Tropical Storm Idalia is a strengthening storm that needs to be taken seriously.
Alachua County is continuing to watch Tropical Storm Idalia closely. This storm is gaining steam in the Caribbean and is expected to strengthen as it enters the Gulf.
It is important that you and your family start taking preparedness actions now if you haven’t already done so.
Some of those actions include, but are not limited to:
- Sign up for emergency alerts by texting ALACHUA to 888-777.
- Clearing items around your home that can be picked up by strong winds.
- Securing property in areas that are prone to flooding.
- Clearing tree limbs from around windows.
- Moving vehicles out from underneath trees.
- Ensuring everyone in your family is familiar with your disaster plan.
- Having a plan for prolonged power outages.
- Refilling prescription medications.
- Having a plan for your pets.
- Checking up on neighbors and those that you know may have special needs.
- Use Alachua.weatherstem.com to view weather stations that are near your home.
- Go to hurricanes.gov and weather.gov/jax for the latest storm track and potential impacts.
Alachua County Emergency Management will have much more information tomorrow after the morning update from the National Hurricane Center. Information on sandbags, shelters, closures, and more will be coming out as more information is received on the anticipated impacts on Alachua County.
New information can come quickly, so make sure you are signed up to get text notifications by texting the word ALACHUA to 888-777.
We ask that you please take this storm seriously. While Alachua County has been very fortunate in the past, it is always better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or
msexton@alachuacounty.us.
