TOLEDO, Ohio — If you've been following WTOL 11 coverage of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday or early Thursday, you may have noticed WTOL 11's Chief Meteorologist, Chris Vickers, has been deployed to Tampa to assist in coverage efforts. Here's why.
WTOL 11's sister station, 10 Tampa Bay (also referred to as WTSP), is situated in the Tampa Bay area, specifically in St. Petersburg. To assist them, Vickers traveled to 10 Tampa Bay on Sunday, where he continues to provide support to the station which has since begun round-the-clock coverage.
With evacuation orders in place, Vickers and 10 Tampa Bay have moved further inland to a secondary location from which they are still broadcasting live.
You can keep up-to-date on the blog below, which recounts his experiences in Tampa since arriving there late Sunday.
RELATED: BLOG | WTOL 11 Chief Meteorologist deployed to Tampa Bay area to assist in Hurricane Milton efforts
Below is WTOL 11's statement on Vickers' deployment:
In response to Hurricane Milton, we are supporting our sister station in Tampa. We were asked for volunteers from our team, and Chief Meteorologist Chris Vickers graciously stepped forward to assist with the coverage of this significant weather event.
We want to assure everyone that we are strictly adhering to all safety protocols as outlined by both our station and local emergency agencies. The safety of our staff and the community remains our top priority.
By having Chris on the ground in Tampa, we aim to provide the public there and back home in Toledo with comprehensive and accurate weather coverage. This not only enhances the quality of information available to the public but also helps to relieve local staff in Tampa who are balancing their professional responsibilities with the urgent need to protect their families and properties during this challenging time.
We are committed to supporting our colleagues and the communities we serve, and we believe that this collaborative effort will contribute to the safety and well-being of everyone affected by Hurricane Milton. Thank you for your concern over Chris being in Tampa and please keep him and the entire area affected by the hurricane in your thoughts.
If you wish to help, WTOL 11 is also partnering with the Red Cross for a benefit phone bank from 4-6 p.m. tonight. Call 419-725-1600 to speak with a Red Cross volunteer or text the word HELP to 419-248-1100.