Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness for Hurricane Ian

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.

Hurricane Ian strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane tonight and continues to intensify ahead of its potential impact on Florida later in the week. Tropical-storm force winds could begin as soon as tonight in South Florida and the Florida Keys. Ian is expected to strengthen into a hurricane tonight, and will remain a major hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday. Storm surge has the potential to impact much of Florida’s west coast, with the highest risk from Ft. Myers to the Tampa Bay region.

Current Warnings and Watches in Effect

• A Hurricane Warning has been issued from Englewood to Tampa Bay, including the Anclote River.
• A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Anclote River to Suwannee River.
• From the Suwannee River to Indian Pass and from Jupiter Inlet up to Altamaha Sound, Tropical Storm Watches were issued.
• Tropical Storm Warnings are in force for the Lower Keys (from 7 Mile Bridge westward towards Key West, and from Englewood southward toward Flamingo).
• A Storm Surge Warning was issued from the Anclote River southward towards Flamingo, 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 eastern Clay and Putnam Counties, and the coastal areas Charlotte, Duval and Flagler, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
  • Anclote River to Longboat Key including Tampa Bay… 5-10 ft
  • Suwanee River to Anclote River… 5-8 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
  • Flagler/Volusia County Line to Altamaha Sound, including the St. Johns River… 2-4 ft
  • East Cape Sable to Card Sound Bridge, including Florida Bay…2-4 ft
  • Aucilla River to Suwannee River… 2-4 ft
  • Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas… 2-4 ft
  • Indian Pass to Aucilla River… 1-3 ft

State response and preparation efforts include:

Florida Division of Emergency Management

• The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL), which FDEM activated, provides Floridians with additional information about Hurricane Ian. This hotline is available to residents and visitors at 1-800-342-3557.
• FDEM has deployed several hundred shelter support personnel to help counties that have opened Special Needs Hurricane Shelters.
• FDEM is leading SERT (State Emergency Response Team) for Hurricane Ian response.
• The Division received more than 500 requests for resources in response to Hurricane Ian. They have fulfilled 466 of them. The Division is currently processing requests and they are either being processed or being mobilized. This includes coordination of resources such a: trucks of food, water, generators, and water pumps.
• Five Florida Urban Search and Rescue Teams (USAR) have been activated and will be ready to deploy to affected areas. Three federal USAR Teams are also available to help.
• More than 27,000 power restoration professionals are available to help affected areas after the storm.
• FDEM has already established a Polk County Logistical Staging Area and is looking for additional areas and points of distribution that could be used to ensure food and water are available for counties that request it.
• 360 trailers loaded with more than 2 million meals and more than 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, 2,000 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 Law Enforcement

• FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating evacuation missions in Cedar Key and security for ambulance response teams who are staging prior to Hurricane Ian.

Florida Department of Health

• DOH has prepared for Special Needs Shelter operations in areas of expected landfall. Additional information about special needs shelters has been provided in a press release.
• The State Surgeon General signed a letter allowing staff from the Department and Agency for Health Care Administration across state lines to travel past any curfews to carry out any necessary safety and health actions.
• DOH continues to coordinate with county emergency managers and county health departments across 67 counties on any preparation resources.
• DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation have coordinated to send an alert about permitted early prescription refills in 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.
• DOH 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.
• DOH 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 Administration (AHCA)

• The Emergency Patient Look-Up System has been activated by AHCA.  Special Needs Shelters in 16 counties can use the system to retrieve patient records. E-PLUS can also be used to aid emergency personnel and medical providers in locating missing or displaced people after a storm.
• 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 allow the early release of SNAP benefits as a 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 Elder Affairs

• DOEA’s CARES Assessors are preparing to staff special needs shelters.
• DOEA continues to coordinate preparation calls with the 11 Area Agencies on Aging, and other field staff.

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

• Veterans who are enrolled in VA Health Care and need urgent or routine care services in the path of the storm, can contact VA Health Connect, also known by the VISN 8 Clinical Call Center at 1-877-741-3400.
• 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, September 26 through Thursday, Sept. 29. This includes the Emergency Department.
  • North Pinellas and St. Petersburg VA Clinics: Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, September 29.
  • Sarasota, Bradenton, and Port Charlotte VA Clinics: Wednesday, September 28.

Florida Department of Education (DOE).

• The Florida Department of Education keeps their website updated with information about county school closings and closures of the State University System or Florida College System.

K12 School Closures

• Charlotte County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Citrus County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Collier County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• DeSoto County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Dixie County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Gilchrist County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Glades County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Hardee County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• 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 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Lee County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• Levy County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Manatee County Schools will be closed starting Tuesday, September 27, 2022; they do not have a reopening date at this time.
• Marion County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Monroe County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
• Okeechobee County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• Osceola County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, 2022.
• Pasco County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Pinellas County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Polk County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• Putnam County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 28 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Sarasota County Schools will be closed Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
• Sumter County Schools will have early dismissal on Tuesday, September 27 and will be closed Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29, 2022.

