Attention, Tallahassee, Jim Cantore is here

“Damn Jim Cantore was just spotted at 54 and 19 at a Wawa in Pasco County… go away Jim,” Fn Richard Cranium posted on X on Tuesday.

User Katarina posted: “Uh oh Jim Cantore is in town not far from me we're going to drown.”

And a user named Hyacinth simply posted a picture of Cantore with the message: “This is Jim Cantore. You never, ever, ever, ever want him where you live.”

According to Politico reporter Gary Fineout in an X-post Tuesday, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis of Panama City said he texted Cantore earlier in the week to ask if the storm was heading that way. Patronis said Cantore responded, “Pack your things, I'll see you soon,” Fineout said.

Who is Jim Cantore?

One of the most well-known meteorologists on television, Cantore, a Connecticut native, has been known as a harbinger of hurricane damage for nearly four decades. He is famous, or perhaps infamous, for his on-site appearances before and especially during major weather events, often putting himself in apparent harm's way to demonstrate just how dangerous a storm is.

The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore clashes with Ian's 150 mph winds

Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, Florida as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h), and storm chasers braced for impact.

Anastasiia Riddle, Story Rich

The Weather Channel even poked fun at his reputation years ago by running an ad showing beachgoers running away screaming when Cantore arrived on vacation. Cantore has worked for the Weather Channel since graduating from college in 1986.

“When I started at the Weather Channel, I was a gritty young guy who wanted to be there for the worst, but now there's purpose,” Cantore wrote in 2016. “People expect me to be out there. They expect me to get them through it and tell them when they can go home. It's a tremendous driving force when you live a purpose-driven life. It's really a powerful thing. So I feel like I'm that guy. People count on me.

“Maybe one day I won't think that way anymore, and then I'll stop,” he said.

Cantore is known for his seemingly risky reporting, but also has a reputation for explaining complicated weather situations in easy-to-understand language. He has also covered the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, PGA tournaments, NFL games, and even filled in for Al Roker on the Today Show.

While Cantore is heading to the hardest hit areas, he's choosing places where he can safely stand outside and broadcast. Seeing him where you live is unsettling, but not (necessarily) a bad sign.

Be prepared anyway.