The Marion County Board of County Commissioners declared a state of local emergency on Wednesday, November 9 in anticipation of the potential for severe weather resulting from Tropical Storm Nicole as it nears the Sunshine State.
This local state of emergency was issued after Marion County was listed by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order Number 22-255, which declared a State of Emergency to more than half of Florida’s counties.
A declaration of a local state of emergency provides the framework for coordination between agencies, as outlined in the county’s comprehensive emergency management plan. Marion County Emergency Management, a division of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, provides overall coordination of county response in emergency situations.
Marion County residents are encouraged to prepare by doing the following:
- Sign up for Alert Marion to receive emergency notifications via phone, email, or text message.
- Stay tuned for weather updates through weather alert radios, local media outlets, the county’s website, and county social media accounts.
- Visit the Marion County Emergency Management webpage to review additional tips and planning tools.
- Review disaster plans for your family, business, and property.
- Get your survival kit and important papers ready. Purchase any items that you will need to complete your survival kit now to avoid long lines and limited supplies – click here to view a checklist.
With the inclusion of Marion County in the declaration of a state of emergency, residents are now protected by the state’s price gouging law. Any residents who suspect price gouging can report it to the Attorney General’s hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.
The Marion County Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor Tropical Storm Nicole. Additional emergency preparedness measures and information are outlined below.
Sandbag Locations
Sandbags are available at the following locations in Marion County:
- On Wednesday, November 9, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park (800 NE Sanchez Avenue in Ocala).
- On Wednesday, November 9, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Belleview Sports Complex (6501 SE 107th Street in Belleview).
- On Wednesday, November 9, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dunnellon City Complex (11808 N Ohio Street in Dunnellon).
These sandbag locations are self-serve, and officials are asking that residents limit their consumption to 10 bags per vehicle.
Special Needs Shelter
Beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office opened its Multipurpose Room located at 3300 NW 10th Street in Ocala as a special needs shelter.
Citizen Information Line
The Marion County Emergency Management Citizen’s Information Line will be operational on Wednesday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Thursday, November 10, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For questions about Tropical Storm Nicole, Marion County residents can call the Citizen’s Information Line at 352-369-7500.
This information line is for non-emergency inquiries only. Call 911 for any emergencies.
City of Ocala Sanitation Collection
The City of Ocala will not have residential sanitation collection on Thursday, November 10. Sanitation collection will experience a one-day delay and will resume on Friday, November 11.