Hurricane Milton approaches Florida as Cat 4

[National Weather Service in Jacksonville]

As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 4 with peak winds around 150 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.

Milton is expected to make landfall mid-week on the west coast of Florida, bringing risk of flooding, damaging winds, rainfall and storm surge.

“Strong onshore winds will bring deteriorating marine, tidal flooding & rainfall impacts to the local aera ahead of Milton through Tuesday night,” according to NWS Jacksonville.

Marion County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, with all extra-curricular, after-school activities canceled on Tuesday, except for Marion Afterschool Programs.

Shelter information:

West Port High School: 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala,

Opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday

(Special Needs Shelter—pets allowed with proper documentation.)

Vanguard High School: 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala,

Opens at 6 p.m. on Tuesday

(Pet-Friendly Shelter)

Fort McCoy School:16160 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy

Opens at 6 p.m. on Tuesday

(General Population Shelter)

“Citizens entering the shelter on Tuesday night will need to bring their own food/water/snacks for the night. Also, citizens with special dietary needs should bring a supply of food with them.

Marion County Animal Services is urging pet owners to bring their own pet crates when entering a shelter,” according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Sandbag information:

Locations are self-serve, bags are provided, and a limited number of shovels will be available at the sites. Limit of 10 bags per vehicle.

Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center): 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala

ED Croskey Recreation Center: 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala

Jervey Gantt Park: 2200 SE 36th Ave, Ocala

Dunnellon Public Works: 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon

Wrigley Field: 405 County Rd East 316, Citra

John Van Fleet Sports Complex: 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Ocala

Belleview Sports Complex: 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview

Martel Recycling Center: 296 SW 67th Ave Rd, Ocala

 Marion Oaks: 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, (Behind the Community Center)

Call the Marion County Emergency Management Citizen’s Information Line please at (352)369-7500 for non-emergency inquiries. In case of emergency, call 911.