Live updates on Thursday: Ocala and Marion County brace for Hurricane Helene
By Jim Ross and Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner,
23 days ago
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
Central Marion County, including Ocala, and western Marion were under a flood watch Thursday morning as Hurricane Helene continued moving toward Florida. "Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible," the National Weather Service said.
The advisory continues: "Widespread heavy rainfall falling over a short period of time is expected as Helene accelerates northward into the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday and eventually making landfall somewhere along the Panhandle of Florida on Thursday. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are predicted along the I-75 corridor and interior counties of southeast Georgia, some localized areas may receive higher amounts up to 8 inches."
In addition, western Marion remains under a hurricane watch and central Marion is under a tropical storm warning. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as the day goes on. Tune in here for the latest.
In a 9:20 p.m. Facebook post, the Marion County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management asked people to stay off the roads if at all possible.
"Marion County has begun experiencing the effects of Hurricane Helene. We’re receiving reports of trees and powerlines down, blocking several roadways," the post says. "Our crews are working around the clock to clear these hazards. If you see them working, please find alternate routes.
"Officials are encouraging citizens to exercise caution as the weather conditions continue to impact our county. If you don’t need to be on the roads, please stay indoors."
Call the Citizens Information Line at 352-369-7500 to report blocked roadways.
Marion County government; the city offices of Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon; the offices of the tax collector, property appraiser and health department; and the Marion County Judicial Center will be closed on Sept. 27. Marion County Public Schools also will be closed.
The lone shelter remains at West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Ave. County officials said 54 people were in the shelter as of Thursday afternoon. Of those people, 28 have special needs. Eleven animals (a rabbit, two cats and eight dogs) are at the shelter, officials said.
Any questions about the storm can be directed to the Marion County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at (352) 369-7500.
Officials said you should snap pictures of the damage once it's safe to do so. Make repairs like covering broken windows or roofs. If a residence is uninhabitable, then go somewhere that's safe.
To report damage to the Marion County Property Appraiser's Office, call (352) 368-8300, email damageassessment@pa.marion.fl.us, visit www.pa.marion.fl.us or download the app on a smartphone. It's important to report damages to your homeowner's insurance or, if you rent, to contact your landlord.
County fire rescue official said Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8, or FL USAR Task Force 8, made up of Marion County, Gainesville and Ocala Fire Rescue officials, left Thursday morning for Jacksonville to assist others with Hurricane Helene's expected damage.
The 28-member team brings four boats and 13 vehicles. It has the capabilities to do water rescues, search/rescue operations and structural damage assessments.
Officials at the shelter said as of mid-morning Thursday, 38 people were at the West Port High School shelter, which is the only one open in Ocala. Of the 38, 15 were clients with special needs. The shelter, which also acts as a pet friendly shelter, had five dogs and two cats.
As of 11 a.m. Thursday, traffic was heavy in some spots, such as State Road 40 and Southeast 17th Street. Despite the heavy rain, multiple business, like fast food restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, supermarkets and car repair shops, were busy with customers. Florida Highway Patrol troopers said they're working several crashes countywide with no serious injuries.
Marion county emergency management makes it seem like this storm is going to be the storm of the century when in fact all it is going to be is breezy and a little bit of rain. People are out there buying water, toilet paper and canned goods like there is tomorrow. Do people shit that much more during a storm, they must be buying all that tp
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