UPDATE 09.25.2024 - NOW A HURRICANE - Citrus County, FL: Preparation info for Tropical Storm Helene, as of Sept. 24
UPDATE 11:00 AM, 09/25/2024:
NOW HURRICANE HELENE
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management Division
Tropical Storm Helene is projected to make landfall on Thursday, September 26, 2024.NOW HURRICANE HELENE
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management Division
Citrus County Disaster Information
https://www.sheriffcitrus.org/public_info/disaster_information.php
Tropical Storm Helene information, as of September 24, 2024, 11:00 am
EXPECTED WEATHER IMPACTS:
10-15 feet storm surge.
3-6 inches of rainfall with up to 10 inches in certain areas.
Potential wind speed of 110 mph sustained along the coast and 73 mph inland.
Earliest Arrival Time:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, 7:00 AM
Most likely arrival time:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, 11:00 AM
EMERGENCY ORDERS AND EVACUATIONS:
Mandatory Evacuation For licensed Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities located in ZONE A ONLY: Wednesday, September 25, 8:00 am.
Those living within Evacuation Zone A or any structure countywide not capable of withstanding tropical storm force winds or greater: Wednesday, September 25, 2:00 pm.
Local State of Emergency Pending Citrus County BOCC board meeting September 24, 2024.
Map and Disaster Information - Disaster Guidebook and Evacuation Map:
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/citrus/divisions/bureau%20support%20operations/EM/DPG%2024%20-%20Citrus%20web.pdf
Citrus County GIS Address Lookup - Lookup address and view Evacuation Zone:
https://gis.citrusbocc.com/address-lookup.html
SHELTERS
The following shelters will open on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm; do not arrive earlier than that time.
General Population Shelters:
• Citrus High School
600 West Highland Blvd.
Inverness, Florida 34452
• Central Ridge Elementary School
185 West Citrus Springs Blvd.
Citrus Springs, Florida 34434
Special Needs Shelter:
• Forest Ridge Elementary School
2927 N. Forest Ridge Blvd.
Hernando, FL 34442
Pet Friendly Shelter:
• Renaissance Center
3630 West Educational Path
Lecanto, Florida 34461
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES:
For those in need of transportation, Citrus County Transit provides transportation at no cost to an open shelter or other safe location within Citrus County. To book transportation, please call: (352) 527-7630.
SIX (6) SANDBAG LOCATIONS:
The County has six sandbag sites available for citizens. There are both staff-assisted and self-serve options. Staff will be on-site at these locations to provide assistance:
• 4508 S. Grandmarch Ave. in Homosassa
• 7490 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. in Crystal River
STAFF-ASSISTED HOURS AT SANDBAG LOCATIONS:
Monday until 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 7:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
SELF-SERVE SANDBAG LOCATIONS - Self-Serve Sites are accessible 24/7 – please bring your own shovel(s).
• Homosassa Recreation Park, 4210 S. Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa
• Bicentennial Park, 501 N. Baseball Point, Crystal River
• Floral Park, 9530 S. Parkside Ave., Floral City
• Old Hernando Elementary School, 2435 N, Florida Ave., Hernando
For additional updates, please visit the Citrus County government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CitrusCountyBOCC/. Contact the Citrus County Road Maintenance Division with any questions at (352) 527-7610.
POWER OUTAGE MAP & REPORTING:
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Outage Map: https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/home
Duke Outage Reporting: https://outagereport.duke-energy.com/#/report-outage/home/find-account
Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SECO Energy)
SECO Outage Map: https://stormcenter.secoenergy.com/
SECO Outage Reporting: https://secoenergy.com/ors/
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC)
WREC Outage Map: https://withlacoochee.outagemap.coop/
WREC Outage Reporting: https://wrec.net/report-your-outage/
GOVERNMENT OFFICE / SCHOOL CLOSURES:
Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, City of Inverness and City of Crystal River:
Closed Wednesday 12 Noon. Closed Thursday. Friday hours to be determined.
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Administrative: 9-1-1 continues 24/7
Open Wednesday. Closed Thursday. Friday to be determined.
Citrus County School District:
There WILL BE school Wednesday. Closed Thursday and Friday
DAMAGE REPORTING & REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE:
To report damage or to request assistance: https://www.sheriffcitrus.org/divisions/bureau_of_support_operations/Severe_Weather_Damage_Report_Form.php
CITIZEN INFORMATION LINES:
The lines - call 352-249-2775 - will be open:
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm; Thursday and Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
SPECIAL NEEDS:
Register at the Special Needs Registry Link:
https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/Home/Index?ReturnUrl=%2FRegistrant
ALERTCITRUS SIGNUP:
To sign up or make changes to your account, visit: AlertCitrus at https://member.everbridge.net/892807736725586/new
FLOOD MITIGATION:
Citrus County Floodplain Management may be reached at: 352-527-5310. Visit the BOCC Floodplain Webpage at https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/growth_management/building_division/floodplain_management/index.php
FEMA APPLICATION & INFORMATION:
None at this time.
To apply for Federal Assistance:
Call FEMA’s hotline at 800-621-3362
Visit FEMA Application at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
Download the FEMA app from the Apple Store at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fema/id474807486
or Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android&hl=en-US.
LONG TERM RECOVERY GROUP:
A long-term recovery group (LTRG) is a cooperative body that is made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations working within a community to assist individuals and families as they recover from disaster. For assistance, call (352) 795-5483
WEATHER STATIONS:
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management maintains weather stations strategically placed to monitor weather conditions, especially during disasters or emergencies. These stations are connected to backup power and can provide vital information to first responders and the community. If you wish to view the weather station data at any time, please visit the following:
• Citrus County Courthouse - Inverness, Florida
https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddablePage/show/260dcad5f1614191b3bbea219e67fe9b/slim
• Emergency Operations Center - Lecanto, Florida
https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddablePage/show/ea3b57a32e484890a38b2e033ef76392/slim
• Crystal River Fire Department - Crystal River, Florida
https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddablePage/show/16f71e82616b43a28ecd43935faa46d3/slim
Links:
National Hurricane Center: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Tides: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/
National Weather Service Tampa Bay: https://www.weather.gov/tbw/
American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/
Citrus County Board of County Commissioners: https://www.citrusbocc.com/
City of Crystal River: https://www.crystalriverfl.org/
City of Inverness: https://www.inverness-fl.gov/
Citrus County School District: https://www.citrusschools.org/
Florida Department of Health in Citrus County: https://citrus.floridahealth.gov/
Salvation Army: https://citruscounty.salvationarmyflorida.org/
State of Florida Official Portal: https://www.myflorida.com/