Hurricane Readiness & Recovery

Milton hurricane track

United Way of Marion County strives to connect you with the resources needed to prepare for, endure, and recover during hurricane season.


As a member of the Marion County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Team, United Way of Marion County works closely with the Marion County Emergency Management during natural disasters and other unforeseen events by appropriately collecting and distributing funds based on critical needs in the county. 


Below we have provided a link button allowing you to give to our emergency assistance fund. The funds raised here will be distributed throughout Marion County to agencies that are providing disaster relief. We thank you in advance for your contribution

United Way 211 specialists are available 24/7 to help you find assistance for all of your non-emergency needs.

Call 211 or 352-304-5827. Text your zip code to 898-211. Chat online here.

Image
2-1-1 LOGO
  • Shelter information and housing assistance
  • Sandbags, tarps, and other storm supplies
  • Evacuation routes and road closures
  • Food, clothing, and hygiene supplies
  • Special needs registry and medical supplies
  • Emotional and crisis support

Learn more about 211.

 

Hotlines

National Domestic Distress Hotline

800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS TO 22522

TTY- 800-787-3224

24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline.

 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call 988 or Text, or Chat 988

24/7 Lifeline connects people to the nearest crisis center.

 

Veterans Crisis Hotline

800-273-Talk (8255) press 1 or Text 838255

24/7 Service is available to all Veterans. It's a free, confidential resource even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA Healthcare.

Shelters

Domestic Violence Shelter

CASA Marion

352-722-2272

717 SW MLK Ave. Ocala, Fl. 34474

24/7 Domestic Violence Shelter (When funds are available) can assist with moving costs for victims actively fleeing domestic violence.

 

Department of Health Special Needs Shelter

West Port High School

3733 SW 80th Ave. Ocala, Fl..

Opening Tue. 10/8/24 @ 5pm

Pets are also allowed into the shelter with proper documentation.

 

Pet-Friendly Shelter

Vanguard High School

7 NW 28th St. Ocala, Fl.

Opening Tuesday 10/8/24 @ 6pm

Proper pet documentation is needed.

 

Sandbag Locations

Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center)

800 NE Sanchez Ave. Ocala, Fl.

7 am-7 pm, limited # of shovels available -10 bags per vehicle.

 

Ed Croskey Recreation Center

1510 NW Fourth St. Ocala, Fl

7 am-7 pm, limited # of shovels available -10 bags per vehicle. Self-serve.

 

Jervey Gantt Park

2200 SE 36th Ave. Ocala, Fl.

7 am-7 pm, limited # of shovels available -10 bags per vehicle. Self-serve.

 

Dunnellon Public Works

11924 Bostick St. Dunnellon, Fl.

7 am-7 pm, limited # of shovels available -10 bags per vehicle. Self-serve.

 

Wrigley Field

405 County Rd. East 316, Citra Fl.

7 am-7 pm, limited # of shovels available -10 bags per vehicle.

Self-serve.

 

John Van Fleet Sports Complex

6501 SE 107th St. Belleview, Fl.

7 am-7 pm, limited # of shovels available -10 bags per vehicle.

Self-serve.

 

General Population Shelters:

The following locations will open at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as emergency shelters in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Those seeking shelter should bring their own medications, food, and other essentials. Pet owners seeking shelter for animals should bring their own pet supplies, including crates.

  • Belleview Middle School, 10500 SE 36th Avenue, Belleview, FL

  • Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL

  • Fort McCoy School, 16160 NE Highway 315, Fort McCoy, FL

  • Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, 365 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala, FL

  • Liberty Middle School, 4773 SW 95th Street, Ocala, FL

  • Madison Street Academy, 401 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Ocala, FL

  • North Marion Middle School, 2085 W Highway 329, Citra, FL

Agency Resources

Image
American Red Cross Logo

To find an open Red Cross Shelter view the shelter map at redcross.org.

Having trouble viewing the shelter map? Call the Marion County's local American Red Cross - the North Florida Region.

Local: 352-620-0500     |     National: 800-733-2767

 

For additional readiness guidance, visit the Red Cross Hurricane Safety site.

Image
Fema Logo

For the latest news and updates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, visit https://www.fema.gov or call 800-621-3362.

Not sure if a storm is declared an emergency or natural disaster

Visit fema.gov/locations to find out.

Image
The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army helps meet the needs of disaster survivors through:

  • Preparedness
  • Immediate Response
  • Recovery
  • Emotional and Spiritual Care

 

Learn more about your local team by visiting salvationarmyflorida.org/ocala.

2907 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL 34470    |    352-732-7058

STOP!

Have you registered with the Florida Special Needs Registry

If you or someone you know has special needs, we urge you to review your registry status periodically to help first responders make informed decisions on how to help you in an emergency.

Additionally, check out Marion County's open special needs emergency shelters by visiting marionso.com/emergency-shelters.

Get Involved

We invite you to participate in our recovery efforts. If you are interested in contributing, please follow the links below to either sign in or register to become a volunteer. We greatly appreciate your support!

Transportation

Uber is providing FREE rides to and from shelters for those evacuating in Marion County.

How to get your free ride:

🌀 Open the Uber app.

🌀 Tap "Account" (bottom right).

🌀 Tap "Wallet" and enter promo code: MILTONRELIEF

 

Once the storm clears Marion County, the United Way of Marion County will provide more information about tarps, emergency food, and water through our 211 information and referral line. United Way 211 specialists are available 24/7 to help you find assistance.

If your home is damaged but not from flooding, call 800-Red-Cross for information regarding the assessment process. The national number is 800-733-2767.

The latest news and updates are available at Marionso.com Emergency Management and or call FEMA at 800-621-3362.