While Floridians brace for Hurricane Ian, the National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave expected to become a depression later this week.
Floridians are bracing for what could be ‚catastrophic‘ damage from Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian became a Category 2 storm Monday afternoon and strengthened slightly Monday night to 105 mph winds. Ian is forecast to rapidly strengthen into a Category 4, according to the National Hurricane Center.
If the storm struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, it could cause „catastrophic“ damage, and power outages could last weeks or possibly months, according to the National Weather Service.
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“Even if you’re not necessarily right in the eye of the path of the storm, there’s going to be pretty broad impacts throughout the state,“ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned.
Exactly where Ian will make landfall remains uncertain, but most of Florida remains in the cone of uncertainty. Hurricane watches, tropical storm watches and storm surge watches have been issued for the Florida Keys and portions of the state’s West Coast.
DeSantis has declared a statewide state of emergency, urging residents to load up on food, water, medicine, batteries and fuel.
Hurricane Ian: Ian reaches hurricane strength, could become ‚catastrophic‘ Category 4 storm targeting Florida
Hurricane Ian: Hurricane watch issued for portions of Florida’s West Coast
Expect heavy rains, strong winds, flash flooding, storm surge and even isolated tornadoes.
