LIVE: As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, Gov. DeSantis gives latest update on how state is preparing Hurricane Ian is bringing significant threats to areas of Tampa Bay and Florida's Gulf Coast that don't normally see such headlines, but they're worth acting upon: Life-threatening storm surge and catastrophic winds and flooding are expected, the National Hurricane Center said. The NHC expects Ian to strengthen somewhat more into Wednesday and approach the west coast of Florida as an "extremely dangerous major hurricane." A life-threatening storm surge of 8-12 feet is possible along the west coast of Florida, with the highest risk from Bonita Beach northward to Longboat Key. Tampa Bay itself could see a 4-6 foot storm surge. MORE: https://bit.ly/3RhCBHR 10 Tampa Bay is keeping you ahead of Hurricane Ian: Find your evacuation zone: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/hurricane/evacuation-zones-storm-surge-maps-tampa-bay-area/67-a551e6a7-52dc-4d3e-973b-826b19791189 Find sandbag locations: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/tropics/sandbags-by-county-available-tampa-bay-florida-tropical-storm-nine/67-1d66049f-bb39-445a-acc5-d6367d328626 Latest area school closures: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/tropics/tampa-bay-school-closures-hurricane-ian/67-c2f81246-b8d0-4382-9efc-13bf1a01d986