Information from the Marion County Sheriffs Department as of 9:30 AM - 8/29/23
Sandbag Locations:
The following sandbag locations will be open from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, and from 7:00 a.m. until weather conditions prohibit operation on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Please note that all sandbag locations are self-service and 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
*UPDATE: Two new sandbag locations have been added. These locations will also be open until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, and from 7:00 a.m. until weather conditions prohibit operation on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Please note that all sandbag locations are self-service, you need to bring a shovel, but bags will be provided.
- Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, FL - Wrigley Fields, 405 County Road E 316, Citra, FL
Citizen information Line: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management will open the Citizen Information Line at 12:00 p.m. today. 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 will open today at 5:00 p.m.
- West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481
General Population Shelters: The following shelters will open to the public on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. * Pet-friendly shelter location.
- Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL - Horizon Academy, 365 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala, FL - * Lake Weir High School, 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL - North Marion Middle School, 2085 W Highway 329, Citra, FL - * Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL
School Closures:
Marion County Public Schools has announced that all public schools will be closed on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
Evacuation Recommendation:
The Marion County 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.
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 1 and possibly Category 2 by landfall. Marion County Emergency Management officials are urging residents to prepare now for an expected impact Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE CLOSURES:
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management and local government agencies have announced several closures that may affect some citizens. Please review the following closures: • Marion County Sheriff’s Office Central Operations building and district offices will close at noon on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and remain closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • Marion County Animal Services closed on Monday, August 28, 2023, and will remain closed until further notice. • Florida Department of Health in Marion County be closed on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • The Fifth Circuit Courts in Marion County will be closed on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • City of Dunnellon business offices will close at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and remain closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • The Federal Courthouse will close at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and remain closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • Marion County Property Appraiser will close at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and remain closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • Marion County Clerk of the Court will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • All Marion County offices and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • Ocala Police Department Headquarters lobby will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • City of Ocala business offices and public facilities will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • Marion Senior Services, including Marion Transit and dining sites, will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • SunTran bus routes will be suspended beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and remain closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • City of Ocala residential and commercial sanitation routes will be suspended on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. The suspended routes will experience a one-day delay. • City of Ocala Downtown Parking Garage parking restrictions will be lifted until Tuesday, September 5, 2023, which includes allowing visitors to park in the garage overnight.
Baseline Transfer Station and Recycling Center Operations: All Marion County Recycling centers and the Baseline Transfer Station will be open on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Recycle Centers and the Baseline Transfer Station will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, and reopen on Thursday, August 31, 2023.