1st mandatory evacuation orders issued
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
![PHOTO: Ryan Copenhaver, manager of Siesta T's, left, and employee Carter Cook, install hurricane panels over the store's windows Monday morning on Siesta Key in Sarasota, Fla., Sept. 26, 2022. Residents are preparing for weather related to Hurricane Ian.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/blog-hurricane-ian-florida-preparation-business-04-usa-llr-220926_1664214096178_hpEmbed.jpg)
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Some residents of Sarasota County and Manatee County are also under mandatory evacuation orders.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul