Ian is coming!
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Calls Hurricane “Major”, Tampa Officials Release compulsory clearance order Monday morning to parts of the city.
“We didn’t make this decision easily, but hurricanes are a serious threat, and we must do everything we can to protect our residents,” Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise told a news conference.
The sequence prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ian affected approximately 300,000 residents. The storm had reached 85mph winds by Monday afternoon as the Cuba and Florida Keys braced for being in the first place.
Winds are expected to reach 120mph as it rises and moves north into western Florida.
The local people had already started hoarding water and other weekend supplies, And reports circulated late Monday that gas stations were seeing long lines and limited supplies.
Tampa officials announced mandatory evacuation orders for parts of the city ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival.
Hurricane Ian is currently 500 miles wide.
Wise recommended that evacuees seek shelter at least 20 miles inland rather than relying on limited and often overcrowded shelter locations.
Florida areas A through F provide hurricane risk in the system, with Zones A being the weakest and F the least.
Local officials had issued Category A for evacuations in some areas of Tampa Bay, while others were in Category B for voluntary evacuations.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said his department is increasing patrols in vacant areas to protect against property crimes and other disruptions.
Hillsborough County School District was one of ten Florida districts to close its buildings this week with the approach of Ian.
“This is a really, really big storm,” DeSantis said. Monday morning briefing, Given that Ian is currently 500 miles wide and is currently large enough to affect the entire state.
He predicted heavy flooding, particularly in Tampa, and said additional medical personnel, ambulances, generators and water pumps have been deployed to the area.
Statewide, DeSantis said 5,000 Florida National Guard members have been activated, as well as an additional 2,000 troops from nearby states, including Georgia and Tennessee.
Search and rescue teams are also being marshaled across the state.
Officials urged residents to prepare appropriately without clearing the shelves.
“There’s no need to panic buying,” DeSantis said, noting that state officials are coordinating with major retailers to ensure Ian’s supply should be restricted.
He advised Sunshine staters to collect whatever medications and prescriptions they might need for the next 30 days.
DeSantis warned that heavy traffic should be in place as Ian bears evacuation orders spread across the state.
“When you have millions of people in a metro area, no matter how it’s done, you’re going to have traffic,” he said. “That’s the only reality.”