What he said. Sorry didn't see previous post.

I agree with your thoughts and I feel ownership of the beautiful rec centers and the wallpaper and it is one of the things that I enjoy very much about this place. That is not a bad thing. It is the same kind of pride people feel about golf courses and folks not replacing divots or driving their cars on them.

Are they in an evacuation zone, for the villages that would be a manufactured home? Gov said to call:

"Governor Rick Scott tweeted Friday, saying anyone in an evacuation zone who does not have a way to evacuate should call 1-800-342-3557"

Are they in Sumter County

From the Sumter County Emergency Management:

Sumter County, FL - Official Website

" staff will be assisting with the Emergency Operations Center and assisting customers by phone through the week. For assistance or more information, please contact 352-689-4400 and leave a message. Due to call volume, there may be a delay in response. "

Wildwood Community Center is a special needs shelter. I don't know how to contact them.

Gracie, dear, I'm guessing you're close to the lake. Is that correct? Are you up high? Be safe, dear.

Human life is much more important but most can agree no shelter for pets and residents who have been told to evacuate is problematic in The Villages. If a decision must be made to leave their pets it's hard but still the right decision.

That said, hopefully friends and neighbors can take these pets and Village neighbors into a safe place.

How kind of you, Oakley.

Did anybody ever say there is no use rushing into things? Your mom and dad you say?

Its is never a human OR pet situation. Its the government opening up unused space. There is a ton of space. We aren't getting in a lifeboat.

Never herd of a shelter turning people away because "fluffy" was taking their spot. Gee, wallpaper was damaged so don't allow it's use as a shelter?? This storm will definitely open a discussion of shelters in The Villages. With all the facilities we have, certainly quite a few could be shelters, and with proper pre-planning some pet shelters. If this doesn't happen, shame on the Developer.

Well, no. Shame on the County EMAs if they're not prepared. That's our tax dollars at work. If there aren't enough government facilities available, they should have made arrangements with churches, etc. a long time ago. Preparedness plans should be tested at least once/year.

If there were an event that necessitated the use of our rec centers to shelter our populace there is NOTHING the developer could do to stop it. People will do what is necessary to survive and take care of each other during an emergency. No worries, the rec centers will be available to all.

Just to follow up. I heard about the wall paper from a person who is in the know in Sumter County's emergency planning. I think this person is reliable and the story was told me a couple years ago. Janet Tutt's recent comment on the site that shall not be named

I don't know what the "good reasons" are, she does.
Lastly there have already been stories of people being turned away from a pet shelter if they showed up there with no pet! Many shelters are full. The Sumter County Special Needs shelter in Wildwood was over its capacity by 8 PM last night with more clients expected over night and today. So there is not always more room.

As to churches, they may not be hurricane safe, lots of windows or they may just not have staff and have real insurance concerns. I am not going to second guess why a particular church is open or closed, but it might be they expect the civil authorities to be able to handle this kind of emergency.