Wildwood city commissioners on Monday evening unanimously approved a declaration of emergency for all of Wildwood due to Hurricane Ian.

Wildwood City Hall will close at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. It is tentatively scheduled to reopen at 8:00 a.m. Friday. City departments and services not directly related to public safety and essential infrastructure will not operate during the closure. Residents with storm-related concerns should call 352-689-4400.

Wildwood’s state of emergency follows one declared for all of Sumter County by its board of commissioners Monday and executive orders issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency throughout Florida.

“We are working closely with Sumter County as we adhere to the city’s approved Emergency Operations Plan,” said Jason McHugh, city manager. “Wildwood’s law enforcement, public works, utilities, and fleet departments will be working as needed to protect citizens during this emergency.”

Sumter County, which serves as lead for local emergency management programs and services, operates the county’s emergency operations center and emergency shelters. It has advised those living in mobile, manufactured, and modular homes; recreational vehicles; and flood-prone areas, as well as those who do not feel safe alone, to consider evacuating before the storm.

The county announced Monday that Wildwood Elementary School and Sumter County Fairgrounds will open Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. as emergency general population shelters for those in need, and a special-needs shelter will open at the Wildwood Community Center on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.

County emergency management officials recommend evacuating to a site-built home of a relative or friend as a better option, if available. County emergency shelters do not provide cots, blankets, or other supplies, but are pet friendly. Anyone needing refuge in a county emergency shelter should call ahead to verify the shelter is open and get details on what to bring.

Sumter County also opened a self-service sandbag facility at the Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreation Park. Residents need to provide proof of residence within Sumter County and should bring a shovel if possible.

For more information about shelters, sandbags, and other emergency management services, visit www.sumterprepares.com or call 352-689-4400.