Evacuees should bring comfort and essential living items with them to American Red Cross shelters. 

Hurricane Matthew evacuees that are traveling to any of the American Red Cross shelters throughout the state are encouraged to bring comfort, hygiene and essential living items with them in case the evacuation period should last longer than anticipated.

Evacuees should pack the following essential items in case the evacuation period is lengthy:

· Required medications

· Adequate clothing

· Hygiene products

· Pillows

· Blankets

Individuals and families should attempt to make plans to stay in hotels, with family, friends or other trusted loved ones living outside evacuation areas.

For those that cannot find hotel lodging in the Midlands, we recommend visiting www.airbnb.com to find appropriate lodging offered by Midlands residents, as mentioned by Gov. Nikki Haley during her Wednesday morning address to the state.
In accordance with Red Cross shelter guidelines, there will be no animals allowed inside of the shelter.
Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas. Identification and rabies tags should be attached to the pets’ collars.
The following Lexington area hotels offer pet-friendly lodging:
Quality Inn & Suites (328 W. Main St., US Hwy. 1 & 378, Lexington, SC 29072)
· Rodeway Inn Airport (500 Chris Dr, West Columbia, SC 29169)
· Red Roof Inn (10 Berryhill Rd, Columbia, SC 29210)
· Comfort Inn (911 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210)
· Hyatt Place Columbia/Harbison (1130 Kinley Road, Irmo, SC 29063)
· Quality Inn Harbison (499 Piney Grove Road, Columbia, SC 29210)
· Quality Inn (2516 Augusta Road, West Columbia, SC 29169)
· Doubletree by Hilton (2100 Bush River Road, Columbia,SC 29210)
· Extended Stay America (450 Gracern Road, Columbia, SC 29210)

White Knoll High School is operating as the only shelter opened at this point in Lexington County. It is located at 5643 Platt Springs Road, Lexington, SC 29073 and has a maximum capacity of 2,602 occupants. The shelter is staffed by Red Cross volunteers and Department of Social Services employees. The shelter will be able to provide food.
Residents and evacuees are urged to also monitor the County’s website (lex-co.sc.gov) and social media channels (Twitter: @CountyLex; Facebook: County of Lexington) updated County information throughout the storm.