Hurricane Ian tracker live: Landfall made in Cayo Costa as Category 4 storm smashes Florida

Hurricane Ian tracker live: Landfall made in Cayo Costa as Category 4 storm smashes Florida


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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an early morning update Wednesday on the path of the hurricane.

Hurricane Ian strengthened into a Category 4 storm early Wednesday morning just hours before it made landfall in Florida. It weakened to a Category 3 hurricane at approximately 7:30 p.m and then to a Category 2 later that evening.

Florida residents are bracing for heavy rain and winds, with Ian packing winds up to 155 mph as of 6:35 a.m., according to Weather.com. A tornado watch is in effect for central and southern Florida until 5 p.m.

HURRICANE IAN ‘NEAR WORST-CASE SCENARIO’

Residents in Florida and Cuba have been bracing for possibly “life-threatening” conditions as sea levels continue to rise and winds reaching 125 mph push water to the shores.

The Cuban provinces of Isla de la Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa issued hurricane warnings, as did cities along the west coast of Florida from Englewood to the Anclote River. Several Florida cities also issued evacuation orders ahead of the storm on Monday, with flooding greater than 9 feet expected over the coming days.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) declared a statewide state of emergency on Saturday in preparation for the storm.

10:15 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Hurricane Ian downgraded to Category 2

Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to a Category 2 as the storm wreaks havoc across central Florida.

Wind speeds have slowed from 150 mph when the storm made landfall to 105 mph currently, according to WESH.

Despite being downgraded two levels since its original landfall on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service still warns Floridians that conditions will “deteriorate overnight.”

“Conditions will deteriorate tonight. TS to hurricane force winds are expected. The threat of significant to catastrophic flooding is expected to develop tonight-Thu for areas from N Osceola & N Brevard north including metro Orlando. Flooding can be especially dangerous at night,” the weather service tweeted.

8:02 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Hurricane Ian downgraded to Category 3

Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night, hours after making landfall near Fort Myers, Florida.

The highest wind gust measured at 132 mph near Port Charlotte, and maximum sustained winds are currently at 125 mph, according to a National Hurricane Center advisory.

When it made landfall Wednesday afternoon, the storm had a high wind gust of 150 mph, making it a Category 4 hurricane.

Although the strength of the storm has weakened slightly, Ian is still causing significant damage as a devastating storm.

7:00 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Lee County put under curfew after reports of looting

Lee County in Florida has been put under a 6 p.m. curfew in response to reports of looting, police say.

At least one break-in has been reported, local police said in a press conference.

First responders are struggling to reach people stranded by the hurricane, as conditions are still too dangerous.

No estimates of fatalities or damage has been given so far, but the human toll is expected to be severe.

6:54 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Virginia declares state of emergency

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) declared a state of emergency in preparation of the effects of Hurricane Ian.

Though currently far away from the hurricane, Virginia will experience intense hurricane-related weather in the coming days, according to the executive order.

“Virginia is leaning forward given the likelihood of severe rainfall, flooding, wind damage, tornadoes, and other storm-related impacts as Ian moves north into the Commonwealth and neighboring jurisdictions,” the order said.

6:47 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Experts believe storm surge in Florida has peaked: DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that meteorologists believe the storm surge in the Sunshine State has most likely peaked.

The storm surge is responsible for much of the damage in Florida. Inland flooding particularly has been a major cause of concern, the governor noted.

He also announced that many people did not heed authorities’ repeated pleas to evacuate, and those who remained behind may have to wait before emergency services reach them.

The governor also sent a major disaster declaration request to the Biden administration, asking the federal government to reimburse the recovery effort for the first 60 days fully. He stressed that the Biden administration has been fully cooperative and helpful.

5:43 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Over 1 million Floridians without power

Hurricane Ian has left over 1 million Floridians without power.

Millions more are expected to lose power before the Category 4 storm passes, as predicted by Gov. Ron DeSantis yesterday. The state has mobilized around 30,000 personnel for the purpose of restoring power as soon as possible.

Florida’s largest electricity provider, Florida Power & Light Co., gave a bleak prediction earlier on Wednesday, saying the hurricane will cause irreparable damage to much of the state’s power grid, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“With the storm surge and with these winds, there will be damage that is beyond repair and will require a complete rebuild,” Chief Executive Eric Silagy said.

4:49 PM
Sep 28, 2022
North Carolina governor declares state of emergency

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Ian’s expected landfall after it makes its way through Florida.

His announcement comes mere moments after South Carolina’s governor declared a state of emergency. The move will make it easier for the state to deal with the recovery efforts afterward.

“A state of emergency is needed now so that farmers and those preparing for the storm can more quickly get ready for the heavy rain that is likely to fall in much of our state,” he said. “North Carolinians should stay aware, keep a close eye on the forecast, and prepare their emergency supplies.”

4:25 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Hurricane shark hoax becomes a reality

A long-running hoax of a natural disaster sending a shark into populated areas has finally come true, a video appeared to show.

A video posted on Twitter by storm watcher Colin McCarthy appeared to show a shark sent into the streets of Fort Myers by Hurricane Ian’s powerful storm surge.

4:15 PM
Sep 28, 2022
South Carolina governor declares state of emergency

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the entire state ahead of Hurricane Ian.

As part of the declaration, South Carolina’s National Guard was deployed to prepare for recovery efforts. No evacuations have been ordered.

“We are as prepared as we can be for what is coming,” McMaster said in a press conference.

4:12 PM
Sep 28, 2022
Cruises canceled and rerouted due to Hurricane Ian

Several cruises have been canceled or rerouted due to Hurricane Ian.

Carnival Cruise Line’s ship Carnival Paradise is trapped in Tampa’s port, which has been closed due to the storm, according to CBS News. Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line all canceled, postponed, or rerouted cruises in order to avoid the carnage of the disaster.

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