Hurricane Ian

The National Weather Service's Joel Cline wants residents to know when danger is coming. But he adds, "If people think of a hurricane as a dot and a city as ...

You take the heat from the tropics and you move it toward the mid-latitudes. That's physics: You've got a lot of heat at the equator and you don't have a lot of heat at the poles. So you have higher winds over a larger area in the hurricane and maybe not as high in the center. The way the planet handles that is, it takes heat and transports it. It has to go off to the northeast at some point in time. In the tropics, it goes east to west. And little differences will matter to people on the ground, where they live. Over the weekend, Ian's predicted path shifted briefly to Tampa, then far north to the Tallahassee area in the Panhandle — and then it moved south again. On Monday, for instance, it stressed that "there is still significant uncertainty in the track of Ian, especially in the 3-5 day time frame." While a map tends to highlight the eye of the storm, Ian is spinning hurricane-force winds up to 35 miles out from its center, with tropical-storm-force winds four times as far. "There's a reason we have this cone of uncertainty," Joel Cline, the tropical program coordinator for the National Weather Service, told NPR. First off, there are very few "easy" hurricanes to forecast and they're all different.

Hurricane Warnings: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee; Tropical Storm Warnings: coastal Nassau, Duval, Clay, ...

- The SunRail corridor in Central Florida is being secured to prepare for the storm. - North Pinellas and St. - Each SHIP office has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster. - As of 11 a.m. - FDOT road and bridge contractors have suspended operations and secured equipment at active construction projects within the projected path of Hurricane Ian. High-water vehicles and shallow draft vessels in all Florida counties have been readied for immediate deployment to affected areas. - FWC officers in all 67 Florida counties have been placed on heightened alert status, in anticipation of heavy rains and flooding because of Hurricane Ian. - DOH has coordinated with Federal partners to support the deployment of nearly 100 individuals through various health and medical teams. - Tropical Storm Warnings: coastal Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. The Department continues to assess and support any additional necessary evacuations. - DOH has coordinated with the Office of Insurance Regulation to distribute an alert regarding permitted early prescription refills during a State of Emergency. Ian became a Category 3 hurricane early this morning and continues to rapidly intensify as it emerges over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico later this morning.

FEMA is working with federal, state, local, tribal and community partners to prepare for Hurricane Ian's landfall. Ian is predicted to bring ...

Prepare for the storm’s impact and follow instructions from local/community officials. [emergency supply kit](https://www.ready.gov/kit)for your household and [pets](https://www.ready.gov/pets). [evacuate](https://www.ready.gov/evacuation)or [shelter in place](https://www.ready.gov/shelter). [power outages](https://www.ready.gov/power-outages). Ian is predicted to bring life-threatening storm surge, with flooding and power outages. [local evacuation orders](https://www.floridadisaster.org/evacuation-orders).

Ian hit a Cuba that has been struggling with an economic crisis and has faced frequent power outages in recent months.

The masonry and zinc roof of the house had just been installed. A hospital in Pinar del Río was damaged. Authorities were still assessing the damage in its world-famous tobacco belt. It made landfall as a Category 3 storm on the island’s western end, devastating Pinar del Río province, where much of the tobacco used for Cuba’s iconic cigars is grown. Power was initially knocked out to about 1 million people in Cuba’s western provinces, but later the entire grid collapsed. Authorities were still assessing the damage, although no fatalities had been reported by Tuesday night.

Hurricane Ian is headed for the gulf coast of Florida after making landfall in Cuba. The hurricane is expected to bring storm surge and heavy rain to the ...

more frequently in recent years](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/09/29/record-us-hurricane-landfalls-climate/?itid=lb_the-atlantic-hurricane-season_9). And last summer alone, [nearly 1 in 3 Americans experienced a weather disaster](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/09/04/climate-disaster-hurricane-ida/?itid=lb_the-atlantic-hurricane-season_10). [seven safety tips to help you get ready for hurricanes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/05/03/hurricane-safety-prepare-noaa/?itid=lb_the-atlantic-hurricane-season_6). Read more about [how climate change is fueling severe weather events](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/10/22/climate-curious-disasters-climate-change/?itid=lb_the-atlantic-hurricane-season_11). [intensified this fall with conditions prime for storms](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/08/17/hurricane-season-tropical-atlantic/?itid=lb_the-atlantic-hurricane-season_1). For the seventh year in a row, hurricane officials expect [an above-average season of hurricane activity](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/05/24/noaa-atlantic-hurricane-outlook-2022/?itid=lb_the-atlantic-hurricane-season_5).

