Hurricane Helene Update 12 - Storm Conditions, Waste Collection, Shelters and General Information

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​​This storm is extremely dangerous, and all care should be taken to keep you and your loved ones safe. If you are able, check in with your friends and neighbors to see if they need assistance.

Hurricane Helene will begin impacting our area mid-day today. Helene is intensifying and expected to reach Category 3 or 4 status by the time it makes landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday. Alachua County is likely to experience heavy rain (2-4 inches), flash flooding, and strong Tropical Storm force winds (39 to 73 mph) with possible Hurricane force gusts. There is a strong possibility of Tornados.

Be prepared for power outages, downed trees, and blocked roadways. To report downed trees blocking roadways or putting you in danger, call or text 911.

GFL has notified the County that they will not be collecting subscription residential waste collection customers for the remainder of the week. Customers who have not already received collection services this week will not receive service until their regularly scheduled collection day next week.

Subscription residential waste collection customers are those who reside outside of a municipality or the County's mandatory collection area and have contracted directly with GFL for their waste collection services.

All residents of Alachua County can use the Rural Collection Centers to dispose of household garbage, recyclables, and limited amounts of yard waste. The Rural Collection Centers will be open Friday and Saturday.

View a map showing the locations of the five Rural Collection Centers.

Alachua County has issued an Evacuation Order for those residing in mobile homes, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and homes that may not survive the storm, along with those living in areas subject to flooding or those in proximity to bodies of water. Alachua County trusts our residents to understand their individual circumstances and decide if they need to evacuate.

Learn more about pet-friendly general population and special needs shelters.

The state has partnered with Uber to provide Floridians free rides to shelters in all counties under a state of emergency for #Helene. Don't let a ride stop you and your family from getting to safety:

• Open the Uber app
• Tap Account on the bottom right & tap Wallet
• Add promo code HELENERELIEF
• Up to $35 each way, to and from a state-approved shelter​

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 an actual emergency, call 911.

For the latest storm track and updates, click here.

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.

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

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