Tampa Bay In Direct Path Of Hurricane Ian: Forecasters

TAMPA BAY, FL — Both forecast models used by the National Hurricane Center to predict storm tracks now have Hurricane Ian headed into Tampa Bay, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during an afternoon news conference in Tampa Bay.

The hurricane center in Miami typically uses the Global Forecast System Model and the European Model to forecast the path of hurricanes.

"What we've seen up until today was this European model taking the storm into Tampa Bay for a direct impact, which would obviously be very significant," DeSantis said. "This American model had it going more out into the Gulf, maybe even hitting the Panhandle. What's happened since then is the American model now says it's coming into Tampa Bay."

He said the bottom line is, even the experts can't provide a 100 percent accurate prediction, DeSantis said.

"We have had storms where people were really ready, like Dorian in 2019. They were projecting a direct hit on the east coast of Florida, and it turned, and that was a good thing," DeSantis said. "But some of the models that didn't take it into Tampa Bay are now taking it in. So the prospect of having a hurricane come onshore in the Tampa Bay area is real. And the prospect, even if it remains off the coast, of having historic storm surge and flooding is very, very real."

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The governor said the Florida National Guard has activated 5,000 members and there are 2,000 more guardsmen coming from Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Louisiana.

Additionally, there are five urban search-and-rescue teams activated, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

According to DeSantis, the Florida Highway Patrol will be implementing 12-hour shifts for troopers and the Coast Guard has brought in additional resources to aid on the Gulf Coast as the entire state waits under a state of emergency for the arrival of Hurricane Ian.

He said the state has also been in contact with major retailers like Walmart and Publix, whose staff said water is being bought up "at an incredibly brisk pace, and they're working on bringing in more."

After the storm hits, the Florida Department of Emergency Management will be delivering food and water to the area by helicopter, if necessary, DeSantis said.

The utility companies serving Tampa Bay — including Tampa Electric, Florida Power and Light and Duke Energy — have 25,000 linemen ready to get the power back on once the storm is over.

Those residents who are prepared to hunker down knowing their home is not at risk of blowing away or getting flooded should expect power outages, DeSantis said.

"Those outages can be lengthy," he said. "As you see the storm come in, you're going to see trees down. You're going to see power lines come down. Just prepare yourself that a storm of this magnitude is going to take power out, possibly for days."

DeSantis said the state has received 338 requests from counties and municipalities for assistance and has fulfilled 293 of those requests. Those that haven't been fulfilled will be once the storm passes, so supplies aren't left sitting in affected areas.

The state has deployed 210 medical professionals to special needs shelters in Hillsborough County and another 120 to surrounding counties. There are 300 ambulances on duty to support special needs evacuations, especially from hospitals and long-term care facilities.

The state is setting up a logistical staging area in Polk County and another will be established, most likely in Pinellas County.

"I think the counties are doing this in a very intelligent way," DeSantis said. "You don't want to do it willy-nilly when you don't know where the storm's going to be. But we have enough certainty that you could have major, major impacts in this region that they're giving you enough time to be able to evacuate if you're in those evacuation zones and to be able to make additional preparations if you're staying."

Florida Director of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie said telephone companies are ready to restore cell phone communications, but in past hurricanes, cell phone towers have gone down for days, so residents should have an alternative plan in place to communicate with family members in case there is no cell phone or Wi-Fi available.

"This could be the storm we have all feared," said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a lifelong Florida resident. "Please understand that these evacuations are very serious. You need to take preparation now."

She said one of the reasons for the state of emergency "is to make sure that everyone, regardless of economic status, has access to affordable supplies. So, the price gouging laws are in effect right now. That means you cannot take advantage of an emergency situation and drastically increase prices. We need people to be able to obtain these supplies for a reasonable price. If you do that, we will take action against you."

For those who must evacuate, DeSantis emphasized that doesn't necessarily mean traveling to another state. Simply taking refuge 20 miles inland is sufficient.

However, for those who are headed to the homes of friends and relatives around the state, DeSantis says he has suspended tolls in toll roads to keep traffic moving as quickly as possible.

He said there's already a 30 percent increase in traffic moving out of Tampa Bay, and he expects that to increase substantially on Tuesday.

At some point, the Florida Department of Transportation will open shoulders along state highways to provide an additional lane for vehicles leaving the area.

He said the FDOT explored the idea of making highways one-way roads for hurricane evacuations, but discounted the idea due to the need to get goods and services into the affected areas.