As Tropical Storm Idalia churns in the tropics, Sarasota and Manatee county shelters are opening to the public ahead of the storm, which has the potential to become a major hurricane prior to making landfall.

Both counties emphasize that public shelters should be a last option and that it's always recommended to stay with family and friends, if possible, when you're told to evacuate.

Stay tuned to local media and the counties' websites for the most-to-date information ahead of a storm or emergency event. Visit SCGov.net or My Manatee.org for the most up-to-date information on shelters and other storm-related information.

For information on how to prepare to bring your pet with you to a shelter, click here.

Sarasota County Emergency Shelters

Evacuation Centers will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. All Sarasota County shelters are pet-friendly.

Atwater Elementary School

4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port

Booker High School

3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota

Brookside Middle School

3636 S. Shade Ave., Sarasota 

Fruitville Elementary School

601 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota

Gulf Gate Elementary School

6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Road

Heron Creek Middle School

6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port

North Port High School

6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port

Phillippi Shores Elementary School

4747 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Riverview High School

1 Ram Way, Sarasota

Southside Elementary School

1901 Webber St., Sarasota 

Taylor Ranch Elementary School

2500 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice

Woodland Middle School

2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port

Manatee County Emergency Shelters

Manatee County shelters will open at 2 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2023.

Braden River Middle School (Pet Friendly)

6215 River Club Blvd., Bradenton 

Braden River High School

6545 SR 70 East, Bradenton 

Buffalo Creek Middle School

7320 69th Street East, Palmetto

Daughtrey Elementary

515 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton

Freedom Elementary School

9515 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

Gullet Elementary School

12125 44th Avenue East, Bradenton

Haile Middle School

9501 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

Harvey Elementary School

8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish

Jain Middle School

12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton

Johnson K-8

2121 26th Ave. E., Bradenton

Kinnan Elementary School

3415 Tallevast Road, Sarasota

Lee Middle School

4000 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton

Manatee High School (Pet Friendly)

1000 32nd Street West, Bradenton

McNeal Elementary School

6325 Lorraine Road, Bradenton 

Miller Elementary School

4201 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton

Mills Elementary School (Pet Friendly)

7200 69th Street East, Palmetto 

Myakka City Elementary School

37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City 

Oneco Elementary School

5214 22nd Street Court East, Bradenton

Prine Elementary School

3801 Southern Parkway, Bradenton 

Rodgers Garden Elementary

515 13th Ave West, Bradenton

Seabreeze Elementary School

3601 71st Street West, Bradenton

Tillman Elementary School

1415 29th Street East, Palmetto 

Williams Elementary School

3404 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish

Willis Elementary School

14705 The Masters Avenue, Bradenton 

Witt Elementary School

200 Rye Road, Bradenton