TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday morning said the impacts of Hurricane Ian are expected to be felt on both coasts of the state as the storm strengthens and moves north later this week.
DeSantis gave an update on the state’s response during a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
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State officials expect Southwest Florida and other areas along the Gulf Coast to bear the brunt of the 500-mile-wide storm and experience a huge storm surge, but the east coast of the state from Miami to Jacksonville could also see flooding and widespread power outages.
Among the preparations, DeSantis said the Florida National Guard has activated 5,000 members and 2,000 more guards from other nearby states have been activated to help and the Florida Department of Transportation is suspending tolls at facilities in the Tampa Bay area and more areas could be added later. Five urban search and rescue teams have been activated, DeSantis said, and the state has the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission mobilized and ready to support needed efforts.
The state also issued waivers of weight restrictions for commercial trucks to ensure there is ample fuel and resources coming into Florida.
“There’s no need to panic buy if you normally don’t drink a lot of water, you may not need to go on by 20 gallons of water right now,” DeSantis said. “So, just do what you need to be prepared.”
FROM JOHN GAUGHAN | Ian’s impact on Jacksonville: Heavy rains, probable flooding and power outages
DeSantis added the state has been in contact with major retailers like Publix and Walmart and said they are constantly resupplying with key items. The state also authorized emergency refills of maintenance prescriptions for 30 days.
DeSantis said the state has also been in contact with the major utilities throughout Florida, particularly those that are servicing the Gulf Coast of Florida, and the companies said there are thousands of people that are staged and that are going to be ready to go when the storm passes to try to get power restored.
“But folks should be prepared if you’re in this region, that there is going to be an interruption of power so just plan on that,” DeSantis said. “Even if the eye of the storm doesn’t hit your region, you’re going to have really significant winds, it’s going to knock over trees, it’s going to cause interruptions and so that’s just the name of the game. So just be prepared for that.”
As of Monday afternoon, nine school districts in the Tampa Bay area have decided to close schools. DeSantis said parents can find the latest information on state school closures on the Florida Department of Education’s website.
Florida emergency officials urged residents to have a plan in place and listen to local officials regarding evacuations and other updates.
Current Watches and Warnings in Effect:
- Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Lower Keys (from the 7 Mile Bridge southward to Key West, and the Dry Tortugas).
- Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for portions of the Florida Gulf Coast stretching from Englewood to Chokoloskee (Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties).
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay.
- Storm Surge Watches are in effect for the Florida Keys and mainland Monroe County, as well as far southern Miami-Dade, Collier, coastal Lee, the Tampa Bay area and coastal Charlotte counties.
- Anclote River to Longboat Key including Tampa Bay… 5-10 ft
- Longboat Key to Englewood… 5-8 ft.
- Englewood to Bonita Beach, FL... 4-7 ft
- Bonita Beach to East Cape Sable, FL... 3-5 ft
- East Cape Sable to Card Sound Bridge, FL including Florida Bay...2-4 ft
- Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas... 2-4 ft
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
- FDEM is leading the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) for the Hurricane Ian response.
- The Division has received 361 resource requests for Hurricane Ian, and has already fulfilled 293 of those requests. Additional requests are currently being processed and are either en route or being mobilized. This includes the coordination of resources such as: trucks of food and water, generators, and water pumps.
- Five Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams are activated, and will be prepared to deploy to impacted areas.
- FDEM has begun setting up a Logistical Staging Areas in Polk County and is identifying potential additional staging areas and points of distribution to ensure food and water are readily available if counties request it.
- FDEM has loaded 360 trailers with over 2 million meals and over one million gallons of water in preparation for distribution to impacted areas.
- FDEM is in constant communication with all 67 county emergency management offices and state agencies to coordinate protective actions and needed resources ahead of potential storm impacts.
- FDEM is coordinating with utilities to ensure crews are prepared to respond and restore power. Utility providers have more than 25,000 linemen staged and prepared for power restoration efforts.