The warm water creates “a lot more rocket fuel for the storm.” And this effect is likely to become even more frequent due to climate change, scientists say.

While hurricane seasons fluctuate year-to-year, when looked at over 10-year intervals, there are roughly 25 percent more rapidly intensifying storms in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific now than 40 years ago, according to an analysis of National Hurricane Center data by The Associated Press. “It’s more likely because of climate change,” he said. “But it’s really hard to say that climate change has an impact on any one storm in terms of its formation or its individual intensity.” Yet while storms aren’t necessarily more frequent, they are getting nastier because of global warming, experts say. It exacerbates deadly storm surges through sea-level rise, worsens freshwater flooding and increases the proportion of monster Category 4 and 5 storms, like Fiona last week, several studies show. The build up of heat-trapping gases from burning fossil fuels is making storms slower and wetter.

The Category 3 storm was 95 miles from Naples, on Florida's Gulf Coast, early Wednesday. It knocked out power to all of Cuba after making landfall Tuesday.

Rain totals of 6 to 8 inches were forecast for much of the Florida Keys and South Florida. "It was apocalyptic," he said. A foot to 18 inches was expected for the central and northeastern parts of the state, the hurricane center said. The storm, which had sustained winds of 120 mph and a projected storm surge of up to 12 feet in some areas, was forecast to strengthen overnight, the National Hurricane Center said. Storm surge flooding was already occurring early Wednesday across the lower Florida Keys, the center said. The Category 3 hurricane was moving northeast Tuesday night at 10 mph over the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to pass west of the Florida Keys before it slams into a stretch of coastline between Naples and Tampa on Wednesday,

Hurricane Ian is bearing down on Florida, bringing life-threating storm surge, powerful winds and the possibility of flash floods.

If water begins to rise inside of the car, move to the roof. Check on your neighbors to see if they need help. If your kit includes canned food, be sure to also have a manual can opener. Remember that not everyone is able to make these preparations. It is difficult to tell how deep water is or what dangerous items might be hidden in the water. It’s important to stay updated, so you know what to expect and when to expect it. - Have you ever received a loud emergency alert on your phone or the radio? Utilities, roads and stores may be damaged after a storm hits, making it difficult to find food and water. - Several days’ supply of food and water for your family, pets and service animals. [Sign up for community alerts](https://www.ready.gov/alerts)in your area. One way to do this is to have several ways to receive alerts. Hurricane Ian is bearing down on Florida, bringing life-threating storm surge, powerful winds and the possibility of flash floods.

Hurricane Ian became a major Category 3 storm early Tuesday and will continue to strengthen as it approaches Florida, National Hurricane Center forecasters ...

[Tampa](https://www.facebook.com/FlyTPA/videos/826008391758811), [Orlando](https://twitter.com/MCO/status/1574802639220604930) and Pinellas County in Florida announced that they would close Tuesday and Wednesday. [Residents on Florida's Gulf Coast ](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/floridians-head-shelters-hurricane-ian-barrels-tampa-rcna49675)stocked up on food and prepared with sandbags and plywood for their windows. [Hurricane Ian ](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/hurricane-ian-live-updates-rcna49545)became a major Category 3 storm early Tuesday and will continue to strengthen as it approaches Florida, National Hurricane Center forecasters say. Charlotte Harbor may see 12 feet of storm surge, and in the Tampa Bay area, 7 feet is expected, according to forecasters. [Ian ](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/hurricane-ian-live-updates-rcna49545)made landfall at about 4:30 a.m. American Airlines [announced travel waivers](https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp) for people flying to or out of 20 airports in Florida and the Caribbean. "What we have here is really historic storm surge and flooding potential," he said at a news conference Tuesday morning. About 2.5 million residents are under some type of evacuation orders, he said. Ron DeSantis declared a statewide emergency, saying Ian could bring several feet of storm surge. Models show the storm landing somewhere between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. [Follow along for NBC News’ live coverage of Hurricane Ian](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/hurricane-ian-live-updates-rcna49545) [hurricane center](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/271500.shtml).

