Updates on future Hurricane Helene

[NWS Jacksonville]

Western Marion County is under a Hurricane Warning and central and eastern Marion are under a Tropical Storm Warning as Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.

Marion County Public Schools announced it will close on Thursday, and all extracurricular activities will be canceled. Updates on school reopening on Friday are expected shortly depending on the severity of the weather conditions.

West Port High School will be available for use as a shelter for residents with special needs as of 2 p.m. Wednesday. All other residents can shelter at the school after 4 p.m. Pets are allowed.

All Florida Department of Health in Marion County offices will be closed on Thursday and remain closed until further notice.

The College of Central Florida is closing all campuses through Friday.

“Because of the threat of severe weather, particularly in CF’s coastal counties of Citrus and Levy, the college will close all sites, including the Ocala Campus, Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, Hampton Center, Appleton Museum and Vintage Farm, as well as online classes. Scheduled activities also have been canceled,” according to CF.

Sandbag locations:

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

Ed Crosky Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala, FL

Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon, Florida 34431

Wrigley Field, 405 County Rd East 316, Citra, FL

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

Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview FL

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

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