The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Marion County on Sunday near the intersection of W State Road 40 and NW 100th Avenue.

The City of Ocala is warning residents that the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season will begin this Saturday, June 1 and will run through Saturday, November 30.

While Ocala and Marion County do not have a coastline, the community can still experience freshwater flooding when tropical storms and hurricanes move across the Atlantic Ocean.

Earlier this year, strong storms and a tornado ripped through portions of Marion County, leaving a trail of damage in its wake. 

Storms that rolled through Central Florida left downed trees and power outages in Marion County, with one resident reporting seeing a tornado hit her farm off State Road 40.

The City strongly is encouraging residents to be alert, aware and to stay prepared this hurricane season.

“Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States,” said Payal Pandya, City of Ocala Stormwater Engineer and FEMA Community Rating System Coordinator.

“Even if a storm does not make landfall in Florida, it can still bring severe hazards to the state and your property. The City of Ocala strives to be prepared for severe weather events and works hard to keep our citizens safe and informed during such times,” added Pandya.

For storm preparation information, safety tips and more, click here.

For additional questions and more information regarding Ocala, please contact the city at 352-351-6733.