After the flood: Ocala and Marion County open four sandbag locations; more rain expected
With the possibility of more rain and flooding, Ocala and Marion County officials have opened four sandbag locations for residents.
The locations:
+ E.D. Croskey Center, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala
+ Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Ave., Ocala
+ Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave., Ocala
+ Belleview Sportsplex, 6501 SE 107th St., Belleview
Sandbags were available noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.
There is no cost for the sandbags. The limit is 10 per person.
City officials said the sandbags can be used to prevent water from entering a residence or business. They can be put in front of doorways, garage doors and other areas around the home.
Lots of rain on Tuesday; more is coming
The sandbags come in response to the heavy rain that Marion County experienced Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service said the Ocala area received 4.1 inches to 5 inches in a four-hour stretch.
Many areas and roadways were flooded. Some roads had downed trees blocking them.
As of Wednesday morning, Southwest 27th Avenue (CR 475A) was closed between Southwest 66th Street and Southwest 42nd Street due to flooding. Also, the City of Ocala closed three parks:
Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave.
Fisher Park, 900 SE 22nd St.
S. Stanley Malever Nature Park, 1600 SE 30th Ave.
The National Weather Service has east, central and west Marion under a flood watch through Thursday evening.
"Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible," the advisory reads. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations."
Assessing the damage
On Wednesday, city and county officials were out assessing damage and pumping water from flooded communities. Wednesday afternoon, Ocala Fire Rescue reported a 30-foot-wide ground depression had opened just 5 feet from a residential structure at Southeast 28th Place and Southeast Fifth Terrace.
In a Tuesday night Facebook post, Ocala City Council member Kristen Dreyer said Ocala Fire Rescue "responded to 40-50 weather related calls including several sinkholes and a tree that fell on 3 automobiles" on Tuesday. She also said the Ocala Police Department "responded to numerous crashes and performed road duty on our flooded streets. 11 roads were closed due to flooding and as of this evening 3 have reopened."
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: With more rain coming, Ocala/Marion open four sandbag locations
