As powerful Hurricane Milton draws closer to Florida, many local counties are opening emergency shelters today.

Ahead of Hurricane Milton’s west coast landfall in Florida later this week, some North Central Florida counties are announcing the opening of shelters for residents to be able to evacuate in time.ALACHUA COUNTYAlachua County Shelters:General Population/Pet-Friendly Shelter:Meadowbrook Elementary School,

Kathy Wilkins arrived at the Colonial High shelter Tuesday evening by Lynx bus, which was toting people free of charge. She usually sleeps under a highway overpass downtown. She was eager for a meal and relieved to be inside, she said.

There would be no mandatory evacuation orders in the Brevard County as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, Emergency Management Director John Scott said in a live media broadcast Tuesday morning. The county will open three hurricane shelters beginning at 9 a.

In preparation for Hurricane Milton, Pinellas County has opened six emergency shelters as of noon today, Oct. 7. The county has also issued mandatory evacuation orders for special needs residents in evacuation zones A,

Three shelters will open in Brevard County on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

Ocala/Marion County is gearing up for Milton, which was at hurricane strength Sunday and is expected to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alachua County does not expect storm impacts today. There is no need for local residents to shelter today. However, the County is opening shelters today to accommodate neighbors from the south who are evacuating.