Tropical Storm Debby Update: Closures, RTS, Waste Collection, and Boil Water Information

Page Content

Due to impacts from Tropical Storm Debby, the following offices will be closed tomorrow, August 5, 2024: Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, Alachua County libraries, Alachua County schools and district offices, the Alachua County Property Appraiser's Office, City of Waldo, Town of Archer, the City of High Springs, the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, and the Supervisor of Elections offices. If you have a question about another government entity or institution, please contact them directly.

Supervisor of Elections

The start of Early Voting for the 2024 Primary Election has been POSTPONED until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, due to Tropical Storm Debby.

All eight early voting locations, including the Supervisor of Elections Office, will be closed on Monday, August 5. Early voting is still scheduled to end on Saturday, August 17 at 6 p.m.

Waste Collection

Due to the potential for high winds, all Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery facilities and operations will not operate on Monday, August 5, 2024. This includes the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station, the Rural Collection Centers, the Hazardous Waste Collection Center, and the administrative offices.

Residential waste collection services including garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulky items will not be conducted on Monday, August 5, 2024. These services will resume on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, with all collections being delayed by one day through the rest of the week. Regular collection schedules will resume the following week.

Please bring any waste containers or items which you have placed curbside away from the street and secure them so they will not be scattered by the wind or otherwise become a hazard.

For more information about solid waste and resource recovery, contact Gus Olmos at 352-338-3233.

RTS

RTS busses are running on their normal schedules tomorrow (until winds make it unsafe). Today, RTS is waiving fares for passengers traveling to shelters.

Parks and Conservation Land

As of 5 p.m. today, all County parks, preserves, and boat ramps are closed. They will reopen after staff are able to check for storm damage and safety concerns.

Boil Water Information

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County reminds residents that heavy rainfall, especially if accompanied by a tidal surge or flooding, can contaminate your water supply. Consuming water that is contaminated can cause gastrointestinal illness. Do not assume that a water supply in the storm-affected area is safe to drink.

Your local utilities should inform you if you are under a boil water notice and when water is safe to drink.

Boil Water Information.

Monitor the US National Weather Service website at weather.gov/jax for the latest storm information, including anticipated local impacts. You can find the latest National Weather Service briefing packet at https://tinyurl.com/NWSJAX.

To aid our residents as the storm approaches, Alachua County has activated the 311 Emergency Information Line (352-264-6557 if 311 is unavailable in your area). This is for questions and rumor control. If you have a true emergency call 911.

Sign up for text alerts by texting the word ALACHUA to 888-777 to stay fully informed of any disaster related information related specifically to Alachua County.

Information on sandbags, closures, and other protective measures can be found at AlachuaCountyReady.com.

For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or [email protected].

Read All About It: Alachua County News and Updates

Keep up-to-date with all news and developments in your community, delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe​