Ahead of Hurricane Ian, Manatee County public safety officials have announced plans for evacuations, beginning with a mandatory Zone A evacuation and voluntary Zone B evacuation, effective at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27.

"We’re expecting sustained tropical or hurricane winds to our barrier islands and coastal communities for as long as 48 hours, with the earliest arrival predicted for 8 p.m. Tuesday,” Manatee County administrator Scott Hopes said in a press release. “This is a worst-case scenario with a very strong, slow-moving storm just to the west of us.”

Forecasts show that the storm will most likely attain Category 4 status just south of Sarasota-Manatee area. It will also slow down as it approaches, so the period of heavy impact will be extended.

Manatee County’s Emergency Operations Center will also move to a Level One activation at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.