Alachua County is under a Hurricane Warning as of 4:57 p.m. This means Hurricane winds of over 74mph are possible within 36 hours.
It is vital that you complete your emergency preparedness planning as soon as possible, as we can expect to see impacts in the Alachua County area as early as Tuesday night.
Please take this storm seriously. Complete emergency preparedness actions immediately and pay attention to the local forecast.
Residential curbside collection service for solid waste, recycling, and yard trash on Tuesday will be normal. In anticipation of weather impacts from Tropical Storm Idalia, there will be no curbside collection of solid waste, recycling, and yard trash on Wednesday, August 30. Garbage carts and recycling bins must be secured in or near residences. Collection services for Thursday will be determined as the storm develops.
The Leveda Brown Environmental Park and the five Rural Collection Centers will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and remain closed on Wednesday. Any further closures will be determined once the storm has passed.
Alachua County will be opening general population, pet-friendly shelters, and a special medical needs shelter at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Special needs shelters provide one cot per patient but not for caregivers. Caregivers are asked to bring any needed bedding. 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 identification.
Those needing more information about the special needs shelter should call 352-955-2575.
Shelters do not provide cots or beds. Bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods, baby food, diapers (and other child necessities), prescription medications, and a small cooler of ice if refrigeration is needed, as the shelter cannot be responsible for your medications. Also, bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification.
Pet-friendly shelters are intended to shelter cats, dogs, and their people safe. Citizens with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc.
Alachua County Animal Resources and Community Support Services staff will be on-site to encourage both people and animal safety. Animal Resources and Care will have supplemental supplies on hand for those in need. We encourage citizens to bring veterinary records indicating their pets are properly vaccinated. However, 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 citizens and pets.
You can find all the latest information for Alachua County at
alachuacountyready.com. If you don’t have internet access or need additional information, dial 311 from your phone. If you live outside Alachua County or cannot dial 311, call 352-264-6557.
To receive all updates on County operations in response to Idalia, please text ALACHUA to 888-777.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or
msexton@alachuacounty.us.
