General Discussion

at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2022/IAN.shtml?

A quick look at the forecast advisories shows

Storm Surge watch issued 0300 UTC Monday (11 pm Sunday EDT)

"A STORM SURGE WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS FROM THE
CARD SOUND BRIDGE WESTWARD TO KEY WEST...INCLUDING THE DRY
TORTUGAS...AND FOR THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA FROM ENGLEWOOD
SOUTHWARD TO THE CARD SOUND BRIDGE...INCLUDING FLORIDA BAY."

That is the entire area from North of Tampa to around the southern tip of Florida

"A STORM SURGE WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF LIFE-
THREATENING INUNDATION...FROM RISING WATER MOVING INLAND FROM THE
COASTLINE...IN THE INDICATED LOCATIONS DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS."


Storm Surge warning was issued 2100 UTC Monday (5 pm Monday EDT)

"A STORM SURGE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ANCLOTE RIVER SOUTHWARD
TO FLAMINGO...INCLUDING TAMPA BAY."

Again this covers Lee County

"A STORM SURGE WARNING MEANS THERE IS A DANGER OF LIFE-THREATENING
INUNDATION...FROM RISING WATER MOVING INLAND FROM THE
COASTLINE...DURING THE NEXT 36 HOURS IN THE INDICATED LOCATIONS."

36 hours appears to be the standard warning time for this type warning. I wonder if the plan that it has been alleged was not followed was triggered by a watch or warning.

I need to go back and see when the watches and warnings were issued but just don't have the time now.

The cone shows the predicted path of the storm, not all the significant effects. Reading a WaPo article, the officials seem to be fixated on where the cone is shown, but that is not all that they should consider. I guess it was just tl;dr and they looked at the graphics.