These are communities with lots of trees that can’t handle the high winds. Power could be out for weeks. In the Panhandle, you can still take action this morning to be ready for what’s coming tonight.

Have food and water ready in case you’re stuck at home. Know where you’ll shelter during the storm. A closet, hallway, or inside bathroom are usually the safest places. Take your mattress off the bed and be prepared for protection if the worst happens and your house starts to collapse.

Stay away from windows. Along the south and southwest coasts of Tallahassee, storm surge is not survivable. No one should be near any waterways that flow into the Bay, even if they’re far from the coast.

In the Tampa Bay area, including St. Pete and the barrier islands, storm surges are forecast to be up to 8 feet above normal in some areas of that region.

Everyone should follow emergency management instructions immediately to prepare for the storm surge, which is expected to peak later today. See the storm surge forecast map.