(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
The latest updates are available in our Thursday update file.
Hurricane Milton continued its path toward Florida's west coast on Wednesday, with landfall expected late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Marion County's storm shelters are open, and people are making their final preparations. Stay tuned here for the latest updates on Wednesday.
Marion County power outage report: 1 a.m. Thursday
As of 1 a.m. Thursday, 58,112 power outages had been reported. That's 19.8% of all accounts in the county. Learn more at our tracker, https://data.ocala.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
— Jim Ross
Flash flood warning for Marion County extended until 3 a.m. Thursday
The National Weather Service issued this statement:
"At 10:49 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly."
Also covered under this warning: west central Putnam County and southeastern Alachua County.
— Jim Ross
Marion County power outage report: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday
As of 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, 44,733 power outages had been reported. That's 15.2% of all accounts in the county. Learn more at our tracker, https://data.ocala.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
Marion County power outage report: 9:45 p.m. Wednesday
As of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, 28,709 power outages had been reported. That's 9.8% of all accounts in the county and more than double the number since 7:45 p.m. Learn more at our tracker, https://data.ocala.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
What's happening at the Emergency Operations Center in Ocala?
As of 9:20 p.m., officials gathered at the county's EOC were not planning any other meetings. They will continue to monitor information from callers and dispatch resources as needed. At 8:30 a.m. Thursday those officials are expected to have a meeting with National Weather Service officials.
— Austin L. Miller
Hurricane Milton made landfall at 8:30 p.m. at Siesta Key.
Here is the latest information.
Marion County power outages as of 7:45 p.m. Wednesday
As of 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, 12,812 power outages had been reported. That's 4.4% of all accounts in the county. Learn more at our tracker, https://data.ocala.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
— Jim Ross
What are conditions like in Marion County? 7:30 p.m. Wednesday report
Between 6 and 7 p.m. multiple gas stations, fast food restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses were open and planned to remain that way for at least a few more hours.
Though some gas stations had no gas, employees said people have been coming in and out purchasing various items.
Traffic on Southwest 17th Street, Baseline Road and State Road 40 was sparse in some spots but busy in others.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported standing water in the eastbound lane of the 4100 block of Southeast 100th Street in Belleview. At South Pine Avenue and Southwest Broadway Street in downtown Ocala a hole has opened up.
Troopers were investigating a vehicle crash in Summerfield. They said they will continue to work calls until it's no longer safe to do so. Road crews already have started sheltering in place.
As of 6 p.m., county officials said there were 1,360 people and 168 pets (dogs, cats, rats and a hamster) in county storm shelters.
At the Emergency Operations Center building, located on the Marion County Sheriff's Office campus in Ocala, roughly 100 people from the county, city of Ocala, schools, utilities and other entities were huddled in a room watching televisions and listening to meetings with the National Weather Services meteorologists who are monitoring the weather in Marion County.
In the press room, which is separate from the main room where officials are gathered, representatives from the Star-Banner, Click Orlando Channel 6 and TV 20 were working.
— Austin L. Miller
Marion County is under a flash flood warning until 11:45 p.m. Wednesday
Hurricane Milton is bringing lots of rain to Marion County and the surrounding area. The National Weather Service has placed Marion under a flash flood warning until 11:45 p.m. and issued this bulletin:
"At 5:45 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly."
In addition to Marion, the warning covers west central Putnam County and southeastern Alachua County.
— Jim Ross
The latest on Hurricane Milton:Meteorologist's live forecast to keep you safe through landfall
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods has a message for post-storm looters: Don't come here.
"To any looters, do not come into this county because I promise you, I have a place for you. I’ll keep you in a permanent shelter for a while," the sheriff said in his Wednesday afternoon Facebook post.
— Jim Ross
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods: Thousands of people have come to Marion to escape Hurricane Milton.
In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Billy Woods said: "I also want to make you aware that we have many non-residents here — people who have evacuated from South Florida. Our population has increased by roughly 37,000, and we currently have over 1,300 people in our shelters. We still have space for just under 10,000 more. So, if you’re in the southern part of the state and still looking for shelter, you are welcome here in Marion County."
— Jim Ross
What kind of damage is Hurricane Milton causing in Florida?
This interactive map shows impacts and damage reports coming in to National Weather Service stations.
— Jim Ross
Sandbags and seeking shelter: Wednesday photos in Ocala as Hurricane Milton approaches
Check out staff photographer Doug Engle's photos from Wednesday:
City and Marion County officials monitoring areas known to flood
Marion County government says: "We are monitoring the storm with sheriff's office and emergency management and we have crews on standby to get roads open as quickly as possible."
City of Ocala officials said they have eight pumps "deployed to areas that historically been issues in heavy rainfall." They also said: "Our retention areas are exceptionally well prepared due to our prep efforts for Helene a few weeks ago and the lower than expected rainfall we received then."
— Austin L. Miller
Are hotels in Ocala and Marion County filled?
Kevin Sheilley, head of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP), said the organization has spoken with a majority of hotel officials, and a majority of the properties here are filled. They include the World Equestrian Center, HDG Hotels and ARK Hospitality, which has chains such as Holiday Inn, Spring Hill Suites and Marriott. Sheilley said among those guests staying at the hotels are those fleeing areas that are expected to be affected by the hurricane, linemen, and first responders who will be deployed to damage communities once the storm passes.
— Austin L. Miller
Gas shortages grow in Florida ahead of Milton
Have you tried to top off your tank, only to find the pump handles covered with bags? USA TODAY has the statewide look here.
— Jim Ross
Is Publix open in Ocala? Walgreens?
Details available in this story.
Sandbag distribution in Ocala and Marion County
As of Wednesday morning, Marion County and Ocala city officials said more than 80,000 sandbags have been distributed to residents. The nine sandbag locations opened Sunday.
— Austin L. Miller
Law enforcement work shifts in Ocala and Marion County
Law enforcement officials from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon Police Departments, as well as Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be working 12-hour shifts during the storm. Each agency has divided its personnel into A and B squads working days and nights. If wind gust exceeds 40 mph, they won't respond to calls unless it's an extreme emergency.
— Austin L. Miller
How are Marion County election officials keeping ballots and equipment safe?
Wesley Wilcox, the Marion County supervisor of elections, said his office picked up roughly 3,000 mail ballots from the post office Wednesday morning. Those ballots will be counted and stored with the rest of the mail-in ballots in a secure area of his building.
He said the ballots, along with all electronic equipment, will have extra covering to keep them safe. According to the elections office website, as of 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, the office has received 7,709 mail-in ballots.
— Austin L. Miller
How many people are in the Marion County storm shelters?
As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, county officials said 703 people and 79 pets are in shelters. Those same officials said the county's animal services has three pet friendly shelters available for those who need it. Presently, at West Port High School there are three dogs and a cat. At Lake Weir High School, there are nine dogs and three cats. At Vanguard High School, there are 47 dogs and 16 cats.
The list of shelters can be found in this story.
— Austin L. Miller
'A very dangerous hurricane when it reaches Florida'
That's how the National Hurricane Center describes Milton in its latest guidance. For the latest on the storm track and overall forecast, check here.
— Jim Ross
(This story was updated to add new information)
(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video)
