Hurricane Ian: Emergency Information for Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion counties
As Tropical Storm Ian continues its ways across the Caribbean, it is expected to strengthen into a powerful hurricane. Florida is now within the so-called "cone of uncertainty."
As Floridians continue to prepare for a possible tropical system, here is the emergency information to know in Alachua County, including evacuations, road closures, school closings, and where to get sand and sandbags. As additional information comes into the FOX 51/FOX 35 newsroom, we will update this page.
ALACHUA COUNTY
Sandbags: View list of sandbag locations here.
Evacuations: No evacuations ordered.
Emergency shelters:
General Population (pet-friendly) shelters:
- Easton Newberry Archery Center (24880 N.W. 16th Ave, Newberry)
- Eastside High School (1201 S.E. 43rd Street, Gainesville)
General population (not pet-friendly) shelter:
- Meadowbrook Elementary School (11525 N.W. 39th Ave, Gainesville)
Special needs (service animals only) shelter:
- Alachua County Senior Center (5701 N.W. 34th Blvd., Gainesville)
Contact Alachua County Emergency Management
- Text "ALACHUA" to 888777
- AlachuaCountyReady.com
- Special Needs Registry, 352-264-6500
- 311 Emergency Information Line (This is for questions and rumor control. This number cannot receive texts.)
DIXIE COUNTY
Sandbags: No distribution spots announced.
Evacuations: No evacuations ordered.
Emergency shelters: Dixie County High School, 17924 SE Highway 19, Cross City (opens Wednesday, Sept. 28 at noon)
Contact Dixie County Emergency Management
GILCHRIST COUNTY
Sandbags:
- Gilchrist County Road Department 1770 S US 129 Bell, FL
- Gilchrist County EOC 3250 N US 129 Bell, FL.
- Trenton City Park 214 SE 3rd Avenue Trenton, FL
Evacuations: No evacuations ordered.
Emergency shelters: No emergency shelters announced.
Contact Gilchrist County Emergency Management
- gilchristemergency.com
- Sign up for emergency alerts
- Road or bridge closures
LEVY COUNTY
Sandbags:
- Gulf Hammock Fire Station - Empty lot across from Williston Police Department
- Cedar Key Community Center
- Rosewood Baptist Church
- Yankeetown Water Plant
- Inglis Municipal Building
- Bronson Town Hall
- Chiefland Maintenance Yard
- Fowler’s Bluff Fire Station
- Morriston Fire Station 11
- Fanning Springs Fire Station
Evacuations:
Emergency shelters:
Bronson Elementary School (special needs)
400 Ishie Avenue
Bronson
Bronson Middle High School
351 Ishie Ave.
Bronson
Contact Levy County Emergency Management
- www.levydisaster.com
- Special Needs Resources
- (352) 486-5213 (M-F, 8-4:30)
MARION COUNTY
Sandbags: No distribution spots announced.
Evacuations: No evacuations ordered.
Emergency shelters:
- Dunnellon High: 10055 SW 180th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432
- Belleview Middle: 10500 SE 36th Avenue, Belleview, FL 34420
- Fort McCoy School: 16160 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, FL 32134
- Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary: 4397 SW 95th Street, Ocala, FL 34476
- North Marion Middle: 2085 W County Road 329, Citra, FL 32113
- Vanguard High: 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL 34475 (pet friendly)
Contact Marion County Emergency Management
- https://www.marionso.com
- Citizen Information Hotline: 352-369-7500