Ian could hit Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 hurricane —and more than 300,000 have been given the emergency evacuation order in and around the Tampa Bay area.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has suspended tolls around the Tampa Bay area and mobilized 5,000 Florida state national guard troops, with another 2,000 on standby in neighboring states.
DeSantis provided an update on Twitter Monday afternoon.
“Ian has strengthened into a hurricane and is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. I encourage Floridians to ensure they are prepared and that their emergency supply kit is stocked with supplies.”
#Ian has strengthened into a hurricane and is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. I encourage Floridians to ensure they are prepared and that their emergency supply kit is stocked with supplies.
Follow @FLSERT for updates. pic.twitter.com/emuw7fBzgJ
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 26, 2022
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told the press corp any bad blood between Biden and DeSantis won’t affect the emergency response services for the people of Florida.
“It’s about the people of Florida. It’s not about public officials, especially in this time. And so again, the president, as president of the United States, as president for — for folks in red states and blue states, he’s going to keep that commitment. And you have seen him do that over the course of the 19 months when there has been extreme — extreme events, extreme weather that has happened again in blue states and red states,” she said.
President Biden also declared an emergency due to the hurricane.
From The New York Post:
President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Florida on Saturday as Tropical Storm Ian gained strength and barreled toward the Sunshine State.
Biden’s declaration came after he delayed a trip to southern Florida scheduled for Tuesday, when he was set to discuss health care in Fort Lauderdale and then attend a Democratic National Committee event in Orlando, the Miami Herald reported.
The declaration authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance, according to the White House.
This story is developing…
Hurricane Ian nears Cuba, strengthens to Category 3 as it targets Florida https://t.co/FQNoQeF0IN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 27, 2022
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