for sheltering in a Special Needs facility:

Where will the Special Needs Shelters be located?

The initial locations are scheduled to be in Baton Rouge and Alexandria. Other subsequent locations are Shreveport, Monroe and, depending on the direction of the storm, Lafayette.

When will these shelters open?

The State Health Officer makes the decision to open Special Needs Shelters based on information received from the State Office of Emergency Preparedness as communities prepare to evacuate.

Who qualifies for a Special Needs Shelter?

Evacuees with any of the following could possibly qualify for a Special Needs Shelter:

Physical or mental handicaps that limit their ability to function on their own
Requirements for special equipment or medication to sustain life
A chronic, debilitating medical condition that requires intermittent assistance

Individuals will be triaged, or interviewed about their special medical needs and conditions, in order to determine eligibility for Special Needs Shelters. Those who think they may qualify for Special Needs sheltering will need to call one of the nine toll-free shelter hotline numbers listed below prior to an evacuation in order to be interviewed about their eligibility status. These toll-free shelter hotlines are NOT currently activated, but will be activated immediately before a storm. These shelter hotline numbers will also be published or broadcast through local media when they are activated.

Those who do not meet eligibility requirements will be referred to general shelters. Acutely ill individuals will be referred to local hospitals.

Special Needs Shelter hotline numbers:

New Orleans: 1-866-280-2068

Baton Rouge: 1-800-349-1372

Thibodaux: 1-800-228-9409

Lafayette: 1-800-901-3210

Lake Charles: 1-866-280-27 11

Alexandria: 1-800-841-5778

Shreveport: 1-800-841-5776

Monroe: 1-866-280-7287

Mandeville: 1-866-280-7724

What to bring to a Special Needs Shelter:

The patient and caregiver should bring supplies for roughly a five-day trip. These supplies should include:

Medications in their prescription bottles and all over-the-counter medications. Ask your pharmacist to print a list of your medications to bring with you.
Written instructions regarding medical care
Walker, wheelchair, cane or other special supplies and equipment such as a urinal
Special, non-perishable dietary foods, such as Ensure
Bedding, air mattress
Clothes
Personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, towels, etc.
Identification, medical insurance, social security cards and emergency contact information.
Drinking water (one gallon per day)
Extra eyeglasses
Flashlight and batteries
Garbage bags
Style and serial numbers for medical devices (such as pacemakers)
Food for guide or service dog (if applicable)

All medications and important paperwork should be placed in a water-proof container such as a zip lock bag or plastic container. Home Health and Hospice patients should bring their folders. Hospice patients need to bring DNR orders.

Due to limited space at the shelters, oxygen patients should make arrangements ahead of time with their suppliers to obtain oxygen concentrators.

One caregiver must stay with the patient within the shelter and only service animals are allowed to accompany the patient and caregiver. Since space is extremely limited and the caregiver will share a space with the patient, other arrangements should be made for other family members and pets.