Hurricane Ian’s impact on football: Tampa Bay Buccaneers move practice to Miami; USF moves game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scheduled to host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday after Hurricane Ian should be past Florida's Gulf Coast. The Florida Gators rescheduled its game against Eastern Washington for Sunday. USF will play East Carolina in Boca Raton.
Hurricane Ian: Over 300,000 people expected to have to evacuate Tampa area
'We expect to have to evacuate over 300,000 people and that's why we are starting today,' the Hillsborough County Sheriff said. FOX Weather's Nicole Valdes reports from Tampa with the latest.
Visit the FOX Weather Wire for live updates on Hurricane Ian as it barrels toward Florida. Click here for the latest forecast, evacuation orders and more.
Hurricane Ian's expected impacts this week could upend some Florida college and NFL games, but so far, most university and NFL games will continue as planned. Ian is forecast to pass west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday before approaching the Gulf Coast of Florida from Wednesday to Thursday.
Floridians from the Gulf Coast to Tampa Bay and into the Florida Panhandle are being told to prepare for Ian's arrival. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for more than 300,000 people in the Tampa Bay area, home to NFL, MLB and NHL teams.
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced the preseason games planned for Wednesday and Thursday are postponed due to Ian. The Lightning were scheduled to play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday and Nashville Predators on Thursday. Details on the rescheduled games will be announced at a later date.
The Tampa Bay Times reports the Rays have pushed back the start of sales for home Wild Card and Division Series playoff games until Oct. 5.
Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers huddles with his team against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter in the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scheduled to host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. NFL officials have not announced plans to postpone or move the game yet. However, the team said Monday they are moving their practice to Miami because of the coming storm.
While Ian may be past the Tampa area by kick-off Sunday night, the storm is expected to bring heavy rain and impacts lasting for days if Ian makes landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast. Teams may be mopping up the field at Raymond James Stadium.
The University of South Florida campus in Tampa closed Tuesday ahead of Ian as the Tampa Bay area is under evacuation.
The USF Bulls were scheduled to host East Carolina this Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
According to USF Athletics, the game has been moved to Boca Raton. The Bulls and Pirates will play at FAU Stadium Saturday with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.
Florida State University, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida also have home games scheduled this weekend.
The Florida Gators were scheduled to play Eastern Washington on Saturday. The football team announced the game had been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 at noon.
FSU Director of Athletics Michael Alford said the Seminole's 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Wake Forest would remain scheduled.
The UCF Knights have not announced plans to reschedule their game Saturday against Southern Methodist University.
Classes at the Orlando-area university will be canceled beginning Wednesday and are expected to resume on Monday, Oct. 3.
For the latest Hurricane Ian track and expected impacts on Florida, click here.