Press Releases

The Levy County School Board announced that all Levy County Schools will be closed on Friday, September 1, 2023.

The Number 4 Bridge going on-to the Island of Cedar Key has been reopened. There are no further restrictions to enter this island community. A boil water notice for residents of Cedar Key has been ordered.

Access to the Town of Yankeetown is now unrestricted. Re-entry pass requirements to this community have been lifted.

POD locations are still open for those who need essential items such as water and MRE’s.

We want to thank everyone for their patience during this natural disaster. We also want to thank our Government partners at the Florida National Guard, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Their help with security and guaranteeing the safety of Levy County citizens during and after Hurricane Idalia has been invaluable.

Levy County is now moving into recovery and clean-up operations. Here are the following updates you need to know:

• The Levy County Landfill is open and has resumed normal operational hours.
• All emergency shelters have been closed.
• Local government offices will resume normal operations tomorrow 9/1/23.
• Levy County Schools will announce a re-opening date and time later today.
• The Mandatory Evacuation Order has been lifted.

Some low lying areas are still holding water. This water is not safe and could contain contaminants which will cause illness. Please do not wade through these standing pockets of water.

Do not drive through standing water. Sink holes are always a danger and/or the roadway could be washed out.
Operate generators in well ventilated areas. Do not plug the generator into your home unless specifically wired for this. Plug the appliance directly into the generator itself. Improper use of a generator could back-feed and cause downed lines to energize creating a deadly situation for our linesmen. Downed power lines must be avoided.

All Levy County boat ramps will remain closed today and tomorrow.

Essential supply PODS are deployed at the following locations: These locations have water and MRE’s available to those residents in need.

Cedar Key Community Center 809 6th St, Cedar Key
Rosewood Baptist Church 6331 SW 98th Terrace, Cedar Key
Otter Creek Town Hall 555 2nd Ave, Otter Creek
Gulf Hammock Fire Station 2851 SE County Rd 326, Inglis
Yankeetown Water Plant CR 40 Yankeetown

Entry onto the Island of Cedar Key is restricted to residents and business owners only. Individuals must present their re-entry pass. The City of Cedar Key is only accepting donations of meals ready-to-eat at this time. All other donations for these residents cannot be accepted today. The City is not ready to accept in-kind donations today.

Yankeetown has closed County Road 40 West and County Road C40A at School Craft Drive. Only residents of the Town of Yankeetown are being allowed entry and must present their re-entry pass. All others who need assistance in re-entry to Yankeetown can call City Hall at (352) 447-2511.

Levy County Rumor Control and damage reporting lines are open: (352) 486-5155 or (352) 486-5576.

August 30, 2023

Emergency response is underway in Levy County. Deputies along with other law enforcement and the National Guard have launched rescue operations. Those in immediate need are asked to call 911.

The high tide cycle is not expected to peak until 2:00 today. The flooding will become worse as we approach high tide.

Levy County Schools are closed tomorrow Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Those needing to report damage to businesses and residential homes are asked to call 352-486-5155.

Additional evacuation shelters have been activated for Levy County residents and those in need of shelter. The Williston Middle/High School will be operational at 5:00 P.M. today. Those seeking shelter are asked to bring essential need items such as: blankets, pillows, medication and personal hygiene items. This shelter location is NOT a pet friendly location. The Bronson Middle/High School is not at capacity and is the Levy County pet friendly shelter location.

Signage and law enforcement will direct citizens to the entrance area into the Williston shelter parking .location.

Hurricane Idalia Evacuation Order Issued

August 28, 2023 12:45 p.m.

A MANDATORY EVACUATION has been ordered for Levy County residents and visitors in the coastal areas of Levy County.  This includes, but is not limited to Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Fowlers Bluff, Fanning Springs, and any other area that is prone to storm surge. Please start your preparations for evacuations as soon as possible, and be completed by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2023.  Residents and visitors of Cedar Key need to be off the island before the storm surge arrives. The bridges throughout the island cannot withstand the storm surge and will become impassable.  Once the storm surge comes in, help may not be available to reach you.

All Levy County Public offices will be closed for business Tuesday, August 29^th and Wednesday, August 30^th. This closure includes the Court House and Judicial services.

August 28, 2023

Levy County is preparing for Hurricane Idalia landfall Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday early morning. The county is making emergency preparations to ensure the safety of our citizens and visitors. Flooding, Hurricane force winds and life-threatening storm surge are major concerns. The following emergency orders have been passed:

Levy County Schools have been canceled Tuesday (8/29/23) and Wednesday (8/30/23)

Special needs shelter will be open at the Bronson Elementary School; 400 Ishie Avenue Bronson, Florida at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning (8/29/23)

General population and pet friendly shelter will be open at the Bronson Middle/High School; 351 Ishie Avenue Bronson, Florida at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning (8/29/23). Williston Middle High School shelter will be open once Bronson Middle High is near capacity.

Citizens with animals that need to be sheltered need to bring a crate, food, bottled water (1 gallon jug per animal) and any medications. Owners must provide Rabies vaccine certificate and proof of distemper parvo/ feline distemper vaccine. Levy County Animal Services will provide vaccines for addition $10.00 per vaccines. All animals will be sheltered at the Levy County Animal Control shelter if you cannot provide proof of vaccinations. Citizens who have pet questions should call (352) 486-5138.

All county boat ramps will be closed at end of business today, Monday 8/28/23

The Cedar Key airport will be closed

Sandbag locations are now operational at the following locations:

Gulf Hammock Fire Station

Cedar Key Community Center

Rosewood Baptist Church

Yankeetown Water Plant

Inglis Municipal Building

Bronson Town Hall

Chiefland Maintenance Yard

Fowler’s Bluff Fire Station

Morriston Fire Station 11

Fanning Springs Fire Station

Empty lot across from the Williston Police Department

 

Levy County citizens information lines are now operational and a representative can answer your questions: 352-486-5155 or 352-486-5576.

August 21, 2023

On August 18, 2023 Jakarr T. White registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law White is required to notify law enforcement whenever he changes addresses.

Jakarr T. White was convicted in 2013 for Lewd and Lascivious Battery victim between 12-15 years old.  White has registered his address as: 1650 SE 140 Terrace, Morriston, Florida 32668.

For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us and go to the sexual offender data base.

Sexual Predator:

Jakarr T White

1650 SE 140 Terrace

Morriston, Florida 32668

Black/Male

DOB: 2/16/92

Levy County students are returning for the 2023-2024 School Year tomorrow, August 10th. We anticipate heavy vehicle traffic in and around all of our school campuses, especially for the first few days. We want to remind motorists to SLOW DOWN, BE ALERT, and BE PATIENT.

School busses will return to their normal morning and afternoon traffic patterns, picking up and dropping off students at designated school bus stops throughout the county. Motorist can expect traffic delays as student’s board and disembark. Motorists are reminded to be extra cautious and slow down in and around school bus stop locations and NEVER pass a stopped bus.

Please visit the school web page for the most up to date information.

School Resource Deputies have been training all summer in anticipation for the students return. Active shooter, first aid and campus security were their main focus. Sheriff McCallum ensures each campus has the most qualified and highly trained deputy sheriff on school property.

Sheriff McCallum and each School Resource Deputy wishes each student a successful learning year and ask those who travel through these school zones to be patient and alert to help us protect our future.