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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Marion County announces government office closures for Tropical Storm Nicole

The Marion County Division of Emergency Management has announced closures for several government offices and services in preparation for Tropical Storm Nicole.

The Marion Emergency Management Operations Center is now at a Level 2 – Partial Activation and is continuing to monitor Nicole’s progress toward Marion County.

As of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nicole is located approximately 135 miles to the east of West Palm Beach and is moving toward Florida’s east coast at a speed of 13 mph. The storm’s maximum sustained winds are just shy of hurricane strength at 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Nicole November 9 2022 4 p.m. update from National Hurricane Center
Tropical Storm Nicole’s forecast track as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center)

Due to the approaching storm, the following closures are in effect in Ocala/Marion County:

Marion County

Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller:

  • The Clerk’s office will be closed on Thursday, November 10, and will remain closed on Friday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
  • Normal operations are expected to resume on Monday, November 14 at 8 a.m.

City of Ocala

Business Offices:

  • All city business offices will be closed on Thursday, November 10, and will remain closed on Friday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
  • Regular hours of operation will resume on Monday, November 14.

Recreation Parks:

  • All City of Ocala recreational parks will be closed on Thursday, November 10.
  • The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park will be closed beginning on Thursday, November 10. The park will reopen once any potential damage has been assessed and it is safe for the public to access it.

Ocala Police Department:

  • Ocala Police Department Headquarters will be closed on Thursday, November 10.

SunTran Bus Systems:

  • SunTran bus systems will be closed on Thursday, November 10, but will resume on Friday, November 11.
  • SunTran’s normal hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sanitation Collection:

  • Residential and commercial sanitation routes will be suspended on Thursday, November 10.
  • Commercial sanitation routes will be suspended due to GFL waste management facility closures on Thursday, November 10.
  • Both residential and commercial routes will resume on Friday, November 11.

State Attorney’s Office

The State Attorney’s Office will be closed on Thursday, November 10.

Stay Informed

The Marion County Division of Emergency Management has activated the Citizen Information Line so residents can call and ask any questions they have about Tropical Storm Nicole. Those with questions can call the line at 352-369-7500 until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9,  and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Emergency Management officials are also encouraging residents to click here to sign up for the alert notification system, Alert Marion.

Through Alert Marion, residents can receive the most up-to-date information and warnings on severe storms, tornadoes, and other life-endangering events that may occur in Marion County. Notifications will be sent directly to your mobile device via text messaging, email, or phone call.