Due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Idalia, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management and local government agencies have announced multiple closures that may affect some citizens.
As of 4 p.m. on Monday, Idalia was located around 35 miles south-southwest of the western tip of Cuba. The tropical storm is heading north at a speed of 8 miles per hour, and its maximum sustained winds have increased to 70 mph, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.
The National Hurricane Center states that Idalia will rapidly strengthen, becoming a hurricane on Monday night and a major hurricane by late Tuesday.
Due to the approaching storm, the following closures will be in effect in Ocala/Marion County:
Marion County
- The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Central Operations building and district offices will close at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and remain closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- Marion County Animal Services is closed on Monday, August 28, and will remain closed until further notice.
- The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will be closed on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.
- The Fifth Circuit Courts in Marion County will be closed on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.
- City of Dunnellon business offices will close at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and will remain closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- The Federal Courthouse will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and will remain closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- The Marion County Property Appraiser will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and will remain closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- The Marion County Clerk of the Court will be closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- All Marion County offices and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, August 30.
City of Ocala
- The Ocala Police Department Headquarters lobby will be closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- City of Ocala business offices and public facilities will be closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- Marion Senior Services, including Marion Transit and dining sites, will be closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- SunTran bus routes will be suspended beginning at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and will remain closed on Wednesday, August 30.
- City of Ocala residential and commercial sanitation routes will be suspended on Wednesday, August 30. The suspended routes will experience a one-day delay.
- City of Ocala Downtown Parking Garage parking restrictions will be lifted until Tuesday, September 5, which includes allowing visitors to park in the garage overnight.
Baseline Transfer Station and Recycling Center Operations
- All Marion County Recycling Centers and the Baseline Transfer Station will be open on Tuesday, August 29. These facilities will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, and will reopen on Thursday, August 31.
Shelters in Marion County
- A special needs shelter is currently open at West Port High School (3733 SW 80th Avenue in Ocala).
- The below-listed general population shelters will open to the public at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29:
- Forest High School (5000 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala).
- Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (365 Marion Oaks Drive in Ocala).
- Lake Weir High School (10351 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala). This location is pet friendly.
- North Marion Middle School (2085 W County Road 329 in Citra).
- Vanguard High School (7 NW 28th Street in Ocala). This location is pet friendly.
- The MCSO Sexual Offender and Predator Unit (3300 NW 10th Street in Ocala) will be closed to the public at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and it will be opened as an emergency shelter for registered sexual offenders and predators.
- Sexual offenders and predators at this shelter should bring any prescribed medication, along with food, snacks, a pillow, blanket, sleeping bag, and hygiene items. Three meals will be provided daily.
- No medical marijuana, alcohol, or weapons are allowed.
- Once inside the shelter, sexual offenders and predators will not be able to leave until the storm passes and it is safe to travel. They will not be able to bring any guests to the shelter.
- If the storm increases in severity, this shelter will move to the Marion County Jail. In the event the shelter moves to the jail, tobacco products and cellphones will not be allowed.
Stay Informed
The Marion County Division of Emergency Management has activated the Citizen Information Line so that residents can call and ask questions about Tropical Storm Idalia. Those with questions can call the line at 352-369-7500.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management asks that citizens use this line for non-emergency inquiries only. In the event of an emergency, call 911.
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.