Tropical Storm Ian: Essential information for Columbia County -- Shelters Closed

The following information was sent by Columbia County.

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Columbia County: Tropical Storm Ian Update

Sept. 29, 12:57p.m.:

Columbia County: Hurricane Shelters Closed

(Columbia County, FL) All Columbia County Emergency Storm Shelters are closed. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is continuing operations. The Citizens Information Center (CIC) will remain open throughout the evening into the morning.

Citizen Information Center Hotline: 386.719.7530

Waste Pick Up

Due to projected storm conditions over the next 24-hours waste pickup service is cancelled for Thursday and Friday. Regular pickup service will resume Monday, October 3.

Unfortunately, due to staff constraints committed to storm damage assessment, make up collection days will not take place. In an effort to assist residents that will not receive service on Thursday and Friday, Winfield Solid Waste Facility (located at 1347 NW Oosterhoudt Lane, Lake City, FL 32055) will accept Class 1 general household garbage Saturday and Monday. Garbage is not to exceed a reasonable weeks’ worth of waste from a household.

Waste disposal fees will be waived from 7:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1 and Monday, October 3. Waste fees will be reinstated Tuesday, October 4.

Public Offices

The Board of County Commissioners offices will reopen tomorrow, September 30.

The Columbia County library will reopen Friday, September 30 at 9:00 a.m.

The Columbia County Tax Collector will reopen tomorrow, September 30 with limited staff. The main office and drive-thru lane will open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally, the Tax Collector has extended September Installment payments through Friday, October 7. Individuals can still pay online at any time.

Sept. 28, 10:48 a.m.:

(Columbia County, FL) Columbia County officials continue to monitor Hurricane Ian. Currently, there are no watches or warnings for Columbia County. Forecasted weather conditions for the county have improved as the storm has shifted east. Rainfall is anticipated to be between and 4-6 inches with sustained winds between 20-25 mph and gusts up to 30-40 mph. The rain and winds are expected Thursday through Friday and have the potential to continue into Saturday.

Updated office closures:

The Tax Collector will be closed Thursday through Friday and will resume normal business operations on Monday.

The Property Appraiser will be closed Thursday through Friday and will resume normal business operations on Monday.

The Health Department and Environmental Health offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, as health officials perform emergency storm functions throughout the County. Offices will resume normal operations on Monday.

The Supervisor of Elections will be closed Thursday and Friday. The office will resume normal business operations on Monday.

The baseball and softball tournaments at Southside Sports Complex are cancelled for this weekend. While this opened up some of the reserved hotel rooms, we encourage individuals to contact hotels directly prior to arrival to confirm availability and make reservations.

Sept. 27, 2:36 p.m.: Afternoon Update

Columbia County: Tuesday Afternoon Hurricane Ian Update

(Columbia County, FL) The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners declared a state of emergency for the County effective today at 9:00 a.m. Hurricane Ian is currently off the coast of Cuba and anticipated to make landfall late Wednesday into early Thursday morning in the Southwest Florida area.

Columbia County is not under any storm watches or warnings at this time. Forecasts predict Columbia County will receive 6-8″ of rain and sustained tropical storm force winds with possible gusts of hurricane force winds beginning late Wednesday evening into Thursday morning with the probability of sustained winds for a 24-hour period.

The Citizens Information Center (CIC) will open at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning and will remain open 24/7 throughout the duration of the storm. The hotline number is 386-719-7530.

Columbia County will open two general population and one hybrid emergency shelter locations Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to function as a host shelter and assist emergency evacuation efforts. The emergency shelter locations provide shelter and restroom facilities for individuals seeking refuge from Hurricane Ian. The hybrid shelter location will have special needs capabilities. Please note Columbia County emergency shelters are not open to pets or animals. FIREARMS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN PUBLIC SHELTERS.

Due to limited space at emergency shelters, we encourage individuals seeking shelter to first contact family and friends that have a safe and secure building structure, and request to stay as a guest during or after the storm.

Additionally, hotels in Columbia County have limited availability, and it is recommended that individuals contact hotels directly for reservations prior to arrival to confirm rooms are available.

Emergency Shelter Locations:

Winfield Community Center1324 NW Winfield St. Lake City, Fl. 32055

Pinemount Elementary School**Hybrid Location**324 SW Gabriel Place Lake City, FL 32024

Fort White High School17828 SW State Road 47Fort White, Fl. 32038

For more information regarding emergency shelters please contact the Citizens Information Center (CIC) at 386.719.7530.

Columbia County Board of County Commission offices and staff will transition to emergency activation roles Wednesday. Normal business operations will resume Monday. Please contact the CIC at 386-719-7530 with any questions.

Waste pickup service will run normal operations until noon Wednesday, September 28 and will resume normal operating hours when storm conditions have ceased.

Columbia County Libraries will be closed Thursday through the weekend and reopen Monday, October 3.

Columbia County parks will close Wednesday, September 28 and reopen Monday, October 3.

County owned retention ponds have been pumped to lower water levels and help ease potential flooding impacts.

Columbia County Schools will host school through Virtual Instruction on Wednesday, September 28 from home as school facilities will be closed. School operations will be completely closed Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30. Normal school operations will resume Monday, October 3.

Belmont Charter School will be closed Wednesday through Friday.

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Sept. 26, 11:32 a.m.: Columbia County: Sandbags and Hurricane Ian Update

(Columbia County, FL) Columbia County emergency officials are monitoring Hurricane Ian currently moving through the Caribbean Sea. The County is organizing hurricane preparation and emergency response efforts. There is no immediate threat to the area.

Columbia County will distribute sandbags beginning Tuesday, September 27, 2022, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at three locations:

• o Columbia County Public Works, 607 NW Quinten St, Lake City, FL 32055
• o Southside Sports Complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Dr, Lake City, FL 32025
• o Ft. White Community Center, 17579 FL-47, Fort White, FL 32038

There is a fifteen (15) sandbag limit per vehicle. Residents are responsible for filling sandbags; however, elderly and special needs assistance will be available.

The next update will be released from the County Tuesday afternoon after the Board of County Commission staff meeting.

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