Hurricane Ian’s “extremely dangerous” eyewall is approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast. At least 2.5 million Floridians have been ordered to evacuate the beachfront property as forecasters say the hurricane may inflict catastrophic winds, storm surges, and massive floods across a large portion of the state.
Hurricane Ian- near category 5 strength is moving onshore in southwestern Florida, hours from an expected landfall. Residents are being told to evacuate their beachfront properties along Florida’s Gulf Coast and into Central Florida.
“There’s still uncertainty with where that exact landfall will be,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday morning. “But just understand, the impacts are going to be far, far broader than just where the eye of the storm happens to make landfall in some areas. There will be catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge.”
Given its unique coastline, Florida is highly vulnerable to storm-surge flooding during hurricanes. Much of west and central Florida are under hurricane warnings, including Naples and Orlando, Venice and fort Myers, and Tampa. Forecasters predict a storm surge of up to 18 feet that could likely swallow coastal homes. Rains could cause flooding, and crushing winds could flatten homes and cause power disruptions for a few days or weeks.
“It’s time to hunker down and prepare for this storm,” Gov. DeSantis added. “This is a powerful storm that should be treated like you would treat a tornado approaching your home.”
On Tuesday, Hurricane Ian knocked out power throughout Cuba, leaving at least two dead before heading to Florida’s vulnerable Gulf Coast. Ian is expected to emerge over the Atlantic Ocean by late Thursday, where it could strengthen again and affect another part of the United States.
Many schools, supermarkets, airports, and theme parks have been closed for the rest of the week so families could prepare for the storm surge and allow officials to use some of the facilities as shelters for people fleeing Hurricane Ian. The Navy moved its ships as the Coat Guard shut down ports.
Florida National Guard Activated
About 5,000 members of the Florida National Guard have been activated at various armories across the state ahead of Hurricane Ian. Another 2,000 National Guard members from North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee have been activated to assist.
“I know we’ve got a lot of people that have moved to the state of Florida,” DeSantis said on Sunday, warning residents that fuel disruptions and power outages were likely to occur due to Hurricane Ian. “Just make sure you make your preparations.”
The state has deployed about 300 ambulances, paratransit buses, and other support vehicles to areas where Hurricane Ian could have a major impact.
“That’s something that could happen with a hurricane of this magnitude,” DeSantis continued. “And also anticipate that in certain areas of the state, if you are in a very vulnerable area, there may even be evacuations that are issued.”