5,500 Florida National Guard Troops are now mobilized.

Over 18 million under tropical storm alerts.

Over a foot of rain is possible for Northern Florida.

Just some of the daunting numbers facing former Erie residents, now living on Florida's Gulf Coast.

John Dudley, a graduate of Cambridge Springs High School, lives south of Sarasota, Florida.

Craig Woodard, a former WICU weekend sports anchor, resides in Tampa.

Both Dudley and Woodard will ride out the severe weather at home.

They have experienced a number of Hurricanes in recent years and feel their best course of action is to stay on familiar ground.