Storm update #3 – Hurricane Milton

Published on October 08, 2024

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Hurricane Milton has the potential to become one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for West Central Florida. Our area can expect heavy rainfall well ahead of H. Milton’s landfall expected tomorrow, plus localized flooding from this extremely powerful storm.  

Neighbors should finalize efforts today to protect themselves and their families, and prepare their property for flooding rain and significant wind damage. To receive City of Gainesville alerts, sign up at www.alertgnv.org. 

Refuse and Helene debris collection

  • All residential trash and recycling collection will be delayed beginning tomorrow, Oct. 9. Tomorrow’s collection is expected to occur on Friday, and Thursday’s collection on Saturday. Please do not place containers, branches or other items curbside tomorrow. 

Helene yard debris management

The city’s disaster debris contractor continues to collect debris left by Hurricane Helene and has collected 4,000 cubic yards of yard waste to date (more than 200 standard truckloads). 

It is expected to take several weeks to collect all the yard debris and the contractor will make several sweeps through neighborhoods. We appreciate your patience during this time.

  • Alachua County is allowing residents to dispose of yard debris free of charge at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park (5115 NE 63rd Ave., Gainesville), and is lifting the volume limit on yard debris accepted at its five Rural Collection Centers. (The opportunities to drop off yard debris are only for the time leading up to the impact of Hurricane Milton and will not extend beyond its arrival.)
  • Please make sure your current debris piles do not block storm drains, streets, driveways, sidewalks, drainage ditches, storm inlets or other water runoff infrastructure.

Facilities

  • City parks will close at 3 p.m. today, Oct. 8 and city pools will close at 5 p.m. today.
  • City offices, facilities, will close tomorrow, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10. 

Regional Transit System (RTS)

  • Bus service will operate on reduced service tomorrow, Oct. 9. Visit www.go-rts.com for additional information.  

Parking

  • Free parking at the SW Parking Garage, 105 SW 3rd Street, is available tomorrow, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10, based on availability, for neighbors who need to store their vehicles.
  • Parking restrictions are lifted tomorrow and Thursday for all parking zones.

Sandbag operations

  • Pre-made sandbags continue today, Oct. 8 until 5p.m. at the Public Works Center, 405 NW 39th Ave. A limit of 10 filled sandbags per vehicle can be picked up at this location. To ease traffic flow, arrive at this location via northbound NW Sixth Street and then turn east (right) onto NW 39th Ave.
  • Bags and sand to make self-serve sandbags continue today Oct. 8 until 5p.m. at Citizens Field, 1000 NE Waldo Rd. Please bring a shovel or trowel to fill sandbags at this location. Assistance is available for those in need. A limit of 10 bags for filling will be provided per vehicle. To ease traffic flow, access the site from NE 12th Ave. via Waldo Road, or travel south on NE 15th Street via NE 16th Ave. 
  • For information about sandbags outside Gainesville city limits, contact your local municipality or visit the Alachua County Ready website.

Flood reporting 

An areal flood watch remains in effect for Alachua County. This means there is potential for flooding as a result of the prolonged, heavy rainfall from H. Milton. 

  • Never drive, swim or walk through floodwaters. They may contain raw sewage, debris, chemicals or other pollutants. 
  • If you encounter any flooding in your area caused by Hurricane Milton, submit your photos on the Flood Reporter application. Stay safe and do not endanger your safety when taking photographs.
  • During a storm, the status of storm-related Public Works service requests and work orders can be viewed online. Visit the emergency planning maps webpage and select the Public Works Service tile to view the online app. Neighbors can view open service requests and work orders by enter an address using the search bar. 
  • To report flooding, blocked streets and other issues that require prompt attention, please call 352-334-5070 use the mygnv app or visit myGNV.org.

Public Meetings

  • Thursday’s General Policy Committee meeting has been canceled. 
  • Visit the Public Meeting Calendar on the City’s website for the current list of scheduled meetings. 

Special Needs Registry

  • Alachua County Emergency Management encourages individuals with special needs to register online for the Special Needs Registry Program. The Alachua County Special Needs Registry is intended for those who have certain physical or medical conditions and no options to shelter at home, with friends, family, or elsewhere during a disaster.

Additional resources

  • Alachua County has activated the 311 Emergency Information Line for questions and rumor control. Neighbors can dial 311 or 352-264-6557.
  • Visit GRU.com/StormCentral for a list of important phone numbers in the event of service emergencies, as well as a link to the Gainesville Regional Utilities outage map with estimated time of restoration.
  • Visit www.safeGNV.org for all emergency management updates and additional preparedness tips.

 

 

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