Mandatory evacuations ordered, shelters open in Citrus County

INVERNESS, Fla. (WFLA) — Citrus County will open four emergency shelters ahead of Hurricane Milton and mandatory evacuations have been ordered, the county announced Monday.

Mandatory Evacuations

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for all residents in Zone A and all Citrus County residents in campers, mobile homes, manufactured homes, or any structure not capable of withstanding sustained winds of up to 110 mph. The order goes into effect on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Emergency Shelters

The following shelters will open beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday:

• Central Ridge Elementary School (General Population) – 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34434
• Citrus High School (General Population) – 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452
• Forest Ridge Elementary School (Special Needs) – 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442
• Renaissance Center (Pet Friendly) – 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461

Citrus County Transit provides transportation at no cost to an open shelter or other safe location within Citrus County. To book transportation, call (352) 527-7630.

Citrus County

The Citrus County School District has canceled classes for Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.

All after-school extracurricular activities are also canceled.

Schools will be open Monday and all after-school activities, YMCA before and after-school programs, and sports will run as normal.

Sandbag Sites

All sandbag sites are self-serve and residents are asked to bring their own shovels.

• Homosassa Recreational Park (4210 S Grandmarch Ave)
• Floral Park (9530 S Parkside Ave, Floral City)
• Old Hernando Elementary School (2435 N Florida Ave)
• Bicentennial Park (N Baseball Point, Crystal River)

Residents can call 352-527-7610.

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