Marion County should prepare for flash flooding

Forecasters warn that North Central Florida, including Marion County, should prepare for flash flooding from Hurricane Milton. Water as high as one foot can cause significant damage to buildings and contaminate water supplies.

Even though Marion County is safe from coastal storm surges, flash floods can still occur during major storm events when large amounts of rain over short or extended periods are combined with insufficient drainage. The earth can only absorb so much rain at a time.

Additionally, water can rise in creeks and rivers, which may occur suddenly and with little warning.

The “Gazette” asked Peter Wolf, Science and Operations Officer at the NOAA/NWS Forecast Office in Jacksonville, why Marion County’s flash flooding warnings were on par with coastal communities.

He explained that forecasters were “expecting a swath of 5-10 inch rainfall across the red shade area across north-central FL. Normally the heaviest rain would be along the track of the hurricane, but in this case, we have a front that will be just N of the system, which will tend to shift the heavier rain N of the storm track. The graphic is based on expected rainfall related to the amount needed for flash flooding.”

Sandbags

The county and city have announced the following self-serve locations for sandbags. Officials request that each person limit their use to 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 Road East 316, Citra
• John Van Fleet Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th St. Road, Ocala
• Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St., Belleview
• Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave. Road, Ocala
• Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala (Behind the Community Center)

Citizens are encouraged to bring their own shovels since there are limited shovels at each site.

When installing sandbags at an entryway, place plastic sheeting on the ground in front of the door and apply duct tape to keep plastic fastened to the door and wall.

Next, tightly pile sandbags against the door and over the plastic on the ground, extending the bags slightly beyond both sides of the doorway. Stagger the sandbags on top of one another, similar to the way bricks overlap.

Prepare to have enough water

After flooding, those with wells and treated water should seek government guidance about contamination.

Following flooding, regardless of whether you receive water from a well or treatment plan, use only bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth until the public water supplies have been declared safe.

Prior to the storm, Marion County residents can temporarily store water in their bathtubs to use for flushing toilets, washing dishes, or to provide water to animals.

Residents with wells should especially be careful that their wells could be contaminated with sewage due to flooding.

For tips on how to properly store water for up to six months from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, read here.