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Latest information on Hurricane Helene for residents in Alachua County, Florida

Latest information on Hurricane Helene for residents in Alachua County, Florida
Posted on | Posted on angela

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(This story has been updated to add additional information.)

Jen Grice, Alachua County Emergency Management Director, posted a Facebook Live video Wednesday morning with local updates on Tropical Storm Helene.

Grice, who spoke from the county's operations center shortly before 8 a.m., stressed that people must remain vigilant, even if Helene's expected trajectory takes her further and further away from the county.

“I know some people may be happy with the slight shift to the west, and that certainly means the strongest winds … aren't as close to Alachua County, but this is a huge storm. It's going to impact a very large area, so we need to make sure we're not resting on our laurels in the face of this storm,” she said. “We need to prepare today. As far as the schedule goes, we really need to focus on tomorrow morning because things are getting worse, so really take the time today to do the things you need to for this storm.”

An email from Alachua County warns residents to expect rainfall between 3 and 6 inches, which could cause flash flooding in low-lying areas. It notes that sustained winds of 58 to 79 mph are expected in the western part of the county, and winds of 40 to 57 mph with gusts up to 79 mph are expected in the eastern part of the county.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Helene had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was moving northwest at 9 mph on Wednesday morning. The storm's center was about 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

State coverage: Helene is nearing hurricane strength. Wind speed could reach 120 mph before Florida makes landfall

Where can I get sandbags in Gainesville and Alachua County?

  • Alachua County Wayside Park, 11855 NW US 441, Gainesville. Open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, self-service sand, bags and shovels are available. Limit of 10 bags per person.
  • Gainesville Public Works Administration, 405 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville. Open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit of 10 pre-made bags per person.
  • Citizens Field, 1000 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville. Open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Completely self-service. Bring your own bags and shovel.
  • Newberry Public Works, 120 NW 260th St., Newberry. Open Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sand and bags are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own shovel.
  • Hawthorne Wastewater Treatment Plant, 23016 SE 65th Lane, Hawthorne. Bring your own shovel.
  • City of Archer Public Works, 17156 SW Archer Road, Archer. Open. Self-service.
  • Memorial Park, 17380 NW US Highway 441, High Springs. Open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limited help available. Self-service. Bring your own shovel.

Will any storm shelters be opened in Gainesville and Alachua County?

Alachua County will open a shelter for people with special needs at noon on Wednesday and two pet-friendly shelters for the general public at 4 p.m.

The following information was provided by Alachua County.

Residents going to the special needs accommodation should bring their caregivers with them.

There are no cots or beds in general shelters. Bring all bedding you will need. When packing for travel to a shelter, please bring special diet foods, baby formula, diapers (and other child supplies), prescription medications, and a small cooler with ice in case refrigeration is needed, as the shelter is not responsible for your medications. Also bring a change of clothes, personal care items, spare glasses/contact lenses, and identification.

Residents with pets are asked to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc.”

Will schools in Gainesville and Alachua County be closed because of Helene?

  • Alachua County Public Schools will notify families of Thursday's plans by 2 p.m. Wednesday.
  • The University of Florida will announce a decision on campus operations and class schedules by noon Wednesday on Thursday.
  • No operational changes were made at Santa Fe College as of Wednesday afternoon.

Government offices in Alachua County

All Alachua County offices will close at noon on Wednesday. The Levada Brown Transfer Station will remain open during regular hours on Wednesday. All county offices will be closed on Thursday.

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