MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – The Salazar family didn't wait around in Homestead. They were the first to arrive at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exhibition shelter that opened Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Enrique Salazar said he still remembers the Hurricane Andrew catastrophe, so when they couldn't find a hotel room they knew what to do. Andrew, a Category 5 storm that stuck South Florida 25 years ago, was a traumatic experience for him.
"We don't want to go through that experience again you know," Salazar said.
Miami-Dade County opened four shelters Wednesday ahead of Mayor Carlos Gimenez's order to evacuate coastal areas in Zones A and B.
The family brought their 6-year-old dog Pookie and their 1-year-old dog Riley. The shelter at 10901 Coral Way, in Miami-Dade, is the only pet-friendly shelter in Miami-Dade.
Here is a list of the shelters in Miami-Dade County:
North Miami Beach Senior High at 1247 NE 167 St.
South Miami Senior at 6856 SW 53 St.
Felix Varela Senior at 15255 SW 96 St.
The Miami-Dade County Fair and Exhibition at 10901 Coral Way, in Miami-Dade's Tamiami area. This shelter welcomes one pet per evacuee.