Evacuations ordered, shelters open in North Central Florida ahead of Helene (2024)

By Ryan Wyatt Turbeville

Published: Sep. 24, 2024 at 4:39 PM EDT|Updated: Sep. 26, 2024 at 10:19 AM EDT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Shelters are opening across North Central Florida as evacuation orders are issued for residents ahead of Helene. The storm is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane.

Statewide evacuation information can be found here. A full list of currently open general population and special needs shelters across Florida can be found here.

Alachua County

Alachua County has issued an evacuation order for residents living in mobile or manufactured homes, RVs, or homes that might not survive hurricane-strength winds.

There are three shelters open. General population shelters do not provide cots or beds, so those seeking shelter will need to bring their own bedding, as well as spare clothing, personal care items medications, towels, etc.

Animal Resources will have supplemental supplies on hand for those seeking pet-friendly shelter. They encourage residents to bring veterinary records. Animals without such records will be vaccinated upon intake to minimize the spread of contagious diseases. Please remember that animals must be properly restrained throughout their stay at the emergency shelter for the safety of all involved residents and pets.

For information about transportation to the special needs shelter, call (352)-955-2575.

Alachua County has activated the 311 Emergency Information Line (or at (352)-264-6557, if 311 is unavailable in your area) for questions and rumor control.

  • Pet-friendly, general population shelters:
    • Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center located at 1028 Northeast 14th Street, Gainesville
    • Easton-Newberry Sports Complex located at 24880 Northwest 16th Avenue, Newberry
  • Special needs shelter:
    • Alachua County Senior Recreation Center located at 5701 Northwest 34th Boulevard, Gainesville
      • One cot is allocated per patient. Caregivers are asked to bring any needed bedding in case cots are unavailable. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods and any prescription medications. Also, bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and personal identification. A small cooler of ice should be brought with any medications that require refrigeration.

Bradford County

Officials with Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said a shelter opened at 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning as power outages are expected throughout the night. Officials ask residents to please bring any essentials they might need, including personal hygiene items, medications, cots or air mattresses, blankets, pillows, non-perishable foods, etc. Special needs patients should bring their oxygen, medicine, special dietary needs, and a caregiver if available. Pets accompanying owners must be in a crate with its own water and food supply.

  • Pet-friendly, general population/special needs shelter:
    • Bradford County Fairgrounds located at 2300 North Temple Avenue, Starke

Citrus County

Citrus County has issued the following mandatory evacuation orders. If you’re not sure what zone you’re located in, you can check here.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 8 a.m.: Licensed skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities located in Zone A.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m.: Those living within Evacuation Zone A or any structure countywide not capable of withstanding tropical storm force winds or greater.

Citrus County Transit provides transportation at no cost to an open shelter or other safe location within Citrus County. To book transportation, please call: (352) 527-7630. Citizen information lines are open until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will reopen Thursday, Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the following number: (352)-249-2775.

The shelters will open on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. Residents taking shelter are asked to bring personal information, photo identification, a 72-hour supply of any required medications, any special dietary needs or non-perishable foods, and extra batteries or external power supply.

  • General population shelters:
    • Citrus High School located at 600 West Highland Boulevard, Inverness
    • Central Ridge Elementary School located at 185 West Citrus Springs Boulevard, Citrus Springs
  • Special needs shelter:
    • Forrest Ridge Elementary School located at 2927 North Forest Ridge Boulevard, Hernando
  • Pet-friendly general population shelter:
    • Renaissance Center located at 3630 West Educational Path, Lecanto

Columbia County

Columbia County will open four general population and one special needs emergency shelter location on Thursday, September 26th at 7 a.m. The only items provided at shelters are cots for sleeping, water, and limited food; please bring only the essentials that you will need for sheltering.

One pet-friendly shelter has now opened in Columbia County as of Thursday afternoon. Pet owners seeking shelter are asked to remember to bring pet papers and food.

  • General population shelter:
    • Winfield Community Center, 1324 Northwest Winfield Street, Lake City, Fl. 32055
    • Fort White High School Gym, 17828 Southwest State Road 47, Fort White, FL 32038
    • Deep Creek Community Center, 11934 North US Highway 441, Lake City, FL 32055
    • Richardson Community Center, 255 Northeast Coach Anders Lane, Lake City, FL 32055
  • Special needs shelter:
    • Westside Elementary located at 1956 SW County Rd 252B, Lake City, FL 32024
  • Pet-friendly, general population shelter:
  • Shands Lakeshore HIRM Building 428 Northeast Davis Avenue, Lake City

Dixie County:

Dixie County officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents of the coastal communities of Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, and Jena as well as surrounding areas, including those in mobile or manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles, especially in low-lying areas of the county.

