Five public shelters will be opening at 4 p.m. on Monday in Walker County for those in need of a safe location to stay as Hurricane Irma passes through the area.
Walker County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) will handle staffing at the following shelters:
· Walker County Civic Center, at 10052 North Highway 27 in Rock Spring (this shelter will be equipped to handle crated animals)
· Fire Station 14, at 11471 East Highway 136 in Villanow
· Cedar Grove Community Center, at 5423 W Cove Road, Chickamauga
Good Samaritan shelters will also be established at the following locations:
· Elks Lodge, at 3158 N Highway 27 in LaFayette
· Old Doctor's Office at the end of Highway 2, at 2367 Chattanooga Valley Road in Flintstone
Those in need of help getting to a shelter should call 706 375-7810 for assistance. This number should also be used to report non-life threatening events, such as downed trees and blocked roads.
In addition, all county buildings will close at 3 p.m. on Monday, and will not reopen until 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Walker County Emergency Services will also open an Emergency Operations Center at the 911 Center in Rock Spring at 6 p.m. for county and city services to coordinate operations during this potential weather event.