OCALA, Fla. – As Helene gets closer to the state, counties across Central Florida are preparing their emergency response.
On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order increasing the number of counties under a state of emergency to 61 ahead of the storm.
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Marion County’s Emergency Operations Center is planning to move to a “Level 2″ activation Wednesday.
Moore says people should prepare for the possibility of heavy rain and localized flooding.
“Let your past history be a good guide in this case,” said Moore. “If you know the area around your home floods, go ahead and prepare now.”
Garry Gabriel lives in Marion County and gathered sandbags at Ed Crosky Recreation Center in Ocala on Tuesday.
“We had a little flood a few weeks ago, as a precaution we may need a few,” Gabriel said.
There are maps on Marion County’s website that show designated flood zones and areas that are known to have localized flooding.
Chris Blankenship, who also lives in Marion County, prepared sandbags for his home.
“Our driveway we live on a cul-de-sac, driveway everything drains to our driveway from the cul-de-sac and even when we get the heavy downpours our driveway floods and it sometimes comes into our garage so just trying to prevent that as much as I can,” Blankenship said. “It’s very frustrating because we’ve put a brand new garage door on, we’ve put weather stripping down that’s supposed to stop it but once the water starts coming it’s nothing to stop it.”
Sandbag locations are open at the following sites across Marion County:
- Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala
- Ed Crosky Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala
- Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon
- Wrigley Field, 405 County Rd East 316, Citra
- John Van Fleet Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Ocala
- Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview
- Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave Rd, Ocala
- Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala (Behind the Community Center)
These locations are self-serve, shovels will be available at the sites, but citizens are encouraged to bring their own. Officials request that citizens limit their use to 10 bags per vehicle.
Donald William filled up bags Tuesday at Ed Crosky Recreation Center to protect his property near a retention pond.
“You never know how much rain you’re going to receive. So, you do this in advance just in case,” said William.
An emergency shelter will open at Westport High School, 3733 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, at 2 p.m. Wednesday for individuals with special needs. It will open to the public starting at 4 p.m.
In Sumter County, a self-service sandbag location is now open at Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreational Park, at 1589 CR-459 from now until 5 p.m.
The county serves as the lead for emergency management, operating sandbag facilities and emergency shelters for cities within Sumter County.
Wildwood’s City Commission planned on meeting Wednesday at 9 a.m. following the county’s local declaration.
A spokesperson for the city told News 6 Wednesday that personnel are preparing for the storm as they coordinate with the county’s emergency operations center.
To obtain the sand and sandbags, residents will need to provide proof of residence within Sumter County and should bring a shovel if they have one. Residents pick up sandbags, fill them, and place them in their vehicles. There is a 10-sandbag limit per vehicle.
“We are positioning ourselves in a state of preparedness, should a worst-case scenario develop,” said Jason McHugh, Wildwood’s city manager. “We hope for the best at times like these but need to take every step possible to protect the safety and wellbeing of our residents. Every storm brings unique challenges. We learn from each one and look to improve how we plan for and respond to the next.”
The city’s public works team is monitoring stormwater ponds and pumping them down as needed in areas that have experienced flooding. After Tropical Storm Debby earlier this year, they acquired additional pumps and generators, and they plan on using these resources to mitigate any flooding from Helene.
“We maintain an excellent working relationship with Sumter County officials and will remain in close contact as we monitor this weather system,” McHugh added. “If severe wind, rain, and/or flooding conditions develop in this area, we will work together to provide updates and resources.”
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