As of 8 a.m., the National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Milton has maximum sustained winds over 125 mph and is expected to strengthen into a category 4 later today. The National Weather Service is advising of the possibility of at least several inches of rain in Marion County leading up to landfall later this week.
According to the NHC, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida sometime between Wednesday and Thursday.
Before it makes landfall, the hurricane is expected to produce rainfall and flooding, damaging winds, and storm surge to large parts of north, northeast, and north central Florida.
According to the NWS, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the hurricane will bring “periods of heavy rainfall” throughout Marion County and north-central Florida.
Predictive models from the NWS show that Marion County may receive as much as 10 to 15 inches of rain, but that the “most likely scenario” is that it will produce between 4 and 6 inches.
Additionally, the county is at a moderate risk for flooding rains over the next three days.
According to the NHC, Milton is moving toward the east-southeast near 8 mph. An eastward to east-southeastward motion is forecast through tonight, followed by a turn toward the east and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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.
Currently, hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Hurricane Milton, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
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.