Hurricane Helene: Citrus County updates & information

INVERNESS, Fla. - As Hurricane Helene works its way toward Florida, here's what people in Citrus County need to know.

Citrus County Evacuations:

Citrus County has ordered a mandatory evacuation for licensed skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities located in Zone A beginning Wednesday, September 25, at 8 a.m.

Those living within evacuation Zone A or any structure countywide that is not capable of withstanding tropical storm force winds or greater are under a mandatory evacuation beginning Wednesday, September 25 at 2 p.m.

READ: Citrus County preparing for worst storm threat in 100 years as Helene draws near

Citrus County braces for Hurricane Helene

FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez reports.

Citrus County Closings:

Besides Citrus County schools, there are no closings to pass along at this time.

Citrus County Shelters:

Central Ridge Elementary School (General Population) - 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34434
Citrus High School (General Population) - 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452
Forest Ridge Elementary School (Special Needs) - 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442
Renaissance Center(Pet Friendly) - 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461

For more information on shelters, click here.

Citrus County Sandbags:

According to county officials, all sites will stay open for self-service 24 hours a day, seven days a week while supplies last.

Homosassa Recreation Park, 4210 S Grandmarch Ave, Homosassa
Bicentennial Park,501 N Baseball Point, Crystal River
Floral Park, 9530 S Parkside Ave, Floral City
Old Hernando Elementary School, 2435 N Florida Ave, Hernando

Sand and bags will be provided.

Staff will be on-site to help residents during the following hours:

Tuesday – 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday – 7: 30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Citrus County Schools:

Citrus County schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office decided to open shelters starting Wednesday, September 25 at 2 p.m. Because some of the schools are used as hurricane shelters, all schools will be closed after the scheduled half-day on Wednesday, September 25.

READ: Gov. Ron DeSantis warns of ‘significant’ storm impacts in Florida

After-school programs and extracurricular activities are canceled beginning Wednesday through Friday, September 27.

The YMCA before and after-school programs will follow this schedule as well.