TPA projects record numbers for holidays

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Tampa International Airport has reported an estimate of 80,000 daily passengers to travel through their facilities between now and Nov. 26.

“We’re getting that message out to our passengers to expect a very busy airport, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure that the experience is what people are used to, which is that very quick curb to gate experience,” said Adam Bouchard, vice president of operations.

For a smoother experience, TPA recommends arriving 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights.

“What we’re encouraging passengers to do (…) is to book your parking online, that way we know you’re coming, and it’ll guarantee you a spot in your preferred garage,” Bouchard said. “But we do anticipate the potential on those peak days of being at or near full capacity.”

You can find more travel tips and information at TampaAirport.com.

Water shortage announced amid driest season in years

A stage one water shortage was declared for Tampa Bay. The decision comes due to an 8.3-inch deficit in rainfall since October of last year.

This is particularly concerning because almost 50% of Tampa Bay’s fresh water supply comes from surface water sources, which are heavily reliant on rainfall.

According to Tampa Bay Water, this season is among the driest of the last 26 years. General manager for the organization, Charles Carden, explained the importance of rationing water at times like this.

“We have sufficient drinking water supplies to serve the region, but we need to take measures now to increase awareness about conserving water and lowering demands as we approach the spring dry season,” Carden said.

Residents can do their part in minimizing water usage by turning off the tap when brushing their teeth and maximizing laundry loads.

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