WASHINGTON, D.C. – We’re keeping an eye on hurricane Ian which has now made landfall in Florida. Officials are warning this will be a devastating storm but they are ready to respond to help. Our Washington, D.C. Bureau correspondent Rachel Knapp’s parents live in Hillsborough County, Florida. They share their experience dealing with this hurricane.
Ruth Knapp, Rachel Knapp’s mom, sent video of the strong rain and winds outside of their home. They live just miles away from Apollo Beach, which is in the Tampa- St. Pete area. Knapp’s neighbors put up these hurricane shutters to protect their windows from all this heavy rainy, wind and anything else that might hit their home. Like many people in her area, they made sure they are stocked with food, water, batteries and keeping things charged just in case the power goes out. Knapp gives credit to their local officials who have helped warn and prepare them for this storm.
“I think I was more nervous when they were saying that there could be a direct hit on Tampa Bay but once when they felt more confident that the hurricane was going to go ahead and turn inland further south, I think it felt a little more secure to go ahead and stay and just monitor you know the storm,” said Knapp. “I’ve had several friends in the area text me to see how I’m doing and I’ve done the same just you know, making sure other people are safe and just letting us all know that we’re here for each other.”
So far they still have power but Knapp knows people in Sarasota that don’t have power right now. As far as other parts of the storm in the Tampa area, locals took this video near Tampa Bay where the water receded. In other parts of the coast, they’re experiencing some flooding, heavy rains and wind.
FEMA officials said this hurricane is going to be devastating for Florida, but they said they are ready to respond after the hurricane hits.
