Irma revealed shelter space deficit in 9 of 11 Bay Area counties

TAMPA (FOX 13) - During Hurricane Irma, 200,000 people left their homes and went to shelters across Florida.

The 2018 Statewide Emergency Shelter Plan shows a deficit in shelter space and population size for 9 of 11 Bay Area counties.

Additionally, the Regional Planning Commission says the 11-county area around Tampa Bay is one of three state regions lacking in shelter space.

This year, agencies want to be ready in case another disaster strikes.

According to the report, if another storm like Irma hit, shelters in Bay Area counties would have to leave about 30,000 people to fend for themselves.

If disaster struck in Pasco County, emergency shelter space would not be able to accommodate around 12,000 people.

In Pinellas County, the shelter space deficit is listed at nearly 15,000.

The reports say public school buildings make up about 97 percent of all emergency shelters in Florida.

State law requires new school buildings to be built with shelter codes in mind, however, some older buildings are not up to these standards. 

The report recommends counties projected to have shelter deficits should find the funds to build or retrofit more public education buildings in order to meet their emergency evacuation shelter needs.