Citrus County Flood Management

All Court hearings will continue as scheduled. The operational services of the Clerk's office will be closed and will reopen on Friday morning at 8am.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tropical Storm Eta City Update

The City of Inverness is preparing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Eta, which is expected to make landfall near Citrus County. The City will be issuing a state of emergency and is taking actions to ensure continuity of city services to include water, wastewater, fire safety services, sanitation and debris clean-up. City Hall, 212 W. Main Street, will remain open Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To reach City Hall, please call (352) 726-2611.

City parks will close Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The city will update the public on park closures status by Thursday at 12:00 p.m.

City waste collection schedule has been modified, and Thursday collection day has been moved to Friday, November 13, 2020. Services originally scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2020 will be rescheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2020.

Duke Energy customers that experience a power outage may text OUT to 57801 or call 800-228-8485. If you see a fallen power line, stay far away from it and call 800-769-3766. SECO customers may report outages online https://secoenergy.com/ors/ or call (352) 793-3801.

City of Inverness Contacts

Inverness Public Works 352-726-2321
Questions about trash collection, water, trees, potholes and signs

Inverness Community Development 352-726-3401
Questions about permits and repairs

Inverness Parks 352-726-3913
Questions about parks

Beyond the City of Inverness, the County has declared a local state of emergency. Citrus County Schools will close Thursday, November 12, 2020 due to potentially high winds.

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Citrus County Citizen Information Lines are open (352) 249-2775
Duke Energy 1-800-228-8485
Sumter Electric 1-800-732-6141
Withlacoochee Electric 352-795-4382
American Red Cross 352-564-8455
Salvation Army 352-621-5532
Special Needs 352-249-2705
Citrus County Public Works 352-527-5477
Citrus County Emergency Management 352-746-6555
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission1-888-404-3922

County sandbag location are open to self-service:
• City of Crystal River Fire Station 650 NW 3rd Ave, Crystal River
• Bicentennial Park 501 N. Baseball Point, Crystal River
• Homosassa Area Rec Park 4414 S. Grandmarch Avenue, Homosassa

The City will post updates on Inverness.gov and Facebook.com/InvernessFloridaGov.

Based on guidance from Citrus County Emergency Management, Citrus County Schools will be closed Thursday, November 12, 2020. All students will transition to remote learning Thursday, November 12, 2020. We will be implementing our distance learning plan. Our students will be using Canvas to complete their schoolwork. You may be receiving an additional call today from your child’s school or teacher with specific instructions.

CHANGES:

▶️ All extra-curricular activities, including athletic games and practices, have been cancelled for Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 12. School Athletic Directors and/or Coaches will be in touch with student-athletes regarding rescheduling.

▶️ NO YMCA Daycare for Thursday, November 12, 2020.

▶️The District Services Center (Inverness) will not be open Thursday, November 12.

▶️Food Services: All curbside meal service has been rescheduled to Friday, November 13. The same times and locations still apply.

This storm has been very unpredictable, and the track seems to be shifting frequently. As always, our main priority is the safety of students and staff. We are being very fluid with our plans and in constant contact with the Emergency Operations Center.

We will continue to monitor the storm and keep you updated with the latest information concerning school closures. We encourage all our families and employees to take all necessary precautions at their homes and plan for the possible effects of Hurricane ETA.

Please stay up to date with the latest information regarding school closures on our district’s social media pages and on our website, www.citrusschools.org.

PLEASE SHARE! Citrus County Offices to Close Due to Storm Forecast

Based on the uncertain forecast for Tropical Storm Eta, including wind and storm surge advisories, all Citrus County offices will be closed on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Departments such as Fire Services, EMS, Road Maintenance, and other services will continue to respond as needed.

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps Release Date Set

Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Citrus County are scheduled to be released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on January 15, 2021 for implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show the potential extent and risks of flooding. They will be used to determine flood insurance premiums and building requirements.

FEMA held open houses for residents of Citrus County in February 2019 to view the preliminary maps and answer questions. The new FIRMs were developed through a partnership between the community and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They are based on updated modeling data and show coastal flood hazards more accurately than previous maps.

Over time, these risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, watershed conditions, and other factors. Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners, business owners, and renters insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage; consequently, flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone with coastal property.

Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state-licensed property and casualty insurance agent. Call the National Flood Insurance Program Help Center at 800-427-4661 or visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information.

www.weather.gov

With hurricane season here, are you prepared? Do you have enough food and water? Do you know your evacuation route? Keep these following suggestions in mind: www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY74700.pdf
For questions, contact the Extension Office at 352-527-5700.

HAPPENING NOW: CCSO Emergency Management Officials will continue to monitor PTC16 as it moves further into the Gulf of Mexico. Citrus County is under a Storm Surge Warning. The forecast is for 3-5 feet above normal high tide. Self-serve sandbag sites are now open at:
Bicentennial Park, 8145 W. Bicentennial Park Drive, CR
10am-6pm; Homosassa Park, 4210 S. Grandmarch Ave, Homosassa, 10am-6pm; Crystal River Fire Station, 650 NW 3rd Ave, Crystal River, 10am - until supplies last.

Important UPDATE on Citrus County Sandbag Sites

Citrus County has updated it schedule for Sandbagging Sites.

Update on locations are as follows:

• 4508 S. Grandmarch Ave. Homosassa (Near Grover Cleveland Blvd.) – closes at 5:00pm today, Saturday, August 31st. Closed Sunday, September 1, 2019. Remaining closed unless forecast changes.


• 7490 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. Crystal River (Near Dan’s Clam Stand – on opposite side of road) – closes at 5:00pm today, Saturday, August 31st. Closed Sunday, September 1, 2019. Remaining closed unless forecast changes.


• Spruce Drive Boat Ramp – Hernando, off C-39, 4863 E. Spruce Drive, Dunnellon, FL 34434 – remains open today, Saturday, August 31st, and open Sunday, September 1, 2019. Hours are 7:00am to 7:00pm both days. Closed Monday, September 2, 2019 and remaining closed unless forecast changes.

***There is a limit of 15 bags per vehicle***

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Road maintenance Office at 527-7610.
Updates and information will also be made on Facebook throughout the event duration.