Florida
Florida suspending tolls, including in Bay Area, as evacuation orders are issued ahead of Ian
Hurricane Ian types in Caribbean Sea
Meteorologist Dave Osterberg explains the potential impacts to the west coast of Florida primarily based on the present path. Ian reached hurricane standing Monday morning.
TAMPA, Fla. – Florida is suspending tolls in a number of areas alongside the Gulf coast till additional discover as native officers start issuing evacuation orders forward of Hurricane Ian.
The toll roads the place drivers won’t must pay embrace Polk Parkway, Pinellas Bayway, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Selmon Expressway, and the Interstate 4 connector.
Outdoors the Tampa Bay space, tolls shall be suspended on the Halfway Bridge and Spence Parkway in Okaloosa County, Garcon Level Bridge in Santa Rosa County, and Alligator Alley.
“For all you new Floridians, who haven’t been by means of this earlier than, don’t panic,” Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned throughout a Monday morning briefing. “Take heed to your native officers.”
RELATED County by county: Tropical Storm Ian emergency data
The governor mentioned as state officers monitor Ian’s method to Florida, further toll roads could also be suspended.
Florida residents had been preparing, lining up for hours in Tampa to gather luggage of sand and clearing retailer cabinets of bottled water. As many as 300,000 folks could also be evacuated from low-lying areas in Hillsborough County alone, county administrator Bonnie Smart mentioned at a information convention Monday on preparations.
A few of these evacuations had been starting Monday afternoon in probably the most susceptible areas, with faculties and different areas opening as shelters. “We should do all the things we will to guard our residents. Time is of the essence,” Smart mentioned.
DeSantis has declared a state of emergency all through Florida and urged residents to organize for the storm to lash giant swaths of the state with heavy rains, excessive winds and rising seas.