Officials predict that Hurricane Ian will strike the west coast of Florida late Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
“The National Storm Center now predicts that Venice will experience landfall in 35 hours at 125 mph… making it a major, Category 3 landfalling hurricane,” stated Kevin Guthrie, head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, at a press conference on Tuesday morning.
Tampa and St. Petersburg appeared to be among the most likely cities to be directly struck by a big hurricane for the first time in a century. However, according to the most recent track forecast, Ian is now anticipated to strike the coast further south.
Some towns surrounding Tampa Bay were ordered to evacuate on Monday, while others were asked to leave voluntarily.
“It is essential to note that the Tampa Bay area is not out of the woods yet. Still, there will be a storm surge occurrence in the Tampa Bay area “Guthrie declared. “You must continue to adhere to the existing cautions for Pinellas, Tampa, Manatee, and Hillsborough. Do not return until further notice if you have evacuated.”
Tuesday evening, according to forecasters, tropical storm conditions could begin over the southwestern coast of Florida. They anticipate hurricane conditions along the west coast of the state on Wednesday morning.
National Hurricane Center: “Strengthening is anticipated later this morning once Ian emerges over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.” The hurricane Ian is expected to strike the west coast of Florida as a hazardous major storm.
According to experts, the hurricane was pummeling Cuba with severe gusts and a life-threatening storm surge on Tuesday morning. Some places could receive up to 16 inches of rain, while the storm surge along western Cuba could elevate water levels by as much as 14 feet.
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