THOMASVILLE- As Hurricane Ian begins to take shape, evacuation orders have been issued in Tampa, as well as other parts of Florida. 

Ian is the fourth hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters warn that the storm will rapidly gain intensity during the next couple of days as it moves in the Gulf of Mexico. 

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Ian had sustained winds of up to 85 mph and was moving north- northwest at 13 mph with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 115 miles. 

However, Ian is still in the five-day window with its exact path still unknown. 

Deputy EMA Director, Lisa Griffis, said despite not knowing the exact path, her and her team have been making arrangements since the first sighting of Tropical Storm Ian. 

“We’ve been doing a lot on the front end,” she said. 

Griffis is now encouraging residents to begin doing the same. 

“Start topping off your gas tanks and stocking up on groceries,” she said. 

She suggested filling an extra bottle of propane for those who have gas grills and refilling prescriptions in case of pharmacy closures. 

“Get your stuff ready, if you don’t feel safe in your home then make arrangements to find somewhere you feel comfortable,” she said. 

Griffis said Thomasville could start seeing the impact of Ian as early as Wednesday night. 

Regardless of Ian’s exact track, the National Weather Service of Tallahassee indicated surrounding cities will face a risk of damaging winds, power outages, downed trees, storm surges and flash flooding. 

Both the NWS and Griffis have emphasized the importance of having a hurricane kit stocked and ready. 

Griffis said individuals can pick up pamphlets on hurricane kits at any Thomas County Fire Rescue station. Additionally, information on what to put in a kit can be found on ready.gov. 

Griffis said they are currently working with the school system and other local resources such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army to put plans in place. 

As of right now, Thomasville City Schools, Thomas County Schools and Brookwood School have not announced a closure. However, Thomasville High School has announced their plan to move the first region football game of the year to Wednesday night in Albany, Ga. 

Cairo High School has also announced they will playing their first region game at home on Wednesday night against Shaw. They have cancelled the homecoming parade, with field recognition and the pep rally moved to October 21, while the dance will be held on October 22. 

Updates will continue to be provided as they become available. Griffis and her crew hold a morning and afternoon briefing and said individuals can refer to the NWS-Tallahassee for further information on the latest path of Hurricane Ian.