Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an update this morning on Hurricane Ian as the huge storm tracks toward his state, stating those on the Gulf Coast must heed evacuation recommendations and seek higher ground.
Hurricane Ian’s sustained winds intensified to around 125 mph early Tuesday morning as the storm strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane, making landfall in western Cuba.
DeSantis said while every county is under advisory, those living along the Gulf Coast from Naples to the Tampa Bay area should expect “catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge.”
He said that approximately 2.5 million people are under evacuation orders and it’s important for Floridians to know their area’s evacuation orders.
“Our recommendations are to heed those evacuation orders,” he said. “What those evacuation orders are doing is identifying people that live in areas that are vulnerable to major storm surge. And that storm surge can be life-threatening.”
He said Florida’s building codes are particularly strong, but five to 10 feet of storm surge is “not something you want to be a part of.”
DeSantis added that people do not need to travel to a new state, as there are shelters in higher-ground counties that will be safe from the storm surge.
Visit Florida has partnered with Expedia to launch an emergency accommodations page that people who are evacuated from their homes can use to find accommodations. People can visit expedia.com/florida. DeSantis reminded people to take care of their pets and bring animals into pet-friendly accommodations that are available.
“You can absolutely power outages, you can see inland flooding, you can see various types of tree and damage from wind,” he said. “So, just be prepared for that.”
HURRICANE IAN ‘NEAR WORST-CASE SCENARIO’ AS MASSIVE STORM COULD HIT CATEGORY 4
The National Hurricane Center expects Ian to continue to strengthen on its approach to Florida’s west coast, which is bracing for potentially “life-threatening” storm surges as seawater levels continue to rise with winds pushing water onshore.
In anticipation of heavy flooding and rain, 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen have been activated, along with 2,000 from other states. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has officers throughout the county, as well as high-water vehicles and shallow-draft boats ready for deployment if needed.
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“There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along much of the Florida west coast where a storm surge warning has been issued, with the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region,” the National Hurricane Center said.
The National Hurricane Center is set to release an advisory at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to DeSantis.
Ian is forecast to intensify to a Category 4 hurricane with top winds of 140 mph expected by Wednesday.
“Act now to do what you need to do to protect yourself and your family,” DeSantis said.
