Pittsburgh Stadiums Designated as Emergency Shelters for Extreme Weather

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Four stadiums across the United States, including Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, have been designated as potential emergency shelters to assist communities during extreme weather events. This initiative comes from a new collaboration between the National Football League (NFL) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The selected stadiums, which will serve as “Mission Venue Ready” locations, include Acrisure Stadium, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Lumen Field in Seattle, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is currently under review for potential inclusion. These venues will be utilized during events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasized the importance of these large facilities, stating, “During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornadoes, we’ve seen how large music, sports, and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities.” She also encouraged other sports venues to join in this effort.

To be designated as an emergency location, stadiums must be centrally located, easily accessible via major roadways, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and capable of supporting community needs during disasters. NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier highlighted that “Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters.”

The roles of these stadiums as emergency shelters become even more pertinent as Hurricane Helene has made landfall as a Category 4 storm, prompting communities in Florida and along the Gulf Coast to brace for potential threats. It remains unknown if Raymond James Stadium will be activated during this storm.

Historically, NFL stadiums have provided shelter during disasters, notably during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when the Superdome sheltered tens of thousands of evacuees. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many stadiums adapted to serve as mass vaccination centers, administering over a million doses.

The Mission Ready Venue designations will be reviewed every five years, with annual checks on their readiness and preparedness for emergencies.