City of Gainesville storm update #2 – Hurricane Milton

Press release from City of Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Hurricane Milton has developed into a dangerous Category 5 storm that is expected to impact our area beginning Wednesday morning, bringing flooding rainfall and strong winds. Neighbors are advised to finish stocking supply kits and finalizing emergency preparations today.

Facilities

• City offices, facilities, parks, pools, and recreation centers will close Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9 and 10.
• The City is working to secure all municipal facilities in advance of H. Milton, including protecting the roof of the Thelma Boltin Center from the heavy rain expected in the coming days.

Public Meetings

• The General Policy Committee meeting on Thursday has been canceled.
• Visit the Public Meeting Calendar on the City’s website for the current list of scheduled meetings.

Flood waters

• An areal flood watch has been issued for Alachua County, meaning there’s potential for flooding as a result of the prolonged, heavy rainfall from H. Milton. Never drive, swim or walk through floodwaters. They may contain raw sewage, debris, chemicals or other pollutants.

• If you encounter any flooding in your area caused by Hurricane Milton, submit your photos on the Flood Reporter application. Stay safe and do not endanger your safety when taking photographs.

Sandbag operations

• Pre-made sandbags continue 8 a.m.-5p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 8 at the Public Works Center, 405 NW 39th Ave. A limit of 10 filled sandbags per vehicle can be picked up at this location. To ease traffic flow, arrive at this location via northbound NW Sixth Street and then turn east (right) onto NW 39th Ave.
• Bags and sand to make self-serve sandbags continue 8 a.m.-5p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 8 at Citizens Field, 1000 NE Waldo Rd. Please bring a shovel or trowel to fill sandbags at this location. Assistance is available for those in need. A limit of 10 bags for filling will be provided per vehicle. To ease traffic flow, access the site from NE 12th Ave. via Waldo Road, or travel south on NE 15th Street via NE 16th Ave.
• For information about sandbags outside Gainesville city limits, contact your local municipality or visit the Alachua County Ready website.

Helene yard debris management

• Alachua County is allowing residents to dispose of vegetative waste free of charge at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park (5115 NE 63rd Ave., Gainesville), and is lifting the volume limit on yard debris accepted at its five Rural Collection Centers. (The opportunities to drop off yard debris are only for the time leading up to the impact of Hurricane Milton and will not extend beyond its arrival.)
• Please make sure your current debris piles do not block storm drains, streets, driveways, sidewalks, drainage ditches, storm inlets or other water runoff infrastructure.
• The City’s disaster debris contractor continues to collect debris left by Hurricane Helene and has collected 3,300 cubic yards of yard waste to date (more than 150 standard truckloads). It is expected to take several weeks to collect all the debris and the contractor will make several sweeps through neighborhoods.

Special Needs Registry

• Alachua County Emergency Management encourages individuals with special needs to register online for the Special Needs Registry Program. The Alachua County Special Needs Registry is intended for those who have certain physical or medical conditions and no options to shelter at home, with friends, family, or elsewhere during a disaster.

Additional resources

• Visit GRU.com/StormCentral for a list of important phone numbers in the event of service emergencies, as well as a link to the Gainesville Regional Utilities outage map with estimated time of restoration.
• Visit www.safeGNV.org for all emergency management updates and additional preparedness tips.