Sumter County

The Villages braces for Eta’s impact

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Emergency management is beefing up staffing to make sure they are ready for anything the storm can bring.

So far, the county said they have not opened any shelters, but the schools will be closed on Thursday due to the storm.

ETA LIVE UPDATES: Rain bands approaching Central Florida, tornado risk still exists overnight; see timing, threats

Channel 9 reporter Deanna Allbrittin is in The Villages, where flooding is a concern, especially in low-lying areas particularly in more rural parts of the county where there isn’t as much lighting.

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said it could be hard for people to tell the severity.

Storm safety: What to do when a tornado warning is issued in your area

Casto said most of the county will be able to absorb two to three inches of rain, but he is concerned about the tornado risk overnight as people sleep, which is why he wants you to be prepared now.

“Everybody needs to have the ability to receive an alert and emergency alert in the middle of the night,” he said. So we want everybody to have their weather radios on their cell phones on."

READ: Floridians from coast to coast preparing for Tropical Storm Eta

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.