DeSantis: Prepare for Power Disruptions, Listen to Local Officials, Florida is Ready for Post-Storm Recovery

Amber Jo Cooper contributed to this report.

SARASOTA (FLV) – While the direct path of Hurricane Ian is still unknown to state officials, they are urging Floridians to take precautions and prepare now while there is still some time. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis, along with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Emergency Management and Florida National Guard held a press conference Tuesday. 

Threat Increasing to Southwest Florida

As of Tuesday around noon, projections showed the eye of the storm shifting east toward southwest Florida. However, DeSantis warned residents that the eye of the storm could still “wobble” in either direction. 

“There’s still time for it to wobble, but I think most of the forecasts are anticipating a landfall, then a slow to almost a crawl, which is going to put a lot of saturation in the ground,” he said.

With an increasing threat to Southwest Florida, Sarasota County called for a mandatory evacuation of Level A and B. The evacuation also applies to vessels, RVs, mobile and manufactured homes. 

Utilities will shut off water service to all residents and businesses located on Siesta Key and Casey Key beginning between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, evacuation orders have also been issued in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Levy, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. 

The issue with the storm is the “major water event” and storm surge on the horizon. 

“If you are in one of these low lying areas and you have the potential for 10 to 15 feet of storm surge, that can absolutely be life threatening,” DeSantis said. 

Prepare for Disruptions, Listen to Local Governments

The governor said to be prepared to lose power and understand there may be interruptions in fuel. 

“So when you’re making preparations just be prepared to be able to make do without having consistent power,” DeSantis said. “And that may be a matter of days.”

Floridians are encouraged to keep cash on hand, secure outside plants and furniture. Florida officials encourage residents to pay attention to their local governments on whether they need to evacuate. There are shelters opened in some counties, however, officials encourage the shelters to be a last case scenario. 

“But the most important thing with the evacuation, just get to the higher ground, get to safe structure,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you have to be in a place where there’s no storm, or you’re not going to face anything.”

Medically Dependent Residents in Sarasota County are being encouraged to seek shelter ahead of Hurricane Ian. Officials said if you depend on electricity to seek shelter now – either with a family member or shelter.

The Florida Highway Patrol placed 330 Quick Reactionary Force troopers on standby who are ready to move into affected areas. All 1,766 sworn FHP are also ready to help with evacuation efforts. 

The Florida National Guard activated 5,000 Florida guardsmen on top of 2,000 guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. Five urban search and rescue teams are activated as well as the U.S. Coast Guard on standby.

Residents are encouraged to visit Floridadisaster.org/planprepare for additional information on preparation. 

After the Storm

Regardless of where the storm tracks, the Sarasota County EMA Director said pre-landfall food and water is staged to help counties in need. Following the storm, the governor said there are FWC officers ready with high-water vehicles and shallow draft vessels in Florida counties. 

All ports currently have adequate fuel supplies and are staging measures to be well-positioned for after the storm to keep supplies moving. 

“The seaports in the cone of influence have begun suspending operations in terms of sea traffic and staging appropriate measures to safely restore operations as soon as the storm passes through,” said FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue. 

Some bridges will close once the wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour. However, after the storm passes officials plan to quickly inspect the bridges so they can reopen for travel.