Citirus County, FL Hurricane Ian UPDATE #1, Sept. 26, 2022 pm
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency for Citrus County in anticipation of the impacts from Hurricane Ian. Our Emergency Operations Center is now at a partial activation. Information about the potential of shelters opening and possible evacuations will be forthcoming.
At this time, we are advising citizens to have a plan in place for if, and when Ian reaches Citrus County. Currently, our county is under a hurricane warning and a storm surge warning - tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 74 mph) are expected within our area within 36 hours and there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline.
Citrus could see some localized flooding with rainfall. However, this system is predicted to be slow moving through the Gulf of Mexico, causing a prolonged duration of serve weather to include rain and flooding. Again, if you live in an area that is common for flooding, please take appropriate precautions to protect yourself and your property. Citizens may view our county's evacuation zones here: https://cms5.revize.com/revize/citrus/divisions/bureau%20support%20operations/EM/evacuation-zones.pdf.
SANDBAG LOCATIONS
Full service sandbag locations are open today from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
4508 S. Grandmarch Ave. (near Grover Cleveland Blvd.), Homosassa, FL,
7490 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. (across the road from Dan's Clam Stand), Crystal River, FL
Two self-serve sandbag sites have opened at:
Bicentennial Park, 501 N. Baseball Point, Crystal River, FL
Floral Park, 9530 S. Parkside Ave., Floral City, FL
For more information on sandbag sites, please call 352-527-7610.
IAN'S TRACK
Ian's track remains unchanged, per the National Weather Services' briefing. We can expect the earliest possible arrival of winds tomorrow night, and storm arrival early Wednesday morning. Ian is currently forecasted to become a category four hurricane and Citrus should see tropical storm sustained winds and the possibility of an intense storm surge.
CITIZEN INFORMATION LINES
Our Citizen Information Lines are currently open at this time. Citizens can call (352) 249-2775 for information regarding Hurricane Ian and what they can do to prepare.
SCHOOLS
Citrus County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28th, and Thursday September 29th. After-school programs and extra-curricular activities are cancelled beginning Tuesday, September 27th through Thursday, September 29th.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
At this time, the following government offices are closed:
The Citrus County Property Appraiser's Office (closed Wed. & Thurs.)
Jury Duty for the Clerk of Courts is cancelled for tomorrow.
HOSPITALS ARE NOT SHELTERS
Additional info: Hospitals for those in medical need; hospitals are not a shelter. Citizens who anticipate having to evacuate should call the county information line at (352) 249-2775 to identify which shelter near them will be open and where the special needs shelter(s) will be located. Those requiring oxygen should contact their suppliers to obtain extra cylinders as needed ahead of time. The hospital must focus on its inpatients. Anyone who takes medications should obtain a sufficient supply from their local pharmacy ahead of time. The hospital will be unable to assist with medications except for patients.
CALL 911 ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY
Please ONLY use 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW OUR UPDATES REGARDING HURRICANE IAN.
Download the CCSO app and click on the Emergency Management feature to find preparedness info, shelter locations, evacuation maps, and more at the following locations:
Android devices:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocv.citruscountyflsheriff&hl=en_US&gl=US
Apple devices:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/citrus-county-sheriffs-office/id1481134574