Florida College System Closures

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

State University Closures

• Florida A&M University will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• Florida Gulf Coast University will be closed Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
• Florida State University will be closed Tuesday, September 27 through Friday, September 30, 2022. (Tallahassee & Panama City)
• New College of Florida classes will be canceled Monday, September 26 through Friday, September 30, 2022.
• University of Central Florida will be closed Wednesday, September 28 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 Transportation

• To assist Florida families in evacuating quickly in preparation for Hurricane Ian, many facilities in the affected areas have been suspended. The following were the reasons why tolls were temporarily suspended at 12:00 PM today:
  • Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County
  • Spence Parkway, Okaloosa County
  • Mid-Bay Bridge, Okaloosa County
  • Polk Parkway, Polk County
  • Suncoast Parkway in Hillsborough and Pasco, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties
  • Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County
  • I-4 Connector in Hillsborough County
  • Selmon Expressway, Hillsborough County
  • Pinellas Bayway in Pinellas County
  • Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Pinellas County
  • Alligator Alley, Collier and Broward Counties
• FDOT road and bridge contractors have suspended operations on active construction projects within the project path – currently 33 counties.
• Contractors are instructed to secure all equipment to minimize damage. This includes lowering crane booms, securing containment system, securing work platforms, and moving the marine barges from bridges.
• To prepare for the storm, the SunRail corridor is being secured in Central Florida. SunRail services in Central Florida will be shut down at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, September 27,. You can check here for any updates.
• Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is available for drivers to stay informed about roadway conditions during emergencies.
• FDOT continues to work with transportation partners in order to meet their needs and plan closings.
  • Port Tampa Bay will suspend operations at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27,
  • Port Manatee plans to continue operations for as long as it's safe.
  • Tampa International Airport will suspend operations on Tuesday, September 27, at 5pm.
  • St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport will close at 1pm on Tuesday, September 27.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

• Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), has deployed troopers on major roads to assist in traffic control and evacuation efforts.
• FHP has placed 330 Quick Reactionary Force troopers in standby, ready and waiting to move quickly into affected areas to provide immediate relief.
• All 1,766 FHP members sworn are available to assist in enhanced evacuation efforts.
• FHP strategically placed its fixed-wing aircraft in order to monitor traffic and aid in search and rescue as well as damage assessment efforts.
• FHP has put its unmanned aerial vehicle teams on alert to aid in search and rescue efforts and damage assessment.
• FHP Regional Communications Centers will be taking over services for FHP dispatch centres that are not affected by the merger to ensure that all state law enforcement officers continue receiving dispatch services.
• FHP provides liaisons to county emergency operations centers.
• FHP encourages motorists to evacuate and report dangerous driving conditions or disabled vehicles to *FHP (347).
• You can find the FLHSMV driver's license and motor vehicle service centre closures here.
• FHP is ready to implement 12-hour Alpha, Bravo shifts as a response to Hurricane Ian.
• 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 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

• On September 23, at Governor DeSantis’ direction, 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.
• Private-sector partner, Uber, is offering round-trip rides to and from Southwest Florida shelter locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Pasco counties listed at www.FloridaDisaster.org. To redeem a $30 round-trip, riders can enter the promo code IANRELIEF into the app. Rides must be requested from or to any state-approved evacuation shelter in Florida.
• Following announcements of county closures, career centers in the following counties could experience temporary closures:
  • Hernando
  • Hillsborough
  • Lee
  • Manatee
  • Monroe
  • Sarasota

VISIT FLORIDA

• VISIT FLORIDA activated Expedia's Emergency Accommodations Module to provide real-time information about hotel availability and lodging options for impacted Floridians.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation

• Florida Housing has ensured that all current listings are up to date in the event that families need to quickly relocate at www.FloridaHousingSearch.org.
• Every SHIP office has an approved disaster strategy that provides assistance in the immediate aftermath a declared disaster. These strategies may include temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal, and short-term repairs to prevent further damage or allow occupancy until further repairs can be made.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

• DBPR coordinates with wholesale distributors prescription drugs and medical gas to provide exceptions for emergency distribution of critical supplies.

Office of Insurance Regulation

• OIR is working with its regulated entities (including property and casualty insurances) to gather information about Hurricane Ian preparedness efforts.
• OIR has updated its resource list to assist Florida policyholders in their hurricane response and preparedness efforts.

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.
• 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 Revenue

• Florida’s temporary licensing program, which allows exporters, petroleum carriers, and importers to request a temporary license during a disaster or declared state of emergency, has been activated. If an applicant applies for and is granted a temporary license, they don't need to pay a fee or submit bonding.​

Florida Department of Management Services

• 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.

• The following counties have declared that state buildings will be closed on Tuesday, September 26 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Hernando
  • Hillsborough
  • Lee
  • Manatee
  • Monroe, and
  • Sarasota

Here is an updated list of state building closings.

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