Seven additional public schools in Marion County will open this evening at 6pm to host residents evacuating due to Hurricane Milton. 

 

These additional schools include:

*Belleview Middle School (10500 SE 36 Ave., Belleview) 

*Forest High School (5000 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala)

*Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (365 Marion Oaks Dr., Ocala) 

*Lake Weir High School (PET FRIENDLY at 10351 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala)  

*Liberty Middle School (4773 SW 95 St., Ocala) 

*Madison Street Academy (401 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala) 

*North Marion Middle School (2085 W Hwy 329, Citra)

 

This brings the total number of school shelters in Marion County to 10 including these previously-announced shelters:

 

*Fort McCoy School (16160 NE CR 315, Fort McCoy) 

*Vanguard High School (PET FRIENDLY at 7 NW 28 St., Ocala) 

*West Port High School (PET FRIENDLY for special needs residents only at 3733 SW 80 Ave., Ocala) 

 

Shelters open to the public at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Those seeking shelter should bring their own medications, FOOD, and other essentials. Pet owners seeking shelter for animals should also bring their own pet supplies including crates. 

For more information, contact the Citizens Emergency Hotline at 352.369.7500.

Due to the current projected path of Hurricane Milton, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living in mobile homes, RVs, modular-type homes, and site-built homes constructed before 1994 within Marion County. 

Those living in these homes should know that if they remain in these locations, emergency personnel will not respond to their location until it is deemed safe to do so. Residents are encouraged to first seek shelter with family or friends living in a site-built home constructed after 1994 to ensure compliance with modern hurricane building codes. If that option is not available, Marion County has several shelters listed below for residents to utilize.

 

I75 heading North is congested all the way from Sarasota on up to Georgia as a massive evacuation attempt is underway especially from residents in Tampa.

If you decide to leave the area, another route may be a better option.

Make arrangements to not have electricity for an extended period of time. Pick up any prescriptions so you have them on hand in case the pharmacy is unable to open for a while.

Arrange alternate cooking methods. Fill your freezers with water jugs to help keep your food colder longer even without electricity.
 

As Hurricane Milton approaches, I want to take a moment to remind everyone how important it is to take this storm seriously. Now is the time to prepare—secure your property, gather any essentials, and make sure you have a plan in place.

 

At the same time, know that we’re all in this together. If the worst happens, we are here for each other as a community. Whether it's lending a hand with cleanup, sharing supplies, or just checking in, we will look out for one another. This is Ocala, it’s what we do.

 

Let’s prepare, stay safe, and be ready to help each other through whatever comes our way.