Storm update #5 – Hurricane Milton

Published on October 09, 2024

Hurricane Milton is currently a Category 4 storm and is predicted to make landfall tonight as one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to churn in the gulf. It is expected to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida peninsula around midnight, and its wind field expands.

As conditions worsen today, neighbors are advised to get to where they need to be by early afternoon and then to shelter indoors away from windows. Please stay off the roads this evening and tomorrow.

Emergency shelters filling quickly.

Two of three Alachua County emergency shelters remain open.

• Pet-friendly general population shelter: Easton-Newberry Sports Complex, 24880 NW 16th Avenue in Newberry.
• Special needs shelter: Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd.
• For transportation to the special needs shelter, please call 352-955-2575.
• Details including which items to bring to a shelter can be found here.

GRACE Marketplace, 3055 NE 28th Dr., has opened Emergency Storm Shelter operations for houseless neighbors.

Sandbags

• 21,000 sandbags have been distributed by the City of Gainesville during the past two days.
• Self-serve sandbag operations continue at Citizens Field, 1000 NE Waldo Rd., while conditions remain safe. Neighbors must bring their own bags and shovels or trowels.

FEMA and USDA Resources

Keep the resources below handy by taking a screen shot or printing out this email today.

• Download the free FEMA App, available in English and Spanish, to receive real-time weather alerts and more.
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 for those who are experiencing emotional distress. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
• Farmer Mental Health – Southern Ag Exchange Network Farmer Support Hotline: 888-381-7243
• Farm Service Agency Call Center (information on USDA programs): 877-506-8364

Refuse collection

• Please do not place residential trash and recycling containers or other items curbside today. Today’s pick up has been suspended until Friday.
• Vegetative debris collection began last Friday, Oct. 4, and continued through noon yesterday. It’s scheduled to resume Friday morning, Oct. 11.

Facilities

City offices, facilities, parks, pools and recreation centers remain closed.

Regional Transit System (RTS)

• RTS has suspended fares today (Oct. 9) as bus service is operating on reduced service. Visit the RTS website for additional information. 

Parking

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

Flood reporting

An areal flood watch remains in effect for Alachua County through Thursday evening with a potential for flooding as a result of rainfall from H. Milton. Flash flooding could occur depending on the speed of the hurricane through the area.

• Remember to never drive, swim or walk through floodwaters as they may contain raw sewage, debris, chemicals or other pollutants.
• If you encounter any flooding in your area, 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 entering 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.

Additional resources

• To receive City of Gainesville alerts, sign up at www.alertgnv.org.
• 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.