Two people were killed by the storm, which caused extensive damage and flooding in western Cuba.

The financial misery, along with ongoing political repression, sparked one of the largest protest movements in decades last year. The second was a 43-year-old woman who died in San Luis when one of the walls of her house collapsed. Before the sun set, residents braved wind and rain to search for food and basic supplies, lining up under overhangs to buy a piece of chicken or a bottle of oil.

As Ian moved closer to the state overnight, tropical storm-force winds were reaching the coasts of Southeast and Southwest Florida and major flooding was being ...

Warnings are also in place on the state’s east coast from the Flagler-Volusia county line to the mouth of the St. As of Tuesday, all adult day cares, senior community cafes, and transportation services in evacuation zones are closed, according to the department. Ian is expected to dump at least 2-3 months’ worth of rainfall by Friday. “We have over 600 resources to bear in addition to these out-of-town teams.” Mary’s River and along the St. While the hurricane’s path has shifted south, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said mandatory evacuations and preparations are continuing. Central Florida is expected to see “widespread catastrophic flash, urban, and river flooding” while the southern part of the state should brace for “considerable flash, urban, and river flooding,” the center said. As the storm approaches and winds pick up, officials may close bridges, complicating evacuations for those who don’t leave right away. Central and Northeast Florida is expected to get 12 to 18 inches of rain, while the Florida Keys and South Florida could get 6 to 8 inches. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for multiple coastal areas, including Tampa Bay. Gas stations may also temporarily run out of fuel, Gov. Ian was whipping sustained winds of 140 mph and is projected to approach the west coast of Florida Wednesday morning and move onshore later in the day, according to the latest update from the

Various counties across central Florida are opening up various shelters for the general population. Here are some of the resources being made available for ...

[Orlando is providing free transportation](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61200c4a2ec57063cb010a11/t/6333436706bc0a52169bbc4c/1664303975636/Orlando%27s+Emergency+Storm+and+Homeless+Shelters+2022.pdf) via buses to its five homeless and emergency shelters beginning Wednesday afternoon. [https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-management/evacuation-centers](https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-management/evacuation-centers). [https://www.osceola.org/agencies-departments/emergency-management/shelters.stml](https://www.osceola.org/agencies-departments/emergency-management/shelters.stml). [https://www.orangecountyfl.net/EmergencySafety/shelters.aspx#.YzQFguzMKha](https://www.orangecountyfl.net/EmergencySafety/shelters.aspx#.YzQFguzMKha). But for unhoused people who may not have that option, shelters across the state are offering their resources. [visit here](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61200c4a2ec57063cb010a11/t/6333436706bc0a52169bbc4c/1664303975636/Orlando%27s+Emergency+Storm+and+Homeless+Shelters+2022.pdf). [Osceola County](https://www.osceola.org/agencies-departments/emergency-management/shelters.stml) has five general population shelters (two are pet friendly), as well as one special needs shelter. [Orange County is opening up five high schools ](https://www.orangecountyfl.net/EmergencySafety/shelters.aspx#.YzQFguzMKha)for the general population, including those who have been evacuated and those living in low-lying areas. Three of the shelters are pet friendly, according to the [Homeless Services Network of Central Florida](https://hsncfl.org/), a part of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness. [upgraded the hurricane](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/261755.shtml) to a Category 4 storm early Wednesday.

Ian is forecast to make landfall in southwest Florida as a major hurricane on Wednesday night, with winds up to 130 miles per hour and the biggest storm surge — ...

