MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities are advising residents to stay off the roads as crews work to assess and clear the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported debris, downed power lines, and potential flooding across the area, making travel hazardous.
“As day breaks and we begin to get a full picture of the damage, it’s crucial to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary,” officials stated Thursday morning. Power outages are widespread, affecting traffic signals throughout the county, and residents are reminded to treat intersections with non-functioning lights as four-way stops.
Emergency responders and utility crews are focusing on clearing roadways and restoring essential services. Officials also warned that floodwaters may contain hazardous chemicals, sewage, or live power lines, posing additional risks.
Residents are encouraged to report outages directly to their power companies and to notify authorities of downed trees or power lines using the non-emergency line at (352) 732-9111. Authorities emphasized that residents should not attempt to move power lines or handle debris tangled in them.
Officials are urging patience as cleanup and recovery efforts continue. Further updates will be provided as conditions improve and road hazards are addressed.