The City of Ocala is stepping up sandbag distribution efforts to help residents prepare for more severe weather. City Spokesman Sonny Allen says they have extended distribution hours and added another location where people can pick up sandbags for free.
Ocala experienced severe flooding early last week because of inclimate weather, which also caused road closures, power outages and sinkholes. Allen says there is nothing they can do to prevent sinkholes, but there are utility crews on standby through the night. He says the city is also able to deliver sandbags to anyone unable to pick them up. Sandbag stations will be open at the recycling site at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, recycling site at NE 14th Street and 8th Avenue, and Jervey Gantt Park by the swimming pool until 7 PM with each family allowed up to 10 bags.