“The way it’s positioned, it’s difficult for a hurricane to take a track that’s going to blow wind into the bay continuously.” “It’s not going to be possible to rebuild in the same way,” she said. “People say, ‘Are you sure you want to go back?’” she said of living on such a vulnerable patch of land. The airport is close to Tampa Bay, so storm surge and flooding are a top concern, said John Tiliacos, the executive vice president of airport operations. Ian is forecast to make landfall in southwest Florida as a major hurricane on Wednesday night, with winds up to 130 miles per hour and the biggest storm surge — up to 12 feet — predicted roughly between Sarasota and Naples. Home to more than three million people, with about 700 miles of shoreline, the region is vulnerable even to minor storms because the Gulf of Mexico is shallow, said David S. [a report from Karen Clark and Co.](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2015/09/15/381499.htm), a catastrophe modeling firm based in Boston, called Tampa Bay the most vulnerable place in the United States for hurricane storm surge, pegging possible losses from such flooding at $175 billion. Officials said the power company was working to restore power, with the hope that some parts of the grid would be working by Wednesday morning. 25 with winds of about 120 miles per hour, a velocity that would have made it a Category 3 storm. The last one hit more than a century ago, in 1921, inundating much of Tampa and surrounding towns. No matter where the storm hits, millions of people will be affected. — With so many near-misses over the decades, it had become common to believe Florida’s Tampa Bay region was somehow protected from hurricanes.

State officials are urging residents in south Georgia and along the coast to review their emergency plans.

- "I would say we're anticipating what the storm is doing and just being open-minded to the track it's taking. - Kemp, Who also called up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops to assist, said yesterday he is confident about the state's preparations. [Camden](https://www.camden.k12.ga.us/quick_links/c_o_v_i_d-19_information)schools are closed beginning today. Details: A tropical storm warning has been issued for Glynn and Camden counties, home to the state's historic barrier islands. [according to Fox 5](https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hurricane-ian-tracking-path-georgia-florida-cuba-landfall). [hit](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/27/cuba-electrical-outage-hurricane-ian-damage/) Cuba with up to 125mph sustained winds on Tuesday and is projected to make landfall near Tampa this afternoon.

Hurricane Ian is forecast to make landfall Wednesday afternoon on the west coast of Florida as an 'extremely dangerous' storm. Live updates.

It will slam much of the state with [life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2022/09/27/hurricane-ian-impacts-could-felt-weeks-heres-why/10443192002/), the National Hurricane Center said. [WHAT IS STORM SURGE?: ] [Explaining a hurricane's deadliest and most destructive threat](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/05/18/storm-surge-definition-hurricane-threat/9797051002/) [FEMA readies search and rescue teams] [Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell says her biggest concern with Hurricane Ian is the expected storm surge and inland flooding from heavy rains as the storm crawls across Florida over the next two days.] [“It's bringing with it a lot of rain and it's going to move slowly, which means people that are in the path, they are going to experience the impacts for a long period of time,” Criswell told CNN on Wednesday morning. Glyn and Christine Williams of London were told to leave their hotel near the beach when evacuations were ordered. Another possible tornado also was reported in Broward County.] [WHAT IS THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SPEED SCALE?] [Breaking down the hurricane category scale](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/05/19/hurricane-wind-speed-saffir-simpson-scale/9807231002/) [Heavy rains, flooding to spread into Georgia, South Carolina] [Heavy rainfall will spread across the Florida peninsula through Thursday. Disney World theme parks and Sea World in Orlando all closed ahead of the storm. later this week and this weekend.] ["Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding is expected across portions of central Florida with considerable flooding in southern Florida, northern Florida, southeastern Georgia and coastal South Carolina," the service said in an advisory.] [Georgia Gov. A couple from England on vacation in Tampa found themselves faced with riding out the storm at a shelter. [Too late to flee for some] [DeSantis warned the highest risk was along the west coast counties of Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota. "If you are in any of those counties, it's no longer possible to safely evacuate," DeSantis said. [poweroutage.us](https://poweroutage.us/). "It is going to have major, major impacts in terms of wind, in terms of rain, in terms of flooding," Gov. [AccuWeather](https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/live-news/ian-strengthens-to-category-4-hurricane-as-it-nears-florida/1252749) forecasters predicted landfall just northwest of Fort Myers, between Don Pedro Island and Boca Grande, around 4 p.m.

Hurricane Ian Tracker: The massive storm intensified to a Category 4 storm as it drifts closer to southwest Florida. It is expected to make landfall ...

