MARION COUNTY TROPICAL STORM IDALIA UPDATE
President Biden spoke with Gov. DeSantis yesterday and assured him that the federal government will fully support Florida in preparation of the tropical storm Idalia and its aftermath.
Declaring an emergency allows Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate relief and provide needed assistance.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management is now at a level 2 activation and is continually monitoring the development of Tropical Storm Idalia.
Here’s what you need to know:
Sandbag Locations: The following sandbag locations will be open today from 7:00 a.m. until weather conditions prohibit operation. Please note that all sandbag locations are self-service but bags will be provided.
- Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th Street, Belleview FL
- Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick Street, Dunnellon, FL
- Ed Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth Street, Ocala, FL
- Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL
- Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Avenue, Ocala, FL
- Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Avenue, Ocala, FL
Citizen information Line:
Please call 352-369-7500 with questions related to Tropical Storm Idalia. We are asking that citizens use this line for non-emergency inquiries only.
As always, please call 911 for emergencies.
Shelter Information:
Special Needs Shelter: The special needs shelter is open
- West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481
General Population Shelters: The following shelters will open to the public as of 8:00 a.m.
* Pet-friendly shelter locations:
- * Lake Weir High School, 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL
- * Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL
No pet shelter locations are:
- Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL
- Horizon Academy, 365 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala, FL
- North Marion Middle School, 2085 W Highway 329, Citra, FL
Emergency Management officials encourage citizens to bring supplies to the shelters to last for 24-48 hours, such as clothing, bedding, medications, food, water, etc.
If you are bringing your pet(s) to one of the pet-friendly shelters, they must be caged and you will be required to provide recent immunization documentation. Please bring whatever supplies are needed for your pets to be self-sufficient, and please pick up after them as well.
School Closures: Marion County Public Schools has announced that all public schools will be closed today and tomorrow.
Evacuation Recommendation: The Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management recommends evacuation to citizens west of Interstate 75 who live in a mobile home, RV, or other substandard housing. This recommendation does not apply to site-built frame or concrete block homes unless there are existing structural integrity issues or the possibility of flooding as flash flooding is expected along the west coast of Florida, the panhandle, and areas of southern Georgia.
Additional Information: All indicators are currently predicting that residents in the Dunnellon area will have an 82% chance of experiencing tropical storm conditions. Forecasters are expecting Hurricane Idalia to potentially reach Category 2 or 3 by landfall. Marion County Emergency Management officials are urging residents to prepare now for an expected impact this afternoon continuing on through early Wednesday morning.
We strongly recommend staying off the roads if at all possible, to avoid debris and to make way for emergency vehicles or linemen.
Stay tuned for more updates as this storm develops.
