UPDATE: As of now, all shelters are full with the exception of Good Samaritan shelters located at First Baptist Church, 200 W Central Avenue, Valdosta, and Lake Park United Methodist Church, 412 W Cotton Avenue, Lake Park.

There are no pet friendly shelters available at this time in Lowndes County. Pets are welcome at a shelter in Enigma, contact Berrien County EMA for more and in Thomasville, contact Thomas County EMA for more.

LOWNDES Co. – As Hurricane Matthew continues to hammer the Georgia and Florida coastlines, Lowndes County is hosting approximately 10,000 people seeking shelter from the storm.

Lowndes County Emergency Management estimates Lowndes County’s population has increased by 10,000 in since Thursday afternoon.

Several Red Cross and Good Samaritan Shelters have been established in the area:

Red Cross Shelters

Park Ave United Methodist is at capacity with 200 people
100 E Park Ave, Valdosta, GA 31602

Crosspointe Church is open
110 Northside Dr, Valdosta, GA 31602

Good Samaritan Shelters

First United Methodist is at capacity with 160 people
220 N Patterson St, Valdosta, GA 31601

New Covenant Church is almost at capacity with 100 people
3531 Bemiss Rd, Valdosta, GA 31605

Lake Park United Methodist is open
412 W Cotton Ave, Lake Park, GA 31636

First Baptist Church in Downtown Valdosta is open
200 W Central Ave, Valdosta, GA 31601

Red Cross shelters across the state are opened in conjunction with Georgia Emergency Management coordination and are required to have Public Health nurses, assistance from the Department of Family and Children’s Services, and have the ability to request assistance within the framework of disaster response.  There is also an approval process for opening and closing a Red Cross shelter so that people have an opportunity to move on.

Good Samaritan shelters are just that, opened usually by churches, civic organizations, etc. They are a group of generous volunteers that decide to pool their own resources to help out. If any evacuee is seeking assistance that a Good Samaritan shelter may not be able to provide, please seek out a Red Cross shelter.

Red Cross shelters in the area are also seeking immediate donations to help with the influx of evacuees.

“If citizens would like to donate canned goods or other non-perishable food items, they should be taken to Second Harvest, 1411 Harbin Circle.There has not been a request for clothing donations, but if that occurs, clothes should be taken to the Salvation Army,” said Red Cross Executive Director Terri Jenkins. “The shelters can always use individually wrapped, pre-packaged snacks and bottled water.  Anyone wishing to donate these items should drop them off at the Red Cross Operations Office, 509 North Patterson Street.”

According to the Tallahassee Division of the National Weather Service, our area is forecast to receive light winds up to 22 mph and one to two inches of rain.  While these are not winds of significance, coupled with the rain, they could blow over any trees that were damaged but did not fall during Hurricane Hermine.

While local hotels are full, there have been a few reports of price gouging.  Due to the current State of Emergency issued by Governor Deal, the response to price gouging is heightened.  Instances of price gouging should be reported to local law enforcement.

Due to the increase in population, citizens should expect increased traffic and longer wait times.  Please be a good neighbor, remain patient, and help out evacuee guests when you can. While a fuel shortage is not expected, please take only what you need and leave something for the next person.