Mary O'Connor

"We're not out of the woods yet," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said, while Pinellas officials say the county could experience 110 mph winds, heavy rains and storm surge through Thursday morning.

Mary O'Connor held the news conference a day after two gun-related homicides occurred two hours apart.

O'Connor is the second woman to serve as Tampa's police chief. The first was Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who picked her for the job.

The Tampa City Council voted 4-2 to confirm O'Connor, whose appointment by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor met with some opposition.

Mary O'Connor served the Tampa Police Department for 22 years and was assistant chief when she retired in 2016. In 1996, she was arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer.