OEM partners with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the American Red Cross (ARC) to operate Evacuation Centers (EC). These ECs provide refuges of last resort for those individuals who need to evacuate and are unable to make their own evacuation and sheltering arrangements, such as with friends, family, or in hotels outside of the evacuation zones.

During evacuations, Miami-Dade County also offers Pet Friendly Evacuation Centers for residents living in evacuation areas, unsafe structures or mobile homes. A family member must stay with the pet. For more information, call 311 or visit Animal Services Department's page on disaster preparedness for pets.