Hurricane watch

The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the Tampa Bay area Monday evening.

[sandbag locations](https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/24/tropical-storm-ianhurricane-ianflorida-hurricanetampa-bay-hurricanetampa-hurricanepinellas-hurricanesand-bags/) over the weekend. [Hillsborough County is ordering a mandatory evacuation zone](https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/26/live-updates-hurricane-ian-headed-toward-florida-tampa-bay/) for residents in Zone A and is recommending a voluntary evacuation for Zone B. [The Bay Pines VA Healthcare system also announced several closures](https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/25/tropical-storm-ian-florida-tampa-bay-hurricane-sunday-live-updates-cone/), from Port Charlotte to Pinellas County. [Pinellas officials issued a mandatory evacuation order](https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/26/pinellas-officials-urge-evacuation-ahead-ian-get-out-right-now/) for residents who live in Zone A, starting at 6 p.m. Spectrum Bay News 9 forecasters said Ian could slow down around the time it is parallel to the west coast of Florida. “I want to end on this, unless you’re behind me in this building, you’re not a hurricane expert. Heavy rain from Ian will ramp up across the Florida Keys and South Florida Tuesday, moving up to central and Northern Florida Wednesday and Thursday, potentially causing flash, urban and small stream flooding, the hurricane center said. A hurricane warning is issued when conditions are expected within the given area within 24 to 36 hours. The large range of predicted surge is because forecasters are still uncertain where Ian’s center will be when the storm passes by Tampa Bay. The hurricane center said west central Florida could have significant flooding, and a Hurricane Ian was about 105 miles east-southeast of the western tip of Cuba, according to the 11 p.m. update from the hurricane center.