Hurricane Preparedness

Volunteer/Donation Opportunities

After a disaster, people come together to help. To make the most of your contributions, it’s important to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. The below tried and true best practices will give you a starting point. You can also email the FEMA Donations Unit at Donations@fema.dhs.gov for answers to your specific questions or to make an in-kind donation.

Learn more about how you can help here.

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IRS: Hurricane Ian Victims In Florida Qualify For Tax Relief; Oct. 17 Deadline, Other Dates Extended To February 15th

Hurricane Ian victims throughout Florida now haveuntil Feb. 15, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

Read more here.

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Storm Strength Update

As Hurricane Ian intensifies, now is the time to prepare. Check in with your local city or county authorities for the latest information on sandbag supplies, emergency shelters, and text message alerts for updates. See the links for all six FL-03 counties below.

Alachua County: https://bit.ly/3DVUA3R or text "ALACHUA" to 888-777
Bradford County: https://bit.ly/3CbAOQl
Clay County: https://bit.ly/3LHYXRX or call 877-252-9362
Marion County: https://bit.ly/3CcaIwJ or call 352-369-7500
Putnam County: https://bit.ly/3DVcsM5
Union County: https://bit.ly/3Seuo8U

June 1st marks the beginning of hurricane season. As Floridians, we're all too familiar with the destructive power of these storms. Begin preparing your family by reviewing the steps you should take before, during, and after a storm. By creating an emergency plan and gathering items for a supply kit, you can reduce the impact of a hurricane.

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Tropical Update From The Florida Division Of Emergency Management

As of 8am ET this morning, Tuesday, September 27th, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has released a statement with updates and changes as Hurricane Ian develops. The Florida Outlook is detailed below:

A hurricane warning is in effect for six Florida counties, with a hurricane watch in effect for 9 additional western Peninsula counties.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for 13 Central and South Florida counties, with tropical storm watches in effect for 19 southeastern and North Florida counties.
A storm surge warning is in effect from Anclote River to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. A storm surge watch is in effect for the FL Keys, as well as from the Aucilla River to the Anclote River and on the East Coast from the Flagler/Volusia Line northward, including the St. Johns River.
Devastating storm surge values of 5-10 feet are expected in and around Tampa Bay and southward to Bonita Beach; 4-8 feet along the Nature Coast and Southwest Florida Coast south of Bonita Beach; and 2-5 feet for eastern Apalachee Bay, the Northeast Florida coast (including the St. Johns River), and the Florida Keys and southern Southwest Florida.
Tropical storm-force winds may arrive on this afternoon or evening the Keys and coastal Southwest Florida. Tropical storm-force winds may then spread from south to north along portions of the Peninsula Wednesday and could arrive in the Northeast Florida by Thursday. Hurricane conditions could arrive in West Central Florida Wednesday afternoon.
Rainfall will be a major and potentially catastrophic hazard with this storm. While most of the Peninsula will receive 5-10” of rain with isolated higher amounts up to 14” possible, some areas in West Central Florida near the track of Ian could experience 12-16” of rain with localized totals of 24-30” are possible. Heavy rainfall of 5-12” is also possible in the Florida Big Bend and Northeast Florida, but these totals will depend on the ultimate track of Ian. 4-6” of rain with locally higher amounts up to 8” are forecast for South Florida and the Keys. A flood watch is in effect for all of the Florida Peninsula.
Isolated tornadoes occurred in the keys overnight, and the continued risk for tornadoes exists today for Central and South Florida areas south of I-4.

Learn more here.

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Building An Emergency Supplies Kit

Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist above.

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FL-03 Hurricane Ian Shelters & Local News

Each of the six counties in Florida's Third are continuing to provide information on shelter locations and resources throughout the district. Our office has compiled the most up-to-date information for each county in preparation for the storm. Click here to learn how Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Marion, Putnam, and Union counties are preparing.

For evacuation sites for equines in the area, click here.

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Gov. DeSantis Issues Update On State Preparedness For Hurricane Ian

The Governor has issued and executive order declaring a State of Emergency for all 67 counties in Florida. For more information, view the full declaration here.

