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Florida is in a state of emergency as Gulf coast residents brace for Tropical Storm Ida to make landfall. Emergency managers in Tallahassee are working around the clock to coordinate efforts with first responders. As Whitney Ray tells us, right now the threat is in the panhandle, but the entire state could experience high winds and tornadic activity later this week.

Florida is three weeks away from making it though the 2009 hurricane season without a major storm, but Sam and Mary Rogers know that streak could end Tuesday as Tropical Storm Ida threatens the Panhandle.

“I’ve said all along, “don’t say it until after Thanksgiving. Do say we’ve escaped,” but I hope we have,” said Mary Rogers as she removed the perishables from her refrigerator.

Sam spent Monday morning moving patio furniture up stairs, as winds from Ida force water closer to his beach house.

“If we have a two foot tide coming in here at high tide we’ll have water under our house,” said Sam Rogers.

Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency sending the Emergency Operations Center into full activation mode.

“A storm doesn’t have to be a hurricane to be life-threatening. I urge all Floridians as a result to be vigilant, to be careful and make sure that even in the aftermath of the storm to be cautious,” said Crist.

As Ida makes her way through the gulf many coastal communities are closing schools and opening emergency shelters. The Roger’s are lucky. This Franklin County get away is their second home. They’ll weather the storm inland, and hope their luck doesn’t run out.

Tropical Storm Ida could hang around for a few days before dissipating. Emergency worker are asking swimmers and boater to keep an eye out for rip currents that will accompanying this storm and to stay out the water. There is also a high risk of spinoff tornados over the next couple of days.