TS Idalia could make landfall during night of Aug. 29/30 as a hurricane - PREPARE NOW - take advantage of Florida's Sales Tax Holiday for disaster items
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Emergency Management Division wants to urge all citizens and businesses of Citrus County to make preparations for a potential hurricane strength storm impacting the West Coast of Florida. Thirty-three counties, including Citrus, Levy and Marion counties, have already been placed under a State of Emergency as a result of the storm.
Although this storm is still developing, and no definitive center has formed, the National Weather Service believes that we could experience the storms impact sometime Tuesday August 29, into Wednesday, August 30.
Based on best available information, it is predicted that counties along the coast may receive a catastrophic storm surge from 6-9 feet above ground level - which is greater than what was experienced in Hurricane Hermine.
Local government officials, including Cirus County's Emergency Management Division will meet on Sunday, Aug. 27, to discuss potential emergency actions.
Take advantage of Florida's Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: August 26, through September 8, 2023, to prepare for the storm. During this two week period of time, Florida residents can purchase items - free of Florida sales tax - to help them prepare them prepare for potential disasters.
ELIGIBLE ITEMS:
Items selling for $10 or less: Dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.
Items selling for $15 or less: Manual can openers, Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets, Cat litter pans, Pet waste disposal bags, Hamster or rabbit substrate.
Items selling for $20 or less: Reusable ice, Leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets, Pet pads.
Items selling for $30 or less: Laundry detergent and supplies: powder, liquid, or pod detergent; fabric softener; dryer sheets; stain removers; bleach; Toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins and tissues, facial tissues; Hand soap, bar soap, and body wash, sunscreen and sunblock; Dish soap and detergents, including powder, liquid, or pod detergents or rinse agents that can be used in dishwashers; Cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays, hand sanitizer; Trash bags.
Items selling for $40 or less: Portable self-powered light sources, Pet beds
Items selling for $50 or less: Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios; Gas or diesel fuel tanks Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only: AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt.
Items selling for $60 or less: Nonelectric food storage coolers; Portable power banks.
Items selling for $70 or less: Smoke detectors or smoke alarms; Fire extinguishers; Carbon monoxide detectors; Tarpaulins ("tarps") or other flexible waterproof sheeting; Ground anchor systems; Portable pet kennels or pet carriers; Dog or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds; Over-the-counter pet medications.
Items selling for $100 or less: Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage