Florida bracing for Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian is gathering strength and bearing down on Florida as the state races to finalize storm preparations and evacuate its most at-risk people ahead of expected landfall on Wednesday.
The enormous, Category 3 storm was already bringing impacts to Key West on Tuesday after it lashed Cuba with heavy rain and winds overnight and threatened storm surge, flash flooding and landslides.
Governor Ron DeSantis urged Floridians to heed warnings to evacuate to higher ground due to potential for “‘catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge”. As of Tuesday, 2.5 million people in Florida were under evacuation orders.
The most recent weather models have the hurricane projected to make landfall south of Tampa Bay where storm surge could reach up to 12 ft (3.7 metres). Up to 24 inches (61cm) of rain is expected in some areas and wind speeds of 130 miles per hour (209km/h).
Emergency officials were warning that the life-threatening conditions would limit the potential for rescues once the storm arrived.
“You will be on your own,” St Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch warned.
Footage shows people evacuating on Interstate 4
Traffic on Interstate 4 in Florida is bringing people eastward out of Tampa toward Orlando as people evacuate Hurricane Ian.
Footage shows cars travelling on the shoulder, which has been opened to provide more lane for movement.
The expected landfall and path of Hurricane Ian over the next few days
(NHC/NOAA)
Slow pace of the storm will bring big hazards
The slow track of the storm will bring extended periods of rain and wind to central Florida, National Hurricane Centre Acting Director Jamie Rhome said in a Tuesday afternoon update.
Extreme amounts of rain are expected over the next few days across a swath of Florida from Tampa up through Jacksonville.
“Be ready to be in place and stay there,” Mr Rhome said.
‘The time is now'
Kevin Guthrie, the director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, urged people in evacuation zones to leave now, as the hurricane comes in and people run out of time.
In addition, as weather conditions worsen, first responders will not be able to respond to calls, making evacuations all the more important, Mr Guthrie said.
Low, flat areas at high risk for flooding
The low, flat areas near Florida’s coast are at serious risk of flood as Hurricane Ian hits the state as a major hurricane.
Ocean levels are expected to rise up to 12 ft (3.7 metres) in some areas, as more than 15 inches (38 centimetres) of rain hits much of the central part of the state.
Indian Shores, Florida runs along a barrier island in the Tampa Bay area
(AFP via Getty Images)
Island Estate in Clearwater, Florida has a low-elevation group of islands with homes on them, which are at serious risk of flooding from Hurricane Ian
(AFP via Getty Images)
Dozens of school districts have closed
A total of 56 school districts in Florida have closed in anticipation of Hurricane Ian, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at a press conference on Tuesday
DeSantis gives update on Ian
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is giving an update on Hurricane Ian as the state buckles down for the storm
Parkland trial called off for remainder of week due to Hurricane Ian
The sentencing trial of Parkland gunman Nikolas Cruz has been called off for the remainder of the week as Hurricane Ian continues on its path towards Florida. Judge Elizabeth Scherer announced on Tuesday afternoon that the court would be on recess on Wednesday and Thursday because of the incoming storm. Jurors will return to the courthouse on Monday. On Tuesday morning, the trial had been expected to carry on as planned with Broward County Courthouse saying that it had no plans to close at that time. However, Ian continued to strengthen throughout the day, with the category 3 storm already bringing impacts to Key West on Tuesday.
‘Project Phoenix’ anticipated major hurricane impact on Tampa
A planning exercise called “Project Phoenix” from 2009 simulated what would happen if a Category 5 hurricane hit the Tampa Bay area, the Associated Press reports.
The exercise helped local officials and businesses prepare for the impact of a potential major storm on the region, which has historically avoided a direct impact from most major hurricanes in the past century.
Hurricane Ian is expected to briefly reach Category 4 status before hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, with significant flooding, storm surge and wind potential.
Lightning flashes across Gulf of Mexico in satellite footage of Hurricane Ian
Satellites have captured Hurricane Ian’s rapid churning and lightining strikes as it crosses over the Gulf of Mexico and strenghthens on its way to Florida.
Lightning flashes across Gulf of Mexico in satellite footage of Hurricane Ian