Gov. Rick Scott announced Saturday that, he will no longer be participating in the Republican National Convention (RNC) activities in Tampa on Monday and won’t be delivering his speech that night, but instead will focus on storm related matters.
“We prepare for storms like this every day in Florida and all visitors and residents can be assured that they will be safe in the Sunshine State,” said Scott in a statement. “As Governor of this great state, I am responsible for all 19 million residents and visitors and it is my duty to make sure we can quickly respond to the regions affected.”
Meanwhile, organizers also announced that all RNC activities will be postponed on Monday to Tuesday, in light of Tropical Storm Isaac.
At 8:00 p.m., on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said that Tropical Storm Isaac was moving northwestward just off the coast of northeastern Cuba. Isaac was about 375 miles east-southeast of Key West Florida with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
A Hurricane warning is in effect for the Florida Keys and the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach southward to Ocean, the NHC said. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Florida East Coast from Golden Beach southward to Ocean Reef. The NHC also said, a Tropical Storm warning is in effect from the Florida East Coast from Sebastian Inlet southward to Ocean Reef, Lake Okeechobee and several islands in the Caribbean.
While Isaac is not expected to make landfall in Tampa, but instead move north through the Gulf of Mexico, state officials expect heavy winds, rains and storm surges to affect the area.
