Levy County School Announcement

Assistant Superintendent John Lott has made the following announcement regarding Levy County School sporting events, “Due to storm damage and travel concerns, all Levy County school activities tonight have been cancelled.”

 

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Hermine Update Friday 9:30 am

Emergency crews are in the affected areas of Levy County. Levy County Emergency Management and Sheriff McCallum are asking citizens to remain at home. Now is NOT the time to venture into these areas. The storm effects are still being felt in our coastal communities and conditions are UNSAFE. Please do not drive through standing water as it is unsafe for you and causes additional damage to nearby homes.

Only residents who provide proof of residency will allowed into the Cedar Key and Yankeetown areas once these areas are deemed safe.

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Evacuation Notice RE-ISSUED

The following notice has been issued to Levy County by the National Weather Center. Levy County can expect the tidal surge to be up to 11 feet above Mean Sea Level. To put things into perspective, this is very similar to the 1993 Storm of the Century for those who endured that storm. We have added some graphics familiar to our local citizens to give you the visual of what 11 feet of water will look like in your area. Please heed the warning and EVACUATE NOW to one of the three shelters which have been opened to keep you safe.  Emergency crews will not be able to assist you when wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour or the storm waters rise making roads impassable.

 

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Hurricane Hermine Update 4:45 PM

The National Weather Service has issued updated information impacting Levy County. Tidal surge is now predicted to reach 11 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL) near or at high tide at 3 AM. Residents in areas affected by tidal surge should EVACUATE IMMEDIATLEY. Emergency Services WILL NOT be able to reach you in the event you require assistance if you refuse to evacuate.

 

For more information please contact the Levy County Emergency Management at 352-485-5155 or 352-486-5576.

 

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**Tropical Storm Hermine 3:15 PM Update**

Citizens requesting up to date storm information or to verify rumors are asked to call the Levy County Emergency Management at 352-486-5155 or 352-486-5576.

The National Weather Service has issued a warning impacting Levy County. Tropical storm strength winds are expected to reach the Levy County coast line at 6 pm today.

Road Closures due to flooding:

• CR 40 at the Yankeetown General Store has been closed.
• SR 24 at the Number 4 Bridge has been closed.

Shelter locations are open at the following locations:

• Chiefland Elementary 1205 NW 4^th Avenue Chiefland
• Bronson Elementary 400 Ishie Avenue Bronson including Special Needs
• Williston High School (old High School) 427 West Noble Avenue Williston

If you live in a surge prone area NOW is the time to evacuate. If you have not evacuated as of yet, please take this time to pack essential needs and move away from the coastal areas and Suwannee River basin now.

Levy County is currently on a High Tide cycle and roads are flooding, making travel more difficult. This is not the time to go into the flooded areas as you may become stranded. Rescue will not be possible once winds reach 40 MPH.

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**Update from the Levy County Department of Health**

September 1 @ 1240 PM

 

The Levy County Department of Health (DOH) wants to remind Levy County citizens with special needs that a shelter designed to accommodate them has been opened at the Bronson Elementary School located at 400 Ishie Avenue. If you have not registered as a special needs citizen and are requesting assistance to evacuate prior to this storms landfall, please call 352-486-5426 or 352-486-5290.

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Mandatory Evacuation and Shelter Locations

September 1, 2016 @ 10:20 am

The Levy County Emergency Management Office is ordering a MANDATORY evacuation of all coastal communities along the Gulf Coast and the Suwannee River of Levy County.

The National Weather Service is predicting dangerous, possibility life threatening storm surge late Thursday into Friday.  Storm surge potentially 3 feet higher than experienced during Tropical Storm Colin or 8 feet mean sea level (MSL) is expected.  That does not include any effects of rainfall and wave action.  Citizens along the Gulf Coast and Suwannee River are strongly recommended to evacuate to a safe location out of the storm surge area.

Citizens that live in a storm surge area should take immediate precautions to protect themselves and their families.  When sustained wind speeds reach 40 mph emergency responders are unable to assist.  This means if you are calling 911, we will NOT be able to respond until the winds subside. Flooded roadways may be impassable and high winds may prohibit emergency vehicles from accessing the area.  

Shelters:

All shelters will open at 1pm today and are located at:

•   Old Williston High School Cafeteria located at 427 West Noble Avenue on US Hwy 27 in Williston
•   Bronson Elementary at 400 Ishie Avenue
•   Chiefland Elementary at 1205 NW 4^th Avenue. 

Pets will not be accepted at the shelter.  If you are unable to make alternate arrangements for your pets, you may board them at the Levy County Animal Services building at 12055 NE 68^th Lane in Bronson until the storm passes.  Pet owners will be required to bring their own crates and food for their pets.  Pets will not be accepted without proof of current rabies vaccination.

For more information and rumor control you can contact the Levy County Department of Emergency Management at 352-486-5576 or 352-486-5155.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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