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Staff ReportsSeptember 8, 2017

Republican candidate for governor and state Sen. Jack Latvala says state officials may have “overdone it” in preparing for Hurricane Irma. Latvala, in a Thursday interview with the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau, questioned the mass evacuations of coastal areas, including in his home county of Pinellas. “I’m not sure that we haven’t overdone it a little bit,” […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 8, 2017

All public K-12 schools, state colleges and state universities have been shut down from today through Monday to ensure room for “sheltering and staging” for Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott‘s office announced Thursday night. All state offices also are closed today. In a statement, Scott explained he was ordering “the closure … to ensure we have every […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 7, 2017

Florida Power & Light announced Thursday that it is putting workers in place around the state to quickly respond to possible power outages in the wake of Hurricane Irma. “We continue to pre-position an army of line and vegetation workers across the state where they can make the biggest impact as soon as it is […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 7, 2017

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is “urging motorists to use the department’s real-time traffic information tools to ease their evacuation,” the department said in a Thursday news release. The following tools are available: — Florida 511: FDOT’s official source for traffic information is Florida 511. This website provides real-time traffic information on crashes, incidents, construction, congestion, road […]

Terry RoenSeptember 7, 2017

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Orlando hotels are filling up fast as thousands heed mandatory and voluntary evacuation notices to stay clear of Hurricane Irma. Many local hotels are sold out but creating waiting lists since the storm’s path is still uncertain. Kevin Craig, director of public policy for the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, said most of the area’s […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 7, 2017

Despite getting rave reviews for his handling of pre-landfall Hurricane Irma, some in the Capitol Press Corps remain unsatisfied with Gov. Rick Scott, accusing him of being less forthcoming than his predecessors during the worst weather threat in a generation. As South Florida awaits the arrival of a potentially deadly Category 5 storm — and the bedlam […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 7, 2017

As Irma looms in the Atlantic, Duval County residents remember very well Hurricane Matthew and the aftermath. Gov. Rick Scott was on the ground locally both before and after the storm, offering meaningful material assistance to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and other Duval County Mayors. Power outages, fuel and supply shortages, downed trees: all were impacts during […]

Associated PressSeptember 7, 2017

A daring Delta Air Lines crew that flew in and out of Puerto Rico as Hurricane Irma’s wind and rain approached is garnering kudos.

Bill RuftySeptember 7, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam returned to his home of Polk County on Thursday, checking on preparations for food, shelter and transportation from the county’s Emergency Operations Center. He also issued warnings to state residents to take action immediately: “Irma is a beast. There is no scenario in which Southeast Florida will escape it. And a slight […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 7, 2017

Today, Gov. Rick Scott made the following statement outlining the steps that are being taken to bring more fuel to Florida gas stations. Scott said: “We are aggressively working around the clock to bring more fuel to Florida gas stations. I have held calls with the federal government, fuel retailers and oil companies to find […]

Tag: Hurricane Irma

Jack Latvala critical of storm strategy

Rick Scott closes all public schools in Florida

FPL positioning ‘army’ of workers across Florida

FDOT highlights online traffic tools

Hurricane evacuees fill Orlando hotels

Hurricane raises temperatures within Florida Capitol Press Corps

Fuel distribution looms as major concern before Irma

Delta flight braves Irma for quick stop in Puerto Rico

Adam Putnam checks on Polk storm prep

Gov. Rick Scott: We’re working aggressively to get more fuel to gas stations