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All motorists in Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties should avoid the interstates. "This is not the time to be getting onto the interstate. This is the time to be seeking refuge with your family and friends," Gov. Jeb Bush said.
Bush and state emergency officials said anyone leaving their home this afternoon should seek refuge within their county to avoid worsening traffic snarls.
The governor said he called his brother, President Bush, seeking an immediate disaster declaration to hasten relief efforts.
"He asked about the severity of the storm and where I thought it might land," the governor said of his brother. "I did tell him this was a devastating storm."
Craig Fugate, state emergency operations director, issued a stern and blunt warning late this morning to anyone lingering in areas where mandatory evacuations have been issued: "There will be no further calls to evacuate. The time to move is now. You need to move to high ground right now. Do not delay, you are running out of time."
Fugate said he was extremely concerned that too many people are still in their homes in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
At the same time, officials praised the response in Pinell and Hillsborough, where many people heeded warnings and fled Thursday.
The interstate system will be gradually shut down this afternoon as the storm approaches.