The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management is activating the Citizen Information Line for those who have questions about Hurricane Ian.
On Monday, September 26, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m., citizens with questions about Hurricane Ian can call the information line at 352-369-7500. The line will reopen at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27.
The Citizen Information Line is for non-emergency inquiries only. For emergencies, please call 911.
As of 11 a.m. on Monday, the center of Hurricane Ian is located approximately 100 miles west of Grand Cayman and is moving toward the northwest at around 13 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A north-northwestward motion is expected to begin later today, which will then be followed by a northward motion on Tuesday as Hurricane Ian emerges into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Ian is expected to pass to the west of the Florida Keys late on Tuesday, with the hurricane approaching the west coast of Florida on Wednesday into Thursday.
Rapid strengthening is expected over the next day or so, and Ian is forecast to become a major hurricane tonight or early on Tuesday morning as it nears western Cuba. Ian is expected to remain a major hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
Marion County Emergency Management officials are encouraging all residents to sign up for Alert Marion, the county’s alert notification system. Through Alert Marion, residents will receive the most up-to-date information and warnings on severe storms, tornadoes, and other life-endangering events that may occur in Marion County.
Those who are registered will receive Alert Marion notifications directly on their mobile devices via text messaging, email, or phone call. Marion County residents can click here to sign up for Alert Marion.