With a “catastrophic” storm surge, 105 mph winds, and floods, Hurricane Ian drops to Category 2.
More than two hours after it touched down in Southwest Florida, Hurricane Ian fell to a Category 2 hurricane but still wreaking havoc with 105 mph winds.
around 4:00 p.m. According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian made landfall on the Florida island of Cayo Costa at local time as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph. Then, at 4:35 p.m., it struck the mainland. ET with 145 mph winds.
10 p.m.: the storm Florida’s Punta Gorda was 40 miles to the northeast of ET, while Orlando was 85 miles to the southwest. At 11 p.m., there will be a new update. ET.
The storm’s eye was preceded by “catastrophic” winds and storm surge, and it is generating hurricane-force winds up to 50 miles from its core. Ian is posing a threat to almost the whole state of Florida with the potential for tornadoes and up to 30 inches of heavy rain, which may cause flash floods and river flooding.
A significant portion of Florida’s southwest coast, from Chokoloskee to the Anclote River, as well as a portion of its eastern coast, from Sebastian Inlet to the border between Flagler and Volusia counties, are under a hurricane warning from the NHC.
The majority of Florida’s southwest coast, from the Suwannee River to Flamingo, as well as northeast Florida, from the Flager-Volusia County line up to the mouth of the South Santee River in South Carolina, as well as inland along the St. Johns River, are under a storm surge warning, which denotes a life-threatening threat.
On Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the center of Ian is expected to pass across central Florida. Once it approaches Florida’s eastern shore, it may strengthen again after likely weakening as it advances inland. Ian is then anticipated to depart on Friday for North Carolina and Georgia.
13 counties in Florida are under a mandatory evacuation order, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Tuesday, Ian already pummeled western Cuba before intensifying quickly as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico. Its winds had blasted up to almost Category 5 speeds before crossing Florida.
Hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming deadlier, more destructive, slower, wetter, and more powerful due to climate change.
As cyclones feed on warm air and water, increasing global temperatures aid in their fast intensity development, as shown in Hurricane Ian. Storms produce more rain than they would normally because warm air retains more moisture.