Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness for Hurricane Ian

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. Full remarks from this morning’s press conference are available here.

Hurricane Ian was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane today. It is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the end of this week. The Florida Keys and southern Florida could see tropical-storm force winds as early as tonight. Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a significant risk of life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of this week.

Current Warnings and Watches in Effect

• Tropical Storm Warnings are in force for the Lower Keys (from Key West's 7 Mile Bridge southward to Key West and the Dry Tortugas).
• Tropical Storm Watches have been placed for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast, from Englewood to Chokoloskee, (Charlotte, Collier and Lee Counties).
• A Hurricane Watch is in place for Englewood and the Anclote River, which includes Tampa Bay.
• Storm Surge Watches have been put in place for the Florida Keys, mainland Monroe County, far southern Miami-Dade and Collier, as well as the Tampa Bay Area and coastal Charlotte counties.
• Anclote River to Longboat Key including Tampa Bay… 5-10 ft
• Longboat Key to Englewood… 5-8 ft.
• Englewood to Bonita Beach, FL… 4-7 ft
• Bonita Beach to East Cape Sable, FL… 3-5 ft
• East Cape Sable to Card Sound Bridge, FL including Florida Bay…2-4 ft
• Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas… 2-4 ft

State response and preparation efforts include:

Florida Division of Emergency Management

• FDEM is leading SERT (State Emergency Response Team) for Hurricane Ian response.
• The Division has received 361 requests for resources in response to Hurricane Ian and has fulfilled 293 of them. Additional requests are being processed at the moment and are either being sent or already being mobilized. This includes coordination of resources such a trucks of food, water, generators, water pumps, and other equipment.
• Five Urban Search and Rescue Teams (USAR) have been activated and will be ready to deploy to the affected areas.
• FDEM has started to set up a Logistical Staging Areas for Polk County. It is also identifying additional staging areas and points where food and water can be distributed to ensure that it is readily available if requested by counties.
• 360 trailers loaded with more than 2 million meals and over 1 million gallons water by FDEM in preparation for distribution to impacted regions.
• FDEM communicates constantly with all 67 county emergency management office and state agencies in order to coordinate protective actions and resources ahead of possible storm impacts.
• FDEM coordinates with utilities to ensure crews can respond to emergencies and restore power. Utility providers have more that 25,000 linemen prepared and staged for power restoration efforts.

Florida National Guard

• Following Governor DeSantis’ authorization, a total of 5,000 Florida Guardsmen are being activated to State Active Duty and pre-positioned at armories across the state for Tropical Storm Ian response operations. To assist, two thousand Guardsmen from North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee are also being activated.
• The Florida National Guard supports current missions, including staffing and supporting State Logistics Response Center (SLRC), Orlando.
• The Florida Guard is also mobilized and is available with five Route Clearance Teams as well as Aviation assets.
• The Florida National Guard has a well-equipped fleet that includes high-wheeled vehicles and helicopters, boats, generators, and other assets.

Florida Department of Health

• DOH continues to coordinate with county emergency managers and county health departments across 67 counties on any preparation resources.
• The Department has teamed up with the Office of Insurance Regulation in order to send out an alert about prescription refills that are allowed during a State of Emergency. This alert was sent to health insurers, managed care organizations, health entities, and licensed health care providers. You can find the alert here.
• The Department supports Special Needs Shelter operations in areas where there is likely to be landfall.
• In areas where there is likely to be landfall, nearly 300 ambulances, paratransit buses, and support vehicles will be deployed.
• The Department has partnered with Federal partners to support nearly 100 individuals' deployment through various health- and medical teams. These teams are available at Warner Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia, Orlando, and Atlanta.

Agency for Health Care Administration

• AHCA requires health providers to update their Health Facility Reporting System daily by 10 AM to ensure that each facility is taking appropriate precautions to ensure patient safety.
• 124 onsite visits have been completed by AHCA in Nursing Homes and ALFs that were previously found to not be in compliance with generator requirements. As of today, 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
• All Medicaid Managed Care Plans have been reminded by AHCA that they must allow for 30-day emergency prescription refills for maintenance medication.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities

• APD sent a message across the state reminding customers to sign up for the Special Needs Registry, if necessary.

Florida Department of Children and Families

• DCF requested a federal waiver in order to release SNAP benefits earlier than usual in preparation for Hurricane Ian.
• DCF has been working with contracted partners, including, Managing Entities, Community Based Care lead agencies, and child care providers to ensure Florida’s communities remain apprised of all storm updates and are making preparations for potential impacts.
• DCF is also making sure all Mental Health Treatment Facilities (MHTF) and methadone treatment programmes are ready for the storm.

