CCSO Hurricane Idalia Update, 08/28/2023, 11:30 a.m.

Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Division has issued a lifesaving message: Hurricane Idalia is expected to impact Citrus County sometime Tuesday, August 28. Winds are predicted to be Category 3 Hurricane strength, which means 129 miles per hour winds, and catastrophic life-threatening storm surge up to 11 feet above ground level is expected.

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for all of those in Zone A. Zone A includes everything west of U.S. Highway 19 and portions east of Hwy 19.

If you do not know your zone, visit the Sheriff's social media pages, or go to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office website and look under the Emergency Management tab or visit this link: https://cms5.revize.com/revize/citrus/divisions/bureau%20support%20operations/EM/evacuation-zones.pdf

There is also a voluntary evacuation ordered countywide for those living in mobile homes, campers, recreational vehicles, tents, and structures not capable of handling Category 3 winds.

Take action now! This is a dangerous storm with extreme risk to life.

Citizens may view our county's evacuation zones here to determine if they are in this mandatory evacuation:
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/citrus/divisions/bureau%20support%20operations/EM/Citrus%20DPG%2023%20-%20Map-%20web_Page_12%20-%20Copy.pdf

In anticipation of the impacts of Hurricane Idalia, shelters will be opening later today.

The following shelters will be OPENING today, August 28, at 1:00 p.m.:

Central Ridge Elementary School (General Population) - 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34434

Citrus High School (General Population) - 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452

The following shelters will be OPENING today, August 28, at 4:00 p.m.:

Citrus Springs Middle School (General Population) - 150 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL 34434

Central Ridge Elementary School (General Population) - 185 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL 34434

Forest Ridge Elementary School (Special Needs) - 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442

Renaissance Center (Pet Friendly) - 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461

College of Central Florida (last resort option) - 3800 Ss Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461

Public shelters should be an option of last resort. Citizens should make all preparations to shelter with family or friends and exhaust all other options before utilizing a public shelter.

Sexual Offenders must report to the Citrus County Detention Facility to seek shelter if needed. The facility is located at 2604 W Woodland Ridge Dr., Lecanto, FL 34461.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center is currently at a partial activation. The possible impacts of Hurricane Idalia on our county are significant. At the moment, the goal of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management team is to preserve life and mitigate any sort of vulnerability our county may experience.

Please continue to take this weather event seriously and take the time now to get last-minute essential supplies.

Our Citizen Information Lines - (352)249-2775 - will OPEN today, August 28, at 12:00 p.m. noon. Citizens can call this number for information regarding Hurricane Idalia and what they can do to prepare.

Please ONLY use 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW OUR UPDATES REGARDING HURRICANE IDALIA.

Download the CCSO app and click on the Emergency Management feature to find preparedness info, shelter locations, evacuation maps, and more:
Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocv.citruscountyflsheriff&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1
Apple Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/citrus-county-sheriffs-office/id1481134574