The Panthers also bought 30 cots for themselves and anyone who may get stranded.
"I just think it's important for the Panthers to be leaders and stewards in the community and physically be here with the cops and firefighters and commissioners," Caldwell told NHL.com. "When you're on the ground with people, you never know what's going to happen."
The arena's location is relatively safe, with the benefit of the Everglades on one side and about 20 miles of land between it and the ocean on the other to potentially slow the storm.
"We just feel like, of course, safety is important, we want to make sure our team is good, but just as important is trying to assist," Caldwell said. "We're a professional sports franchise with great fans and great people that have always supported us, so we wanted to be there for the community. So we'll be out there trying to help out and volunteering and doing whatever we can."
Hurricane Wilma, the last major storm to hit South Florida, in October 2005, was responsible for 87 deaths and caused $2 million in damage to BB&T Center.
BB&T Center has established a hotline at (954) 835-8911 that will have the most up-to-date information regarding the building.
Fans are encouraged to visit
Broward County's Hurricane Irma website)
to learn more about hurricane shelters, guides and information. Weather information and updates can be found at the
National Hurricane Center's website
or the