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

• The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will close the following locations for in person and procedure appointments:
• C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center: Monday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 29. This includes the Emergency Department.
• North Pinellas and St. Petersburg VA Clinics: Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29.
• Sarasota, Bradenton, and Port Charlotte VA Clinics: Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Florida Department of Transportation

• To assist Florida families in evacuating quickly in the wake of Hurricane Ian, many facilities in the affected areas are being closed. The following will result in tolls being suspended at 12:00 PM today:

1. Polk Parkway, Polk County
2. Suncoast Parkway in Pasco and Hillsborough, Hillsborough, Hillsborough, or Citrus counties
3. Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County
4. I-4 Connector in Hillsborough County
5. Selmon Expressway, Hillsborough County
6. Pinellas Bayway in Pinellas County
7. Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Pinellas County
8. Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County
9. Spence Parkway, Okaloosa County
10. Mid-Bay Bridge, Okaloosa County
11. Alligator Alley, Collier and Broward Counties

• FDOT contractors are responsible for securing construction sites and clearing traffic control devices that are not being used actively. They also check drainage systems.
• To assist motorists on critical roads, additional Road Rangers were deployed.
• To prepare for the storm, the SunRail corridor has been secured. SunRail services will cease Tuesday at 8:30am, and will resume tentatively Friday morning.
• Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is available for drivers to stay informed about roadway conditions during emergencies. This service provides information about traffic conditions, road closures and suspensions as well as other specialized alerts. To use Florida’s 511, visit the website at FL511.com or download the app—on both Apple and Android devices.
• FDOT lifted standard weight restrictions on commercial vehicles transporting fuel, supplies, emergency equipment, supplies, agriculture commodities, and citrus on Saturday, September 24th. To transport goods, commercial vehicles will now have a heavier weight restriction.
• FDOT is monitoring traffic levels along critical corridors to ensure safe flow of traffic as the storm’s predicted path becomes clearer.
• FDOT has prepared resources to inspect bridges and roads after the storm.
• FDOT is securing resources to perform cut and toss operations to speed up roadway openings following a storm.
• FDOT activates district emergency and preevent contracts for post storm operations, including traffic signal and lighting repairs and generators.
• FDOT coordinates with the Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies. Georgia DOT partners are also involved in supporting evacuations.
• FDOT is coordinating with utility providers in order to coordinate post-storm debris operations for support of electrical power restore.
• FDOT and the U.S. Coast Guard are coordinating on movable bridge lockdowns.

Florida Department of Highway Safety

and Motor Vehicles, FLHSMV

• In case of Hurricane Ian, the Florida Highway Patrol will implement 12-hour Alpha and Bravo shifts.
• FLHSMV issued Emergency Order 092422.
  • Specific requirements for commercial motor vehicle providing emergency relief are waived
  • Waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.

Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC)

• On September 23, at Governor DeSantis’ direction, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) readied high-water vehicles and all other storm response resources so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of any damage or flooding.
• FWC officers from all 67 Florida counties were placed on heightened alert in anticipation of heavy rains or flooding caused by Hurricane Ian. All Florida counties have prepared high-water vehicles and shallow draft vessels for deployment to the affected areas. Contingency plans based on forecasted landfall locations have been developed and are flexible based on the storm’s projected path.
• Officers will respond with a variety of specialized equipment, including shallow draft boats, larger platform vessels, ATVs, airboats, and four-wheel drive vehicles. These assets do NOT include local FWC officers who may be affected in these areas.
• FWC Special Operations Group (SOG), teams of FWC Special Operations Groups, will be used as reconnaissance units by the State EOC and will report on any damage that has occurred after the storm has made its landfall.
• FWC Aviation Section has been put on standby and has prepared all aircraft for possible deployment for EOC aerial assistance and reconnaissance.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

• The DEO has activated a private sector hotline at (850-815-4925) from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
• Walmart and Publix are two of the state's partners.
• DEO is updating www.FloridaDisaster.biz with real-time information for business owners to prepare their businesses, families, and employees for Hurricane Ian

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

• Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order, DEP issued an Emergency Final Order waiving permitting requirements for the storage and processing of solid waste, including storm debris.
• DEP has also issued an Emergency Final Order to expedite necessary repair, replacement and restoration of structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works and other systems damaged by the storm.
• All shoreline counties were surveyed by inspectors prior to a storm.
• HARTs (Hazardous Area Response Teams) are in preparation for possible assessment and deployment to impacted regions.
• To ensure that all storm landfall preparations are made, we have contacted all Hazardous Waste facilities in the affected counties.
• Florida state park closures can be found at www.floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates.
• Customers with existing reservations for camping or cabins in impacted parks will be notified about their reservation status.
• WaterTracker is active, DEP’s online portal for wastewater and drinking water facilities to report their operational status.

Florida Department of Education (DOE).

The Florida Department of Education keeps their website updated with information about county school closings. For a complete list, visit fldoe.org/storminfo.

K12 School Closures

• Hernando County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Hillsborough County Schools will be closed Monday, September 26 through Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Lake County Schools will have early dismissal on Tuesday, September 27 and will be closed Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Pasco County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• Pinellas County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• Beginning Tuesday, September 27, Sarasota County Schools will close.

Florida College System Closures

• Hillsborough Community College will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• St. Petersburg College will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• State College of Florida will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Friday, September 30, 2022.

State University Closures

• New College of Florida classes will be canceled Monday, September 26 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• University of South Florida classes will be canceled Monday, September 26 through Thursday, September 29, 2022. Closed campuses will be in effect from Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

Florida Department of Management Services

• Tomorrow, Tuesday September 27, 2022, Hillsborough County's state buildings will be closed. Here is an updated list of state building closings.
• The Telecommunications Division is working with telecom partners to ensure that the state’s communications networks have redundancies and remain operations for first responders to respond to Floridians during the storm.

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