Tampa was forecast to receive the worst from Ian until the storm turned east into Southwest Florida. Mayor Jane Castor says an immediate concern is assisting counties to the south.

In an on overview published ahead of its full report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that 2021 ranked the third costliest on record for such events.

There were 21 tropical storms, seven hurricanes and four major hurricanes this year in the Atlantic basin. Florida was largely spared the worst.

Floridians know that for six months of the year they have to be on guard for hurricanes. There are official updates from federal agencies, tax holidays to purchase supplies for protection and a blitz of media activity.

It's a reminder that we still have a month to go until the end of hurricane season.

On Oct. 25, 1921, one of the most destructive hurricanes that the Tampa Bay area experienced hit the region. The National Weather Service took a look back at the Category 3 storm.

The climate pattern known as La Niña generally brings winters that are drier and warmer than usual across the southern U.S. and cooler and wetter in the northern part of the country.

Most of the rain is forecast over the Florida Panhandle while rain chances are likely to stay elevated over the state late this week into next weekend.

They will produced a heightened rip current risk from Florida to the Carolinas through the weekend.

Swells from Hurricane Sam will gradually reach the Atlantic coastline from the Carolinas to Florida on Thursday and Friday, then peak on Saturday.

Sam quickly strengthened could become a Category 3 storm by Saturday afternoon.

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Sam will intensify steadily in the coming days, and is projected to become a major-category hurricane by Monday.