Floridians woke up Monday to Hurricane Ian, a storm that is expected to quickly strengthen to a major hurricane as it bears down on the state.
The National Hurricane Center on Monday morning placed Tampa Bay under a hurricane watch and a storm surge watch. Tampa Bay remained firmly in the storm’s forecast cone, though forecasters said there was still a great deal of uncertainty about Ian’s path.
Regardless of the track and intensity, there is a risk the Tampa Bay area and other parts of the Gulf Coast could see life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and heavy rainfall. Effects could begin as early as Tuesday and officials urged the region to take advantage of the last full day to prepare and heed evacuation orders. Evacuation orders were announced Monday for some in Hillsborough County and were expected in Pinellas by Tuesday. Read more at www.tampabay.com
