As of 2 p.m., Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph. The National Weather Service has issued hurricane and flood watches for Marion County and also warns of the possibility of tornadoes.
On Monday, the NWS in Jacksonville issued a hurricane watch and a flood watch for eastern, central, and western Marion County, including Anthony, Burbank, Ocala, and Weirsdale.
The flood watch is in effect until Thursday afternoon and the hurricane watch is in effect as of this morning. The hurricane watch means that “hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within the area within the next 48 hours,” according to the organization.
The NWS says that Hurricane Milton will create “sustained tropical force winds” with the possibility of “frequent hurricane force gusts” across Marion County and north central Florida from Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday morning.
As of 2 p.m., the eye of the hurricane was located about 700 miles southwest of Tampa. It is currently moving east at 9 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center of the hurricane, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
The hurricane is forecast to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula today and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday.
As of 10:59 a.m., the NWS estimates gusts will peak locally in Marion County between “30-40 mph, with some gusts to 65 mph.” The NWS also reports that tornadoes are possible within the outer rainbands through Wednesday night over portions of north Florida, including Marion County.
The National Hurricane Center reports Hurricane Milton will make landfall along the west coast of Florida sometime between Wednesday and Thursday.
Before it makes landfall in Florida, the hurricane is expected to produce rainfall and flooding, damaging winds, and storm surge to large parts of north, northeast, and north central Florida.
Another local update will be provided for Marion County and north central Florida later this evening at around 5:30 p.m.
Local officials have provided several resources and updates in the past 24 hours.
On Sunday, Marion County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of the hurricane.
Sandbag sites opened at 7 a.m. this morning across the county. According to the county, bags will be provided at the self-serve locations and a limited number of shovels will be available. Residents are encouraged to bring their own equipment if possible. Officials request that each person limit their use to 10 bags per vehicle. Here is a complete list of the sandbag sites:
– Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala, FL
– ED Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala, FL
– Jervey Gantt Park- 2200 SE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
– Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon, Florida 34431
– Wrigley Field, 405 County Rd East 316, Citra, FL
– John Van Fleet Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Ocala, FL
– Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview FL
– Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave Rd, Ocala, FL
– Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, FL (Behind the Community Center)
The county will open several shelters in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Citizens with special dietary needs should bring a supply of food with them.
– Special Needs Shelter: West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala, will open at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Small pets are also allowed into the shelter with proper documentation.
– Pet-Friendly Shelter: Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL 34475, will open at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
– General Population Shelter: Fort McCoy School, 16160 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, FL 32134, will open at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
The Marion County Emergency Management Citizen’s Information Line will open Monday, October 7, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For non-emergency inquiries related to the weather event, please call 352-369-7500. For emergencies, always dial 911.
A note from the Editor:
Ocala-News.com will provide details on Hurricane Milton preparation, closures, and updates from the National Hurricane Center every few hours as Hurricane Milton nears. As the storm passes through, we will share information on power outages, storm-related damages, and updates from emergency agencies. Check back on Ocala-News.com for updates in the coming hours.