While forecasts put Tropical Storm Isaac currently moving into the Gulf west of the Tampa Bay Area, emergency officials are ready for the worst.
Experts at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center said even if Isaac became a Category 5 hurricane, there are enough storm shelters for everyone including visitors here for the Republican National Convention..
“That additional 50,000 people would not impact and we would be able to shelter them in public shelters if that were to become necessary,” said Holly Wade, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County EOC.
More than a million people live in Hillsborough County so the addition of an estimated 50,000 convention delegates, news media and protestors could be absorbed. The convention goers are already arriving with pre-convention parties planned Sunday and the official open is Monday.