Additionally, below is a comprehensive list of all relevant State agency updates. A number of FDOT emergency measures to protect Floridians include:

Suspension of tolls, beginning at 12:00 PM on September 26th, in projected areas of impact
Deployment of additional Road Rangers to assist motorists and keep evacuation routes moving
Discontinuing SunRail services from 8:30 AM Tuesday until Friday morning
Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is available for drivers to stay informed about roadway conditions during emergencies; the service includes traffic conditions, road and bridge closures, toll suspensions, and other specialized alerts. To use Florida’s 511, visit the website at FL511.com or download the app

View the full press release here.

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FDOT Approved List Of Agricultural Commodities For Emergency Waivers

The Florida Department of Transportation has issued an Emergency Road Use Permit letter to permit the movement of divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies, and agricultural food commodities and citrus in excess of the normal restrictions on weight, height, length and width.

The following agricultural food commodities and citrus have been identified by the Commissioner of Agriculture and approved by the Secretary of Transportation as covered by the Emergency Road Use Permit letter:

Cattle
Citrus
Eggs and egg products
Milk and milk products
Nursery products

Get more information here.

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Sandbag Pickup Locations

Many North Central Florida Locations are offering free sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Ian. The sandbags can be used at the point of entry in a home to reduce the likelihood of flooding. The locations are listed below. Some are self-service.

Alachua County:

Wayside Park — 11855 NW U.S. Highway 441, Alachua, FL 32615

Bradford County:

BCFR Station 40 — Heilbronn Springs 21412 N.W. State Road 16
BCFR Station 90 — Sampson City13641 S.W. County Road 227

Marion County:

Dunnellon City Complex —11808 N Ohio St., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Wrigley Field — 405 County Road East 316, Citra, FL
East Marion Sports Complex — 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Silver Springs, FL
Belleview Sports Complex — 6501 SE 107th St., Belleview, FL
Jervey Grantt Park — 2200 SE 36th Ave., Ocala, FL

Putnam County:

Huntington Landfill — 1151 County Rd. 308, Crescent City
East Palatka Community Park — 223 Putnam County Blvd., East Palatka
Chesser Sand Pit — 145 West Washington St, Hawthorne

Union County:

Lake Butler City Hall — 200 SW 1st St, Lake Butler, Union County, FL 32054
Public Works — 600-698 SW 4th St, Lake Butler, Union County FL 32054
Union County Road Department — 15285 SW 84th St, Lake Butler, Union County, FL 32054

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VISN8 Alert For All VA Healthcare Facilities

NF/SGVHS continues to closely monitor Hurricane Ian. The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking all necessary actions to ensure the safety of their patients and families. Out of an abundance of caution, and for the safety of Veterans and employees, the decision has been made to cancel scheduled appointments at the following outpatient clinics on Friday, September 30, 2022:

Malcom Randall VA Medical Center – Primary Care appointments only
Gainesville Pain Clinic (3401 NW 98 St) – All appointments
Gainesville Optometry Clinic (5533 SW 64th St) – All appointments
Gainesville Dermatology Clinic (5571 SW 64th St) – All appointments
Lake City VAMC – Primary Care appointments only
Lake City Commerce Clinic – All appointments
Tallahassee OPC (Sergeant Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas VA Clinic) – All appointments
Marianna CBOC – All appointments
Perry CBOC – All appointments

All other NF/SGVHS clinic locations are currently open during normal business hours. You can click the button below for updates to operating status of our facilities.

Get more information here.

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Download the FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service.
Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) - which requires no-sign up.
Visit Ready.gov/hurricanes or Ready.gov/es/huracanes (en Español) for more readiness tips.

Basic Preparedness Tips

Know your zone.
If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
Snap photos of important documents and save them online or in a secure place you can access during an emergency
Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
Make a family emergency communication plan.
Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.

Preparing Your Home

Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.
Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows, and doors, including the garage doors.
Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high-winds and in locations above flooding levels.

The websites below provide additional resources you and your family may find useful.

www.fema.gov
www.ready.gov
www.listo.gov
www.nhc.noaa.gov
www.noaa.gov
www.floridadisaster.org