Inland, the winds will ramp up later Wednesday afternoon and into the night. The hardest-hit areas will be Venice and south of it. Hurricane-force winds extend 45 miles outside the center of Ian. Thirty-six hours ago, the models were saying this was coming straight through Tampa Bay and, again, it has shifted a little bit east and to the south, which does spare us some." The warning is also extended to Charlotte and Lee counties, along with Naples and Marco Island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend 170 miles out. Tropical-storm-force winds will be around for more of Wednesday. That's going to be a problem – 10-15 feet storm surge for those folks." [As of the 8 a.m. Areas around Blind Pass, Sanibel, Fort Myers, and Don Pedro Island are at especially high risk for significant flooding. It's a weakening process that usually takes about 24 hours, but it appeared to be completed sooner than that. It is expected to make landfall Wednesday.

Cuba's electrical grid collapsed late on Tuesday, local officials said, leaving the entire country in the dark shortly after Hurricane Ian plowed through ...

State-run media said farmers had secured 33,000 tonnes of tobacco in storage from prior harvests, but many farms buildings, made with thatched palm roofs, had been flattened by the storm. "Sometimes hurricanes pass through here, but not of this magnitude," said Abel Hernandez, a 49-year-old tobacco farmer. "I've never seen anything like this," said Ana Julia Gomez, a 56-year-old woman who lives alone in Pinar del Rio, as she surveyed the wreckage inside her home. "Ian has done away with what little we had left," said Omar Avila, a worker at butcher shop in Pinar del Rio. "There is no electricity service in any part of the country right now." "We almost lost the roof off our house," Suarez told Reuters, her voice trembling.

This is a major, major storm,” the governor said early Wednesday as he warned residents in the counties where Ian may make landfall that it was too late to ...

He said the economic impact of closing the airport would be “in the millions.” He added, “unfortunately Ian is not giving us a choice.” A storm surge warning was in effect for Tampa, signaling a danger of life-threatening inundation, and many residents along the edges of the bay were busy evacuating. Some of the city’s urban areas also sit in areas that were ravaged by the 1921 storm, according to the Weather Service. “The impact of the storm is going to be enormous,” he said, adding, “It’s going to be a tragic event in many ways.” A team of about 120 employees have volunteered to ride out the storm at the airport, he said. “This is a lot of nasty weather that we’re in store for over the next few days,” he said. “It was fast and kind of out of nowhere,” Estevez said, recalling that a couple of hours earlier, the wind gusts were strong but the rain seemed light. And the hope was to start generating enough power in the east and center to connect the three sections. “That is knocking on the door of a Category 5 storm,” he says. The storm is going to “really barrel across the state,” Gov. Hurricane Ian, now a powerful Category 4 storm, closed in on the western coast of Florida early Wednesday, with “extremely dangerous” rains and winds expected to intensify in coastal areas soon. Ron DeSantis of Florida said in a news briefing that Ian will not be “just a 48-hour ordeal,” noting that the period after a storm passes can often be the most risky.

Hurricane Ian, a strong Category 4 storm, is on a destructive path toward Florida and is expected to make landfall Wednesday. Follow CNN for the latest ...

Fuller said that the influx of new residents in the last couple of years is a concern. “We’re beginning to experience these tropical storm-force winds and it’s only going to get stronger going forward.” So, our hope is that our residents listened and took the lesson of Hurricane Charley from 2004.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This Afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center with Florida Division of ...

- Southwest Florida International Airport – All flight operations are cancelled at Southwest Florida International Airport for Wednesday, Sept. - North Pinellas and St. - Orlando Sanford International Airport- Passenger terminal closing at 5pm. - Each SHIP office has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster. - As of 4 p.m. - Ports that are currently closed: Port Tampa Bay, Port of St. - Sarasota Bradenton International Airport- Airport will close 8pm local Tuesday Sept. - Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) has been implemented on the I-4 corridor to move people east. - Patient Movement Mission (DOH 4052) is activated. - AHCA has activated reporting in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS) and is requesting all health care providers report their census, available beds, evacuation status and generator status information. - The Department has coordinated with Federal partners to support the deployment of nearly 100 individuals through various health and medical teams. - Five Florida Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams are activated, and will be prepared to deploy to impacted areas.

Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified off Florida's southwest coast Wednesday, gaining top winds of 155 mph. Forecasters said the Fort Myers area could be ...

One tornado damaged small planes and a hangar at the North Perry Airport, west of Hollywood along the Atlantic coast. He boarded the windows of his Tampa home with plywood, laid down sandbags, and with his wife, packed their car with bottled water, flashlights, battery packs for their cellphones and a camp stove before evacuating. And "it will really increase the amount of storm surge." Hotels along the coast either filled up or closed down, and with flights canceled, some tourists planned to join locals at emergency shelters. Ian went from 120 mph to 155 mph in three hours, the second round of rapid intensification in the storm's life cycle. "It's time to hunker down and prepare for the storm," DeSantis said. Damaging winds and rain lashed the state, and forecasters said the heavily populated Fort Myers area could be inundated by a storm surge of up to 18 feet. "With the higher intensity you're going to see more extensive wind damage. "You can't do anything about natural disasters," said Vinod Nair, who drove inland from the Tampa area Tuesday with his wife, son, dog and two kittens, seeking a hotel in Orlando, where only tropical-storm force winds were expected. Ron DeSantis said early Wednesday, stressing that people in Ian's path along the coast should rush to the safest possible shelter and stay there. The area is popular with retirees and tourists drawn to pristine white sandy beaches and long barrier islands, which forecasters said could be completely inundated. Ian was centered about 60 miles west-southwest of Naples at 10 a.m., swirling toward the coast at 10 mph.

From Fort Myers to Sarasota and Tampa, here's the Hurricane Ian forecast for cities in Florida. More U.S. cities like Atlanta, Raleigh and Charleston will ...

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting 2 to 4 inches of rain and a 10 to 20 percent chance of tropical storm conditions. While winds below tropical storm force are currently forecast, the National Weather Service is warning that the forecast could change to feature sustained winds at tropical storm strength. A [flood watch](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ045&warncounty=FLC095&firewxzone=FLZ045&local_place1=Orlando%20FL&product1=Flood+Watch&lat=28.5047&lon=-81.3742) has also been posted for Orlando, which is expected to start seeing tropical storm conditions by Wednesday morning. The National Hurricane Center is warning residents to be prepared for wind speeds up to that of a Category 2 hurricane, as there remains considerable uncertainty in Ian’s eventual track, size and strength as it passes near Jacksonville. [storm surge warning](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ165&warncounty=FLC071&firewxzone=FLZ165&local_place1=2%20Miles%20N%20Saint%20James%20City%20FL&product1=Storm+Surge+Warning&lat=26.5343&lon=-82.0882) and a [hurricane warning](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ165&warncounty=FLC071&firewxzone=FLZ165&local_place1=2%20Miles%20N%20Saint%20James%20City%20FL&product1=Hurricane+Warning&lat=26.5343&lon=-82.0882), with a [flood watch](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ265&warncounty=FLC071&firewxzone=FLZ265&local_place1=Villas%20FL&product1=Flood+Watch&lat=26.5611&lon=-81.8639) also in effect until Thursday night. Regardless, Sarasota is expected to take a severe punch from the storm, with Regardless of how windy it gets, the city is already seeing impacts from Ian; a [flood watch](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ072&warncounty=FLC011&firewxzone=FLZ072&local_place1=Miami%20Gardens%20FL&product1=Flood+Watch&lat=25.9794&lon=-80.2028) and [tornado watch](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ072&warncounty=FLC011&firewxzone=FLZ072&local_place1=Miami%20Gardens%20FL&product1=Tornado+Watch&lat=25.9794&lon=-80.2028) are posted. Tornadoes will also be possible as the storm tracks closer to the city. Tropical storm conditions will begin Wednesday morning, with hurricane-force winds expected to begin Wednesday afternoon and not abating until Thursday afternoon. Freshwater flooding is also likely, with 4 to 8 inches of rainfall likely, with locally higher amounts possible. A modest storm surge of up to one foot is also possible. [tropical storm watch](https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ173&warncounty=FLC086&firewxzone=FLZ173&local_place1=Miami%20FL&product1=Tropical+Storm+Watch&lat=25.77&lon=-80.2) for the possibility of sustained winds climbing to tropical storm force.

Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified as it neared landfall along Florida's southwest coast Wednesday morning, gaining top winds of 155 mph.

“You know, you got to go with the flow,” Glyn Williams said. Glyn and Christine Williams of London were told to leave their hotel near the beach when evacuations were ordered. And “it will really increase the amount of storm surge.” One tornado damaged small planes and a hangar at the North Perry Airport, west of Hollywood along the Atlantic coast. “You can’t do anything about natural disasters,” said Vinod Nair, who drove inland from the Tampa area Tuesday with his wife, son, dog and two kittens seeking a hotel in the tourist district of Orlando. A couple from England on vacation in Tampa found themselves faced with riding out the storm at a shelter. Damaging winds and rain lashed the state, and the heavily populated Naples to Sarasota region was at “highest risk” of a devastating storm surge. The Fort Myers area is popular with retirees and tourists drawn to pristine white sandy beaches and long barrier islands, which forecasters said could be completely inundated. Ron DeSantis said early Wednesday, stressing that people in Ian’s path along the coast should rush to the safest possible shelter and stay there. “If you are in any of those counties it is no longer possible to safely evacuate. “Do what you need to do to stay safe. Ian was centered about 65 miles (105 kilometers) west-southwest of Naples at 7 a.m., swirling toward the coast at 10 mph (17 kph).

Crews were working through the night to restore power. “It's a process that is going to take a while,” the head of the Electrical Union told state ...

The economy has been hobbled in part by the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic and in part by new U.S. “Aid is already pouring in from all over the country.” sanctions imposed by the Trump administration and partially maintained by the Biden administration. “The damages are great, although they have not yet been accounted,” he tweeted. Failures appeared in the western, central and eastern links. A man in a different municipality died when a roof collapsed.

Cuban officials said they had begun to restore some power Wednesday after Hurricane Ian knocked out electricity to the entire island.

A hospital in Pinar del Río was damaged. It made landfall as a Category 3 storm on the island's western end, devastating Pinar del Río province, where much of the tobacco used for Cuba's iconic cigars is grown. While state broadcaster Canal Caribe reported two deaths in Pinar del Rio, most other media gave no figures on casualties, saying officials were still calculating the storm's impacts. It was the first time in memory — perhaps ever — that the whole island had lost power. The masonry and zinc roof of the house had just been installed. The U.S.

Computer models show the storm moving at a slower pace. As a result, tropical storm winds are expected to begin Wednesday night and early Thursday morning ...

[University of Florida campus is Gainesville will be closed](https://news.ufl.edu/2022/09/uf-campus-closure/) Wednesday, Sept. The warning includes the Tampa Bay area. advisory of the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a dangerous Category 4 storm, according to the Wednesday, 5 a.m. Computer models show the storm moving at a slower pace. Meanwhile, a hurricane warning has been extended southward from the Anclote River in Pasco County to Chokoloskee, which is south of Naples. As Wednesday progresses, rain chances will increase in North Central Florida. [UF campus operations closure](https://news.ufl.edu/2022/09/uf-campus-closure/) [UF classes canceled Wednesday - Friday](https://news.ufl.edu/2022/09/university-statement-regarding-operations/) [Commonly asked questions regarding UF campus closure](https://news.ufl.edu/2022/09/hurricane-faq/) [Here's how to prepare for hurricane season](https://news.ufl.edu/2022/09/how-to-prepare-for-hurricane-season/) [Pre-storm preparation for students in UF housing](https://housing.ufl.edu/resources/storm-preparation/) [UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation & Recovery](https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/) We will continue to monitor and update the UF community as Hurricane Ian makes its way over the Florida peninsula. Additionally, the National Hurricane Center expects life-threatening storm surge “along the Florida west coast and the Lower Florida Keys where a storm surge warning is in effect, with the highest risk from Naples to the Sarasota region.” 28 through Friday, Sept. It is expected to move onshore along the coast of Southwest and West Central Florida later this morning and to turn north on Thursday.