Update: Sumter County is closing all shelters. 

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The National Hurricane Center says life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are expected from Idalia when it makes landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast sometime Wednesday morning.

For that reason, several county emergency management officials are issuing voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders. Multiple counties across north-central Florida have started to open shelters ahead of Idalia’s arrival.

Here’s a county-by-county list of evacuation orders and shelters opening in the 352 area:
ALACHUA COUNTY
Alachua County issued a mandatory evacuation order for people living in mobile and manufactured homes, substandard housing and areas prone to flooding. The county says go to a hotel, stay with friends or family or go to a shelter. The county says if you do not evacuate, it may take some time before public safety can reach you as we will not send them out during the dangerous period of the Hurricane.  

  • Alachua County opened two general population shelters.
  • The Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center – General population at 1028 N.E. 14th Street, Gainesville
  • The Easton-Newberry Sports Complex – General population shelter in Newberry located at 24880 N.W. 16th Avenue
  • The Alachua County Senior Recreation Center – Special needs at 5701 N.W. 34th Boulevard, Gainesville
  • Those needing more information about the special needs shelter should call 352-955-2575. Those needing transportation to the special needs shelter should call as soon as possible.
  • Ochwilla Elementary School – Pet-friendly shelter closest for Hawthorne residents located at 299 State Road 21, Hawthorne
  • Southwest Recreation Center – Opens at 6 p.m. for University of Florida students, faculty, and staff. Located at 3150 Hull Road.
  • GRACE Marketplace will provide storm shelter for homeless individuals beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday and running through Thursday morning at 3055 N.E. 28 Dr.
  • Francis House also will be open for severe weather shelter beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 413 S. Main Street.

CITRUS COUNTY
A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for all those in Zone A. Zone A includes everything west of Hwy 19 and portions east of Hwy 19. There is also a voluntary evacuation encouraged countywide for those living in mobile homes, campers, recreational vehicles, tents, and structures not capable of handling Category 3 winds.

  • General population shelters open at 1 p.m. on Monday at Central Ridge Elementary, 185 W. Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs; or at 4 p.m. on Monday at Citrus High School, 600 W. Highland Blvd., Inverness.
  • Special needs shelter opens on Monday at 4 p.m. at Forest Ridge Elementary, 2927 N. Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando.
  • Pet friendly shelter opens on Monday at 4 p.m. at the Renaissance Center, 3630 W. Educational Path, Lecanto.
  • Last resort shelter is available on Monday at 4 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, 3800 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto.
  • Sexual offenders must report to the Citrus County Detention Facility at 2604 W. Woodland Ridge Drive, Lecanto to seek shelter if needed.
  • If you require transportation to a public shelter, call Citrus County Transit Services at 352-527-7630, option 1.

DIXIE COUNTY
An evacuation order has been issued for Dixie County.

  • A general population shelter will open on Tuesday, August 29, at the Dixie County High School starting at 9 a.m.
  • A special needs shelter will also open at the Bell Middle/High School at 9 a.m.

GILCHRIST COUNTY
The county encourages a voluntary evacuation of all low-lying areas and residents living in mobile homes.

  • A special needs shelter will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, at Bell High School’s Health Academy.
  • General population shelters will open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, at Trenton and Bell Elementary Schools. The shelter at Bell Elementary will serve as the pet-friendly shelter.

HERNANDO COUNTY
Voluntary evacuations have been encouraged for all areas west of U.S, 19, which includes evacuation zones A, B and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county-wide, are included.

  • Shelters will open at noon, Monday, Aug. 28.
  • West Hernando Middle School – Special Needs at 14325 Ken Austin Pkwy., Brooksville.
  • D. S. Parrott Middle School – General Population and Pet-Friendly at 19220 Youth Dr., Brooksville.
  • Nature Coast Technical High School – General Population at 4057 California St., Brooksville
  • Hernando High School – General Population, 111 Ernie Chatman Run, Brooksville.

LAKE COUNTY

  • Two emergency shelters will open for residents on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. Both locations are special needs shelters and pet friendly.
  • Villages Elementary – 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake
  • Lost Lake Elementary – 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont

LEVY COUNTY
A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for residents and visitors in the coastal areas of Levy County.  This includes, but is not limited to Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Fowlers Bluff, Fanning Springs and any other area prone to storm surge. Please start your preparations for evacuations as soon as possible, and be completed by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29.  Residents and visitors of Cedar Key need to be off the island before the storm surge arrives. 

  • Pet friendly shelter opens Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Bronson Middle/High School, 351 Ishie Ave.
  • Special needs shelter opens Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Bronson Elementary School, 400 Ishie Ave.
  • Williston Middle High School, 350 Robert Philpot Way, Williston, opens at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
  • You must bring any necessities for your pet and provide a rabies vaccine certificate.

MARION COUNTY

  • Special needs shelter opens Monday at 5 p.m. at West Port High School, 3733 SW 80 Ave.
  • General population shelters open at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Horizon Academy, 365 Marion Oaks Drive; North Marion Middle School, 2085 W. Hwy 329; Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Rd.
  • Pet friendly shelters open on Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28 St.; Lake Weir High School, 10351 SE Maricamp Rd.
  • Registered sexual offender shelter opens on Tuesday at noon at MCSO Sexual Offender and Predator Unit, 3300 NW 10 St. If anyone needs to arrive between 8 a.m. and noon, call 352-368-351

SUMTER COUNTY 

  • NEW: All Sumter County shelters are closing and no longer accepting residents.
  • A general population shelter will be opening on Tuesday 4 p.m. at the Sumter Fairgrounds, 7620 SR 471, Webster.
  • A special needs shelter at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood.
  • Other general population shelters will open as needed.
  • All Sumter County shelters are pet-friendly.
  • Call 352-689-4400 for an updated listing of shelters.
  • Residents in The Villages are asked to shelter in-place as the county says the homes in the master-planned community were built to standards to withstand the predicted winds.

More Idalia coverage: DEVELOPING: Idalia impacting schools: Some systems canceling class ahead of storm’s arrival

Public shelters should be a last resort. If possible, seek other options like staying with family/friends who reside in a safe structure before using a public shelter.

WHAT TO BRING
If heading to a shelter, generally bring the following Note: Shelter policies may vary.

  • Identification such as a driver’s licenses
  • Bedding (cot, air mattress, blanket, pillow)
  • Clothing
  • Food and water
  • Prescriptions
  • Special dietary food
  • Extra baby food or formula
  • Toiletries (toothbrush and paste, body soap, etc.)
  • Games or sources of entertainment
  • Supplies for your pet and proof of rabies vaccine

PLEASE DO NOT BRING

  • Weapons
  • Illegal drugs
  • Alcohol

MANY HOTELS OFFER DISTRESS RATES
In emergencies, many hotels offer evacuees reduced rates. On Monday, Rosen Hotels & Resorts activated its Florida Resident Distress Rates to give evacuees a safe, affordable place to ride out the storm.  “We do this because it is the right thing to do,” said Harris Rosen, Founder and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. “The safety of our guests, our associates and families across Florida is something we will go to great lengths to protect,” Rosen added. Distress rates at Rosen properties range from $69/night to $129/night. Rosen Hotels & Resorts is pet-friendly with no additional pet fee necessary.

If you’re seeking shelter at other hotels, be sure to ask about reduced rates during the storm event.

352today will continue to update this list as more shelters are opened. Check back often.