UPDATE: Hurricane Helene upgraded to a Category 3 storm Thursday afternoon preceding its expected evening landfall.
The National Weather Service said Alachua County has a 100% chance of tropical storm force winds, with potential sustained wind speeds between 58 to 73 mph, according to an Alachua County weather alert.
When and where will the hurricane hit?
Hurricane Helene strengthened to a hurricane at 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. In an afternoon press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Helene has the potential to make landfall as a Category 4 storm.
Helene is projected to hit Florida Thursday evening, but the state officials said Southern counties started feeling the effects this morning as Helene moved past Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula. Alachua County began to see rainfall Wednesday afternoon.
Helene is expected to gain intensity as it rips through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Current models show it headed towards the Florida panhandle, but Florida’s Big Bend residents are preparing for Helene to make landfall closer to them, which would be the region’s third hurricane in just over a year.
Is Gainesville an evacuation zone?
Alachua County issued an evacuation order Wednesday for citizens residing in mobile homes, manufactured homes and recreational vehicles, as well as those living in areas subject to flooding or near close proximity to bodies of water.
Alachua County trusts residents to understand their individual circumstances on their decision to evacuate, the county said in a press release.
Am I in a flood zone?
About 23% of Gainesville's land lies within a FEMA-designated flood zone. Wetlands across the city, including Payne’s and Hogtown Prairies and portions of Kanapaha Prairie, are highly flood-prone.
Properties most vulnerable to flooding are labeled “A” or “V” on FEMA maps. Those with low to moderate risk are labeled “B,” “C” or “X.”
What supplies do I need?
Some vital, recommended supplies are gallons of water, canned and nonperishable food items, flashlights, candles and portable chargers, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Red Cross and other storm preparation sites are sharing guides and preparedness kits.
What are Gainesville and Alachua County doing to prepare?
Waste collection
Due to anticipated high winds, Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery facilities and operations will be closed Thursday.
Waste collection services, including garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulky items, will resume Friday, with all collections delayed by one day for the rest of the week. Regular schedules will resume the following week.
The county urges residents to secure their trash bins or containers and remove any waste placed curbside to prevent them from being scattered by the wind or becoming hazards.
Sandbags
Alachua County staff began distributing free sandbags to the community at Wayside Park on Tuesday and continued Wednesday.
For Newberry residents, bags and sand are available at the city’s public works compound at 120 NW 260th St. Those who want to participate must bring shovels.
In Hawthorne, sand and bags are available at the city’s wastewater treatment plant at 23016 SE 65th Lane — the public must fill their own bags.
The City of Gainesville offers sandbags at the public works building at 405 NW 39th Ave. and Citizens Field at 1400 NE Eighth Ave. Distribution is capped at 10 bags per vehicle while supplies last.
Emergency shelters
Alachua County announced the opening of three emergency shelters Wednesday, including two general population shelters and one special needs shelter for individuals seeking safety during Hurricane Helene.
The pet-friendly, general population shelters include the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, located at 1028 NE 14th St., Gainesville, and the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex located at 24880 NW 16th Ave. in Newberry.
The general population shelters do not provide cots or beds, and the county urges individuals to bring their own supplies, including special dietary foods, baby food, diapers, prescription medications, spare clothing, personal care items and identification.
Pet-owners are encouraged to bring their pet’s veterinary records and basic pet supplies when seeking shelter.
Alachua County’s special needs shelter opened noon Wednesday at the Alachua County Senior Recreation Center, located at 5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville.
The special needs shelter will provide one cot per person, but individuals are encouraged to bring bedding in case cots are no longer available.
According to the Alachua County Facebook page, Uber is offering free rides to emergency shelters.
Users can input the code “HELENERELIEF” and get a free ride worth up to $35 each way, to and from the designated shelter locations.
Changes to RTS schedules, routes
The Gainesville Regional Transit System announced Wednesday that it would provide reduced services Thursday and return to full transportation services Friday.
RTS could further suspend service if weather conditions are deemed unsafe and wind speed reaches above 35 mph, according to a Hurricane Helene RTS Service alert posted Wednesday evening.
There has not been an instance when UF classes have been in session and the suspension policy was implemented, RTS said in the alert.
Eastern Alachua County is estimated to have wind gusts of up to 65 mph, according to a National Weather Service update posted on Wednesday.
Gainesville expects strong winds and tornados in the area for 48 hours after Hurricane Helene hits Florida, according to the city of Gainesville site.
For the most up-to-date information, residents can go to GNVriderts.app, riderts.app, or RTS’ website or Facebook for any updates on suspension of services.
Is school canceled?
UF offices are closed and classes are canceled Thursday. All academic and student-related activities, including online classes and exams, will also be canceled. P.K. Yonge and Baby Gator will follow the same operations as UF.
UF will resume normal operations on Friday.
UF Health Hospitals and clinical practices are continuing normal operations. Students, faculty and staff should not park their personal vehicles in campus parking garages, as those will be needed for UF Health employees, UF stated in a press release.
Students living in residence halls are advised to shelter in place. Florida Fresh Dining will continue to serve the campus community during the storm.
Santa Fe College will be closed Thursday and Friday. Once the storm passes, Santa Fe will send crews out to survey all its campuses for any damage caused by the storm. When it has been verified that college facilities are operational, Santa Fe will announce reopening, it said in a press release.
Alachua County Public Schools and district offices will be closed Thursday and Friday due to Hurricane Helene. All extracurricular activities on those days are also canceled.
The district will assess storm damage after Helene has passed and notify families over the weekend if there will be any impact on the reopening of schools on Monday, ACPS spokesperson Jackie Johnson wrote in an email.
This is an Alligator staff report.
