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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Marion County Board of County Commissioners declares state of local emergency

The county commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution declaring a state of local emergency in Marion County.

The proclamation, which was made during the Marion County Board of County Commissioners regular meeting on Tuesday, is in response to the EF-1 tornado that passed through parts of the county on Saturday, March 12.

The tornado had wind speeds of up to 110 miles per hour and it tore through parts of Marion County. Businesses and homes were damaged along State Road 200 and near I-75 on-ramps.

The estimated property loss in Marion County has exceeded $15.6 million, which includes real estate loss, debris removal, and personal property loss. This number is still expected to rise as damage assessment continues throughout the affected areas.

On March 13, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 22-56, declaring a state of emergency in four counties: Clay, Highlands, Putnam, and Marion. The state of emergency mobilizes personnel and funds to assist the affected counties as needed.

Marion County’s state of emergency proclamation allows for the following:

  • Mounir Bouyunes, the County Administrator, may waive competitive bidding requirements for emergency needs such as debris removal and cleanup activities necessitated by the storm.
  • The County Administrator also may begin working with Preston Bowlin, the Marion County Director of Emergency Management, to prepare requests for reimbursement from the state from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund or other state funds that may be available for emergency requests.

Following the successful passage of the proclamation, the state of emergency immediately goes into effect. Florida Statute subsection 252.38(3) states that “[t]he duration of each state of emergency declared locally is limited to seven days.”

The county commissioners also unanimously voted to provide contracted debris pickup for the unincorporated parts of Marion County that were in the pathway of the tornado. Debris must be located in the rights-of-way. The date of pick up will be determined and noticed accordingly to the areas that are affected.

There were no injuries or loss of life reported due to the tornado. Several local businesses and charity organizations have volunteered their time, services, and money to assist Marion County residents who experienced property damage or the loss of their home.