A hurricane warning is now in effect for central, eastern, and western Marion County for Hurricane Milton, which has maximum sustained winds of over 180 mph as of 5:30 p.m., and Marion County officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living in mobile homes and RVs.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management division issued the mandatory evacuation order this afternoon.
The county is advising residents who live in mobile homes, RVs, modular-type homes, and site-built homes constructed before 1994 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 building codes. If that option is not available, Marion County has several shelters listed below for residents to utilize,” reads the statement from the county.
Earlier today, the National Weather Service announced flood and hurricane watches in western, eastern, and central Marion County.
The hurricane watch has been upgraded to a hurricane warning. While a hurricane watch means that conditions are possible, a hurricane warning means that conditions are expected.
In addition to the flood watch and hurricane warning, the NWS is advising that tornadoes are possible within the “outer rainbands” through Wednesday night.
Currently, hurricane-force winds extend outward around 30 miles from Hurricane Milton’s Center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
As of 5:23 p.m., Hurricane Milton was 740 miles southwest of Ocala.
The NWS says the strong winds from the hurricane may leave “mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.” They say some mobile home parks may be “uninhabitable for weeks.”
As of 5:00 p.m., Ocala and Marion County have the “potential for wind from 74 to 110 mph,” with the NWS advising residents to plan for “life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force.”
On Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced that various highways will open their shoulders to help facilitate evacuations for the hurricane.
“Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) plans are actively being put in place for Eastbound I-4 and portions of Northbound I-75. Law enforcement and signage will alert motorists on when to enter and exit the shoulder,” reads a statement from FDOT.
Locally, Marion County officials have provided several resources and updates for local residents.
Marion County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of the hurricane.
The county will open several shelters in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Citizens with special dietary needs should bring a supply of food with them.
– Special Needs Shelter: West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala, will open at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Small pets are also allowed into the shelter with proper documentation.
– Pet-Friendly Shelter: Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL 34475, will open at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
– General Population Shelter: Fort McCoy School, 16160 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, FL 32134, will open at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
Sandbag sites opened at 7 a.m. this morning across the county. According to the county, bags will be provided at the self-serve locations and a limited number of shovels will be available. Residents are encouraged to bring their own equipment if possible. Officials request that each person limit their use to 10 bags per vehicle. Here is a complete list of the sandbag sites:
– Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala, FL
– ED Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala, FL
– Jervey Gantt Park- 2200 SE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
– Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon, Florida 34431
– Wrigley Field, 405 County Rd East 316, Citra, FL
– John Van Fleet Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Ocala, FL
– Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview FL
– Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave Rd, Ocala, FL
– Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, FL (Behind the Community Center)
The Marion County Emergency Management Citizen’s Information Line will open Monday, October 7, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For non-emergency inquiries related to the weather event, please call 352-369-7500. For emergencies, always dial 911.
A note from the Editor:
Ocala-News.com will provide details on Hurricane Milton preparation, closures, and updates from the National Hurricane Center every few hours as Hurricane Milton nears. As the storm passes through, we will share information on power outages, storm-related damages, and updates from emergency agencies. Check back on Ocala-News.com for updates in the coming hours.