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With reports that Marion County could possibly be hit hard by Hurricane Irma, are mandatory evacuations being ordered for Marion County and communities like Ocala and Salt Springs?
The answer: For some people, but all should seek shelter now, especially if you live in southwest Marion County. There was a hurricane warning in place for the entire county on September 9.
Regarding mandatory evacuations, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department announced: “Due to the current projected path of Hurricane Irma, Marion County Emergency Management officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living in mobile homes and modular-type homes within Marion County. Emergency Management officials urge those living in these type homes to be evacuated by 8:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 9, 2017.”
On Saturday September 9, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department urged: “THIS JUST IN: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT URGES SW MARION COUNTY RESIDENTS TO SEEK SHELTER. Due to recent weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service, officials with the Marion County Division of Emergency Management have developed great concern for the area of southwest Marion County during Hurricane Irma. The National Weather Service is expecting the areas of Dunnellon, Rainbow Lakes Estates and the State Road 200 corridor to experience hurricane force winds that could reach up to 110 mph beginning Sunday morning. Residents in those areas are strongly encouraged to seek safe shelter with family or friends, or at one of our designated shelters in Marion County. There is still a mandatory evacuation order in place for all Marion County residents living in mobile or modular type-homes. Emergency Management officials urge those living in these type homes to be evacuated by 8:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 9, 2017.”
The Sheriff’s Department provided updated shelter information for Marion County.
“The following shelters are open in Marion County in preparation for Hurricane Irma:
General Population Shelters:
North Marion Middle School (2085 W Highway 329, Citra)
Fort McCoy School (16160 NE Highway 315, Fort McCoy)
Lake Weir High School (10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala)
Forest High School (5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala)
Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary (4397 SW 95th Street, Ocala)
Belleview Middle School (10500 SE 36th Avenue, Belleview)
Madison Street Academy (401 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Ocala)
Dunnellon High School (10055 SW 180th Avenue Road, Dunnellon, Opening at 1:00 p.m. Saturday)
Special Needs Shelters:
Belleview High School (10400 SE 36th Avenue, Belleview – Special Needs ONLY)
West Port High School (3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala- Also a general population shelter)
Pet-Friendly Shelter:
Vanguard High School (7 NW 28th Street, Ocala)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SHELTERS:
West Port High School can no longer accept electric dependent special needs individuals. Electric dependent individuals should go to Belleview High School instead so their need s can be accommodated.
Special needs individuals can contact the Citizens Information Line at 352-369-7500 to arrange transportation to a shelter, if necessary. If sex offenders or sex predators need to evacuate, they are encouraged to first seek shelter with family or friends, in a non-residency restricted area. If that is not an option, they must report to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender /Predator Unit office for shelter. There will be law enforcement presence at all shelters for extra security. Shelters will remain open for intake until the weather worsens and winds exceed 35-40 mph.”
On September 8, Marion County announced: “MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ORDERED FOR MOBILE HOMES AND MODULAR-TYPE HOMES IN MARION COUNTY. Due to the current projected path of Hurricane Irma, Marion County Emergency Management officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living in mobile homes and modular-type homes within Marion County. Emergency Management officials urge those living in these type homes to be evacuated by 8:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 9, 2017.”
The County added: “Those living in these homes should know that if they remain in these locations, that 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. If that option is not available, Marion County has several shelters listed below for residents to utilize.”
The Sheriff’s Department has also advised: “Special needs individuals can contact the Citizens Information Line at 352-369-7500 to arrange transportation to a shelter, if necessary. If Sex Offenders or Sex Predators need to evacuate, they are encouraged to first seek shelter with family or friends, in a non-residency restricted area. If that is not an option, they must report to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender /Predator Unit office for shelter.”
Emergency Management officials are encouraging citizens to bring supplies with them to the shelters to last them for 24-48 hours, such as clothing, bedding, medications, food, water, etc. If you are bringing your pet(s) to the pet-friendly shelter, they must be crated and you will be required to provide recent immunization documentation. Please bring whatever supplies are needed in order for your pets to be self-sufficient, and please pick up after them as well.
Registered sex offenders and predators are required to report to the Marion County Jail for sheltering. There will be law enforcement presence at all shelters for extra security.”
In its evening update on Friday, the Sheriff’s Department wrote, “HURRICANE IRMA FRIDAY EVENING UPDATE. The National Hurricane Center has released this latest model of Hurricane Irma’s potential path. We are encouraging our residents to prepare for severe weather to include flooding and high winds. Ten hurricane shelters are open in Marion County at this time. Sandbag locations at the MCSO District Offices and within the City of Ocala will be operational into Saturday as well. Residents are encouraged to call the Marion County Emergency Management Citizen’s Information Line at 352-369-7500 if they have questions or concerns about Hurricane Irma. Visit www.marionso.com or follow this Facebook page to stay updated on the storm!!”
The Sheriff’s Department also wrote on September 8: “MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSINGS ANNOUNCED All Marion County Public Schools will be closed Friday, Monday and Tuesday, September 8-12, 2017 in preparation for Hurricane Irma.”
According to Gainesville.com, “The National Hurricane Center on Thursday evening changed the predicted path of Irma, saying it expects the powerful hurricane to crush the southern tip of Florida and head north up the spine of the peninsula, with the eye of the storm traveling over far eastern Marion County. Forecasters project that the new track could mean that far eastern Marion, near Salt Springs, could experience 100 mph wind, with higher gusts. Areas in eastern Alachua County near Orange Heights could experience 75 mph wind early Monday if the forecast track holds.”
National Hurricane CenterThe latest map of Hurricane Irma as of 11 a.m. on September 9.
See the Ocala area weather forecast here. See the radar for the area here.
Check out the Saturday forecast for Ocala:
Ocala Saturday forecast.
In addition, “Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods is strongly encouraging all residents to restrict travel on our roadways beginning at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 10, 2017, due to the potential for high winds. If winds exceed 45 mph, first responders will not be permitted to use their vehicles to answer calls for service,” the department wrote. “Residents will also not be permitted to travel on certain bridges if high winds occur. The State Road 40 and the County Road 316 bridges over the Ocklawaha River will be closed to traffic if winds sustain 35 mph. In case of emergency travel, Sharpes Ferry Road may be used as an alternative route if the aforementioned bridges close.”