TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, during a news conference Sunday afternoon, urged residents along the project path of Tropical Storm Idalia on the state's west coast to "be prepared."
He spoke in Tallahassee on the state's response to Tropical Storm Idalia, which is forecast to make landfall near the Panhandle/Big Bend of Florida on Wednesday.
Tropical Weather
Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to become hurricane
DeSantis is back in Florida, returning from presidential campaigning in Iowa on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
He has canceled planned events in South Carolina. He also was to travel to Jacksonville on Sunday for a vigil after three people were shot dead.
"I'm here. I’m here," the governor said at the news conference.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
On Saturday, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 of the state's 67 counties from Fort Myers to the Panhandle.
Tropical Depression 10 strengthened into Tropical Storm Idalia on Sunday. It will move into the Gulf of Mexico over the next couple of days and is projected to intensify into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall.
The governor said he expects the major impact to be in northwestern Florida. While the center of the storm will stay away from South Florida, impacts will be felt even outside of the center.
The Florida National Guard is mobilizing 1,100 personnel, 2,400 high-wheel vehicles and 12 aircraft. Also, 300 Florida Highway Patrol troopers are ready to serve.
Starting Monday, linemen will be stationed in communities in the Tallahassee area.
Marion County and North Florida are going to get resources, DeSantis said.
But he said areas father south could feel the effects of the storm.
“If you’re in Tampa Bay or some of those areas, you could absolutely get impact,” DeSantis said. “Anyone on this Gulf, you should absolutely be very vigilant right now.”
He urged those who are power-dependent to go to a shelter because of the high likelihood of losing power.
State
Potential fuel contamination detected at Port of Tampa
With gas supplies possibly being in short supply, the situation in the Tampa area has been magnified by a contamination leak involving stations supplied by Cigo.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said any fuel purchased after 10 a.m. Saturday at stations supplied by Citgo from the Port of Tampa has a strong likelihood of being contaminated with diesel fuel.
"Basically it was just human error they just they they put diesel in tanks that were supposed to be regular gas," DeSantis said. "Hopefully we don't have that many people that are affected by this Obviously if you have a tank of gas and it's it's 90% Regular and 10% Diesel the dilution is probably may not ruin your car but I mean if you put a whole tank of diesel and that's going to be a major major problem."
Later Sunday, the State Agriculture Departmentlisted 29 gas stations that received Citgo fuel.
If you suspect your car has fuel contamination, call the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-435-7352.
Florida emergency officials have urged residents to keep their vehicle gas tanks at least half-full in case they need to evacuate.
“This will ensure you can evacuate tens of miles inland to a safe location should the need arise,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said on social media.
On Saturday, Attorney General Ashley Moody activated the state's price gouging hotline.
State law prohibits an "unconscionable increase in the price of essential commodities" during a state of emergency.
People can call 866-9NO-SCAM, visit MyFloridaLegal.com, or downloading the "No Scam app".
