LEVY COUNTY (352today.com) – UPDATE: The Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) released an update on the progress of recovery efforts just after 4 p.m. on Thursday.

The Levy County School Board announced that all Levy County Schools will be closed on Friday, September 1.

LCSO says the Number 4 Bridge going on-to the Island of Cedar Key has been reopened. There are no restrictions to enter this island community.

A boil water notice for residents of Cedar Key has been ordered.

Access to the Town of Yankeetown is now unrestricted. The requirement for a re-entry pass has been lifted.

ORIGINAL:
Hurricane Idalia left a path of destruction in counties for hundreds of miles along the Gulf Coast. The road to recovery will be long.

In Levy County, the sheriff’s office says they’re moving into recovery and clean-up operations.

Rental units along G Street were destroyed by the 6.9′ storm surge after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Debris piled up after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today.com
The Marathon station lost their canopy after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today.com
Jon Thompkins, the property manager at Beach Front Motel, looks for his roof and picnic tables after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

LCSO says government offices will resume normal operations on Friday, September 1.

Levy County Schools will announce a re-opening date and time later today (Thursday).

All Levy County boat ramps will remain closed Thursday and Friday.

CEDAR KEY
The island community of Cedar Key is among the hardest hit. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) says entry onto Cedar Key is restricted to residents and business owners only. You must present your re-entry pass.

The city of Cedar Key is only accepting donations of meals ready-to-eat (MRE) at this time. All other donations for Cedar Key resident cannot be accepted at this time. The city is not ready to accept in-kind donations either.

YANKEETOWN
Yankeetown has closed County Road 40 West and County Road C40A at School Craft Drive. Only residents of Yankeetown are being allowed entry and must present their re-entry pass. All others who need assistance in re-entry to Yankeetown can call City Hall at (352) 447-2511.

FOOD & WATER
The county has MREs, water, and other essential supplies for residents in need at the following locations:

  • Cedar Key Community Center – 809 6th St, Cedar Key
  • Rosewood Baptist Church – 6331 SW 98th Terrace, Cedar Key
  • Otter Creek Town Hall – 555 2nd Ave, Otter Creek
  • Gulf Hammock Fire Station – 2851 SE County Rd 326, Inglis
  • Yankeetown Water Plant – CR 40 Yankeetown

RUMOR CONTROL
Levy County has activated a rumor control and damage reporting line: (352) 486-5155 or (352) 486-5576.