Citizens with animals needing shelter must bring a crate, food, bottled water, and medications. Owners must provide a rabies vaccination certificate and proof of distemper parvo/feline distemper vaccine.

Shelters will open Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

  • General population shelter:
    • Dixie County High School is located at 17924 Southeast U.S. Highway 19, Cross City
  • Special needs shelter
    • Bell Middle-High School located at 930 South Main Street, Bell
  • Pet-friendly general population shelter
    • Bronson Middle-High School located at 351 Ishie Avenue, Bronson
    • Bell Middle-High School located at 930 South Main Street, Bell

Gilchrist County

Gilchrist County officials say all shelters will open Wednesday at 6 p.m. Officials ask those coming to seek shelter to bring medication, baby supplies (such as food, diapers, wipes, formula, etc.), blankets and pillows, toilets and snacks, as well as any pet supplies needed.

  • Special needs shelter:
    • Bell High School Health Academy located at 930 South Main Street, Bell
  • Pet-friendly general population shelter:
    • Bell High School Gym located at 930 South Main Street, Bell
  • General population shelter:
    • Trenton Elementary School located at 1350 Southwest State Road 26, Trenton

Levy County:

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for recreational vehicle parks, mobile and manufactured homes, coastal communities, and low-lying areas throughout the county.

All residents living west of US Highway 19 have also been ordered to evacuate, as storm surge levels may reach levels of up to 15 to 20 feet, causing a potential for loss of life.

Citizens with animals needing shelter must bring a crate, food, bottled water (one-gallon jug per animal), and medications. Owners must provide a Rabies vaccine certificate and proof of distemper parvo/ feline distemper vaccine. Levy County Animal Services will provide vaccines for an additional $10.00 per vaccine. If you cannot provide proof of vaccinations, your animal will be sheltered at the Levy County Animal Control shelter.

Shelters open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Those who need transportation to the shelter should call (352)-486-5155 or (352)-486-5576.

  • General population shelters:
    • Williston Middle High School located at 350 Robert Philpot Way, Williston
  • Pet-friendly general population shelter:
    • Bronson Middle High School located at 351 Ishie Avenue, Bronson
  • Special needs shelter:
    • Bronson Elementary School located at 400 Ishie Avenue, Bronson

Marion County

Citizens with special needs will be able to check into the shelter at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The shelter will open to the public at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Small pets are also being allowed into the shelter with proper documentation.

  • Pet-friendly. special needs shelter
    • Westport High School, 3733 SW 80th Ave, Ocala

Putnam County

Putnam County officials said the county is under a tropical storm warning with winds expected to arrive Thursday and 3 to 4 inches of rain expected.

General population shelters will open Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. and the special needs shelter will open Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

  • General population shelter:
    • Browning-Pearce Elementary located at 100 Bear Boulevard, San Mateo
    • Ochwilla Elementary located at 299 State Road 21, Hawthorne
      • Pet-friendly
  • Special needs shelter:
    • Kelley Smith Elementary located at 141 Kelley Smith School Road, Palatka
      • Will open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Taylor County

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office officials have issued a Mandatory Evacuation Order for Taylor County due to the intensity of the forecasted Hurricane Helene effective immediately.

Taylor County residents in need of shelter are welcome to shelter in Alachua County. For those in the Big Bend region, if you need help finding shelters or transportation support, please call (800) 729-3413.

The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is now active. Residents needing resources before and after Hurricane Helene can call 1-800-342-3557.

There are English, Spanish & Creole speakers available to answer questions. Visit this link for more information.

Suwannee County

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Suwannee County residents living in mobile homes, substandard housing, RVs, travel trailers, and flood-prone areas. Anyone taking shelter is asked to bring bedding, snacks, medication and other comfort items as needed.

Shelters will open on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. at the following locations:

  • General population shelter:
    • Branford Elementary School located at 26801 State Road 247, Branford
  • Pet-friendly general population shelter:
    • Suwannee Pineview Elementary School located at 1748 Ohio Avenue, Live Oak
  • Special needs shelter:
    • Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School located at 1419 Walker Avenue Southwest, Live Oak, FL 32064

Union County

Officials have issued a voluntary evacuation order for Union County residents. Residents using the shelters should bring 2 days’ worth of supplies for themselves, their families, and their pets. All shelter residents that bring pets should bring them with a crate and bring a 2-day supply kit for their pets, as well.

Shelters will open Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. and are projected to close Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 a.m. Local officials ask those seeking shelter to arrive before noon to avoid driving through tropical conditions.

  • Pet-friendly, special needs and general population shelter:
    • Union County High School located at 1000 South Lake Avenue, Lake Butler

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Evacuations ordered, shelters open in North Central Florida ahead of Helene (2024)
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