Steps Taken as Ida Closes in on Gulf Coast

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tropical Storm Ida has spent the day weakening, but remains a very powerful wind and rainmaker  still steaming toward a landfall in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

In anticipation, agencies throughout Florida and Georgia have swung into action.

Gov. Charlie Crist already has declared a State of Emergency in all 67 counties in Florida.

Attorney General Bill McCollum's office also activated the price gouging hotline -- 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) -- to prevent the unnecessary rise in prices for gas, food, wood, hotels, etc.

"In times of disaster, our citizens should be focused on protecting their  families and homes, not on trying to avoid being scammed," said McCollum.  "Price gougers should heed this warning -- we will not tolerate this illegal behavior in our state."

McCollum adds that this is a good time to make sure personal documents are well safeguarded against identity theft.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, has activated the Department of Financial Services Storm Line -- 1-800-22-STORM -- that home or business owners can call if their property sustains any storm damage from Ida.

The National Guard in St. Augustine has activated, and planned Veterans Day activities have been canceled.

While the city of Jacksonville's Veterans Day parade is still scheduled, the Week of Valor Make A Scene Downtown showing of "Night at the Museum 2," scheduled for Tuesday night, has been canceled.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has requested boat owners secure their boats to prevent them from obstructing waterways in the event of sustained winds and flooding, and to prevent property damage from unrestrained vessels.

If you see a free-floating vessel, call the FWC at 1-888-404-3922 to report it.

Along similar lines, the U.S. Coast Guard is urging boaters to use caution and to pay attention to local weather reports if they are considering a boat trip.

The Department of Children and Families is rushing November food stamps out to recipients earlier than normal to stay ahead of the storm.  That service is available only in the panhandle as far east as Jefferson County, near Tallahassee.

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