The American Red Cross – in partnership with multiple government and community agencies – is opening the first two emergency evacuation shelters in Macon-Bibb County to assist people leaving areas ahead of Hurricane Irma.
 
The first shelter will open at East Macon Recreation Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard) on Thursday, September 7, at 4:00 p.m., and the second will open at Theron Ussery Recreation Center (815 North Macon Park Drive) on Friday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. All recreation activities at these centers are cancelled until the need for the shelter has passed.

Neither of the shelters at the recreation centers are able to take in animals.  A pet shelter will open at the Macon State Farmers Market (2055 Eisenhower Parkway) on Thursday, September 7 at 4:00 p.m. People can drop off their animals with Animal Welfare staff, and can then check in and stay at one of the recreation center shelters. They will be able to visit and spend the day with their animals, but people will not be able to sleep overnight at this shelter.
 
Gary Wheat, President and CEO at the Macon-Bibb Convention and Visitors Bureau, says all our hotels in Macon-Bibb are at capacity already. They’re keeping track of our local hotels and will inform people who call if any rooms open. Wheat also says people can visit http://irma.georgia.org to keep track of where in the state places have open hotel rooms for evacuees. To reach the CVB, visit https://www.visitmacon.org.
 
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling the interstates more due to the increased number of cars driving through the county as people evacuate the coastal areas. They are urging people to drive with extra caution during this time and to expect travel delays throughout the state.