Hurricane Ian Forecast To Hit Pasco County As Major Hurricane

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is warning Tampa Bay residents, including Pasco County, to expect impacts from Hurricane Ian, which is expected to arrive as a major Category 3 or 4 hurricane.

DeSantis updated residents during a new conference at 11 a.m. Monday at the Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee

"Even if the eye of the storm doesn't hit the region, you're going to have significant wind impacts," DeSantis said.

He told residents to be ready to take care of their families and pets, and leave their homes behind.

"We can fix property damage. We can help rebuild," he said. "You have to take care of yourself."

DeSantis said the state has been in touch with grocery store chains to make sure there is plenty of water and other supplies available to residents.

The state has also made arrangements to resupply gas stations, although gas shortages will be inevitable with the closure of Port Tampa Bay, which is being completely shut down in anticipation of the hurricane, the only Florida port to completely shut down as a result of Hurricane Ian.

"We've contacted folks to bring fuel in if necessary, and gas stations are now getting resupplied," he said. "But there is likely to be some interruption of fuel at some point, so people just have to be prepared."

Joining him will be Florida Disaster Emergency Manager Kevin Guthrie and Maj. Gen. James O. Eifert, adjutant general of the Florida National Guard.

DeSantis said he's lifted tolls on most of the state's toll roads to keep traffic flowing as quickly as possible.

Among them are the Suncoast Parkway, the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Veterans Expressway, Florida's Turnpike, the Sunshine Skyway and the Pinellas Bayway.

Nevertheless, emergency management directors warn that a one-hour drive could take up to 10 hours as a number of counties declare mandatory evacuations.

DeSantis said he's also activated 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen and another 2,000 National Guard members are on their way to Florida from Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana to assist.

In addition to activating the state's emergency operations center at 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd. in Tallahassee, counties along the west coast have activated their emergency operations centers and information lines, including Pasco County Emergency Management, which is monitoring the storm and working with other county departments to prepare drainage areas and man sandbag stations.

Related: Hurricane Ian Brings Storm Surge Threat, Hurricane Watch For Tampa Bay

The forecast at this time shows the storm affecting Pasco County starting late Tuesday and early Wednesday with significant amounts of rain, storm surge and dangerous winds.

It appears likely that it will be a slow-moving storm, so effects are expected well into Thursday. As a result, the county expects that flooding and debris could result in some roads being impassable on Friday.

Pasco County can expect to experience 10 hours of tropical-force winds, 30 hours of heavy rains and 15 feet of storm surge.

As a result, all Pasco County public schools will be closed Tuesday through Friday along with all after-school programs, athletic events and extracurricular activities.

The county is urging residents to prepare:

• Secure loose items around your home and yard: lawn chairs, umbrellas, trash cans, etc.
• Have a plan for you and your family: accommodations, child/elder/pet care, etc.
• Pack your disaster kit with essential supplies for your family and pets.
• Sign up for Alert Pasco and download the MyPasco App for county updates.
• Monitor local media & weather outlets for storm updates.

Six sandbag sites are now open in Pasco County to help protect property from flood waters:

• W.H. Jack Mitchell, Jr., Park: 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey
• Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
• Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Avenue, New Port Richey
• Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
• Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel

Sandbag sites are self-serve and open 24/7 to Pasco County residents. Sandbags are provided, but
you must bring your own shovels to fill the bags. Crews will restock the sand daily.

Download the 2022 Pasco County Disaster Preparedness Guide here.

For more information about preparing for disasters, click here.