Emergency Shelters

Madison County Emergency Management, through a collaboration with the Oneida/Madison Chapter of the American Red Cross, has established emergency shelter agreements with numerous sites across the county to provide sheltering services during disasters.

Need for Shelter

During a disaster the need for emergency sheltering will be determined based on a number of considerations, such as environmental concerns, likely duration of the event, populations of those impacted and/or displaced, etc. Based on these concerns emergency management, local elected officials, and Red Cross Disaster Response staff will determine the appropriate shelter size, location, and type of sheltering to be opened, or you may be directed to shelter-in-place at your present location.

Announcements

Emergency Management will announce the method of sheltering utilizing a number of methods, such as the local news media, including television, radio, Internet and print media. We have also added a number of new technologies, these include the use of an official Madison County Emergency Management Twitter feed, NY-Alert, a web-based notification platform that can notify you via land-line or cell phone, text message, and emails. Subscribe with NY-Alert by enrolling online, or visit the Emergency Management website for up to date incident information.

Be sure to visit the Ready website for more details, below are tips regarding Mass Care Shelter and Sheltering In Place.

Mass Care Shelters

Even though mass care shelters often provide water, food, medicine and basic sanitary facilities, you should plan to take your disaster supplies kit with you so you will have the supplies you require. Mass care sheltering can involve living with many people in a confined space, which can be difficult and unpleasant. To avoid conflicts in the stressful situation, it is important to cooperate with shelter managers and others assisting them. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages and weapons are forbidden in emergency shelters and smoking is restricted. Learn more by visiting Disaster Assistance.