Over 40,000 residents are without power in Marion County due to Hurricane Helene, which brought heavy rains and left debris scattered across the area en route to being downgraded to a tropical storm.
Tropical Storm Helene is currently located about 100 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia and about 190 miles north-northwest of Jacksonville.
The National Hurricane Center is reporting that the storm has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It is currently moving north at 30 mph.
As of 5 a.m., all Hurricane warnings have been discontinued along the Florida east coast, south of the Flager/Volusia County line.
Currently, a tropical storm warning is still in effect for central, eastern, and western Marion County.
Last night, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management reported that it was receiving alerts of trees and powerlines down, blocking several roadways.
“Our crews are working around the clock to clear these hazards. If you see them working, please find alternate routes,” reads a statement made late last night by MCSO.
Outage maps produced by Ocala Electric Utility and other power companies serving the area show that tens of thousands of individuals across Marion County are currently without power.
Before the hurricane, power companies staged thousands of workers and trucks to respond to potential outages. Those crews have been working since late last night to restore power throughout Ocala and Marion County.
According to OEU, just under 8,000 of their customers are still without power due to 167 outages as of 6:15 a.m.
SECO is similarly reporting at least 1,700 customers being without power as of this morning.
Clay Electric is reporting just under 9,000 are still without power, which represents over 50% of their customers in the county.
To report a power outage, call one of the following numbers:
- Ocala Electric Utility – 352-351-6666
- Duke Energy – 800-228-8485
- SECO – 352-237-4107
- Clay Electric – 888-434-9844
- Withlacoochee River Electric – 352-795-4382
If your property has sustained damage due to Hurricane Helene, residents are encouraged to take photographs and document the damage as safely as possible. Make emergency repairs such as covering broken windows and damaged roofs and, if the home is uninhabitable, seek safe lodging elsewhere.
To report damage to the Marion County Property Appraiser, file a report at the Marion County Property Appraiser Damage Assessment website or call 352-368-8300.
Do you have photos of storm debris or damage? Share your photos by contacting us.