10/08/2026
The City of Atmore Severe Weather Shelter will officially open tomorrow, Friday, October 9, 2026, beginning at 12:00 PM (Noon) for individuals seeking shelter during the approaching severe weather event. The shelter is located at the City of Atmore City Hall Auditorium.
There are several important things you should know before arriving, including rules and regulations that will be strictly enforced throughout the duration of shelter operations.
The Atmore Police Department will have officers present at the shelter to provide security, maintain order, and ensure the safety of everyone utilizing the facility.
While the complete shelter rules will be outlined under the ###X section of this post, we want to emphasize several important requirements:
NO ALCOHOL: Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited inside the shelter.
NO ILLEGAL DRUGS: Illegal narcotics and controlled substances possessed unlawfully will not be permitted.
S*X OFFENDER RESTRICTIONS: Individuals convicted of certain s*xual offenses will be accommodated in accordance with applicable Alabama law. Special restrictions, designated areas, and additional supervision may apply to ensure compliance and the safety of all occupants.
BRING YOUR MEDICATIONS: Individuals are responsible for bringing their own prescription medications and necessary medical supplies. Please ensure you have enough medication for the anticipated duration of the weather event.
FOOD & PERSONAL NECESSITIES: Individuals should bring their own food, beverages, hygiene products, and other essential personal items. Do not assume these supplies will be provided at the shelter.
MANDATORY REGISTRATION: All individuals entering the shelter will be required to complete a registration process and provide identifying information. This process is necessary for accountability, emergency coordination, and the safety of shelter occupants.
SECURITY SCREENING: All individuals and personal belongings entering the shelter will be subject to security screening and inspection in accordance with applicable law and shelter procedures.
LET US BE VERY CLEAR: Do not bring prohibited items into this facility. If you are carrying illegal substances, weapons prohibited by shelter rules, or other unlawful items, understand that law enforcement officers will be present and violations may result in enforcement action.
The shelter is being opened to provide a safe environment for individuals and families during a potentially dangerous weather event. Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone seeking protection. We ask that everyone cooperate with shelter personnel, follow all posted rules, and treat others with respect.
We understand that severe weather can be stressful, but preparation, cooperation, and common sense will help us get through this event safely.
Stay safe. Stay prepared. Look out for one another, and let's get through this together.
-APD
#########X SHELTER RULES #########XX
CITY OF ATMORE
EMERGENCY STORM SHELTER RULES
The City of Atmore Emergency Storm Shelter is operated for the protection of persons seeking refuge from severe weather and other declared weather emergencies.
The safety of all occupants, shelter personnel, law-enforcement officers, and emergency responders is the primary consideration during shelter operations.
Entry into the shelter constitutes agreement to comply with shelter rules and reasonable instructions given by shelter personnel or law-enforcement officers.
SHELTER REGISTRATION
Every person entering the shelter shall check in with the officer or employee assigned to shelter registration.
Upon entry a sign will be posted all parties using the storm shelter are subject to search and state no weapons on Property.
The shelter registration will consist of a form that will be completed by the attendee and signed.
A person who does not possess identification will not be denied emergency protection solely because physical identification cannot be produced, but information will be obtained.
Parents or legal guardians should provide identifying information for minor children accompanying them.
Registration information is collected for emergency accountability, identification, reunification, medical/emergency notification, shelter security, and legitimate law-enforcement purposes.
Shelter registration records shall be maintained securely and shall not be displayed or made unnecessarily accessible to other shelter occupants.
IDENTIFICATION AND SAFETY SCREENING
Because the shelter is located within or associated with a law-enforcement facility, shelter personnel may take reasonable measures to verify the identity of persons entering the facility and maintain the security of the shelter.
When operationally feasible, APD personnel may check identifying information through law-enforcement databases available to the Department for a lawful law-enforcement or facility-security purpose.
A person's prior criminal history alone shall not automatically result in denial of lifesaving shelter during dangerous weather.
S*X-OFFENDER DISCLOSURE
Any person who is currently required to register as a s*x offender under Alabama law or the law of another jurisdiction shall disclose that status to the APD officer conducting shelter registration.
