Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference on Sunday at 11:30 am. with the Florida Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech in reference to Tropical Storm Ian.
The storm, currently in the central Caribbean Sea, is expected to become a hurricane by late Sunday and to become a major hurricane — meaning a Category 3 — by Monday or Tuesday, forecasters said.
On Saturday, President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida that Gov. DeSantis requested on Friday, as the state faces a potential major hurricane from what is now Tropical Storm Ian, the White House said.
“The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and St. Lucie counties and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida,” said Fema.
The storm could reach Florida’s gulf coast by Wednesday or Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
“Ian is forecast to be a major hurricane when it passes near or over western Cuba, and there is increasing confidence in a life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds in portions of western Cuba beginning late Monday. Hurricane and tropical storm watches are now in effect for much of western Cuba,” said NHC.
“Ian is expected to remain a major hurricane when it moves generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the middle of the week, but uncertainty in the long-term track and intensity forecast is higher than usual. Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a risk of dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of the week, and residents in Florida should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and closely monitor updates to the forecast,” said NHC.
We will stream the Governor’s press conference live, so check back on tampafp.com at 11:30 am Sunday.
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