The disclosure shall be made privately whenever reasonably possible during the registration process.
APD personnel may verify registration status through available law-enforcement or s*x-offender registration databases.
All felony offenses of S*x Crimes will be required to stay in a separate location other than that of the general population where minors will be present within prohibited hours outlined by Alabama State Law.
S*x-offender status shall not be unnecessarily announced or disclosed to the general shelter population.
DESIGNATED S*X-OFFENDER SHELTER AREA
A registered s*x offender who seeks emergency shelter at the City of Atmore will be provided protection from the weather emergency; however, the individual will not be housed in the general shelter area with non-s*x-offender shelter occupants.
Registered s*x offenders will be assigned to a separate designated shelter area located within the property in compliance with Alabama Statute.
This separation is intended to maintain shelter safety, provide appropriate supervision, and reduce contact between registered s*x offenders and minors or other members of the general shelter population prohibited by Alabama State Law.
CHILDREN
Minor children shall remain under the supervision of their parent, guardian, or responsible accompanying adult.
Children shall not be permitted to wander throughout the Police Department or enter restricted portions of the facility. No person under the age of 19 years old will travel within the shelter alone without their guardian responsible for them.
Parents and guardians remain responsible for the supervision and conduct of their children while occupying the shelter.
WEAPONS
Except for authorized law-enforcement personnel, fi****ms or other weapons shall not be openly handled, displayed, or used inside the shelter.
Any weapon brought onto Police Department property is subject to applicable law and facility-security procedures.
Persons entering secure areas of the Police Department shall comply with lawful instructions concerning weapons.
ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS AND INTOXICATION
Alcohol and illegal controlled substances are prohibited within the shelter.
Smoking, va**ng, and to***co use are prohibited inside the facility.
Possession or use of illegal drugs may result in appropriate law-enforcement action.
A person who appears intoxicated shall not automatically be placed outside during dangerous weather. Officers will determine the appropriate safe location for the individual based upon behavior, medical condition, shelter safety, and available resources.
DISORDERLY OR DANGEROUS CONDUCT
The following conduct is prohibited:
• Fighting.
• Threatening another person.
• Harassment.
• S*xual misconduct.
• Theft.
• Property damage.
• Unlawful possession of controlled substances.
• Interfering with emergency personnel.
• Entering restricted areas.
• Refusing reasonable safety instructions.
• Conduct that creates a substantial threat to shelter occupants or emergency operations.
Law-enforcement action may be taken when probable cause exists to believe a criminal offense has occurred.
When weather conditions make removal unsafe, disruptive individuals who are not subject to arrest may be separated from the general population until conditions permit another safe disposition.
MEDICATIONS AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Shelter occupants are responsible for bringing necessary prescription medications and essential medical equipment whenever possible.
Prescription medication should remain in the possession of the person to whom it is prescribed or the responsible caregiver.
Any medical emergency shall immediately be reported to the shelter officer.
The shelter should not be represented as a medical shelter unless specifically designated and staffed for that purpose.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Occupants are responsible for their personal property.
The City of Atmore and Atmore Police Department cannot guarantee the security of personal belongings brought into the shelter.
Walkways, emergency exits, doors, and designated emergency areas shall remain unobstructed.
RESTRICTED AREAS
Shelter occupants shall remain within areas designated for public sheltering.
Entry into restricted areas is permitted only when authorized or escorted by APD personnel.
ENTRY AND EXIT
All persons entering or leaving the shelter shall notify the shelter officer so the shelter accountability log remains accurate.
The officer shall document the person's:
Time In: __________
Time Out: __________
Once weather conditions become dangerous, occupants will be strongly discouraged from leaving the shelter.
No person will be physically prevented from leaving unless there is an independent lawful basis for detention.
EMERGENCY AUTHORITY
These rules may be temporarily modified by the Chief of Police, or ranking APD supervisor when necessary to protect human life or respond to circumstances not reasonably anticipated by this policy.
Preservation of human life takes priority during an immediate severe-weather emergency.
Nothing in these rules authorizes an officer to arrest, detain, search, restrain, or otherwise deprive a person of liberty without lawful authority.
