(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden on Thursday visited FEMA headquarters in Washington as search and rescue efforts were underway in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
Upon his arrival, Biden turned to FEMA personnel in the room and thanked them for their work during the historic storm.
Early assessments offer a devastating picture of the damage wreaked by the hurricane. Severe flooding and storm surges left people trapped in their homes, knocked out power to millions and destroyed at least two bridges in southwest Florida.
“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” Biden said. “Numbers are still unclear, but we’re hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life.”
The president said he’ll go to Florida once weather conditions allow to survey damage. He also said he intends to go to Puerto Rico, which was ravaged by Hurricane Fiona earlier this month.
“We’re continuing to see deadly rainfall, catastrophic storm surges, roads and homes flooded,” Biden said. “We’re seeing millions of people without power and thousands hunker down in schools and community centers. They’re wondering what’s going to be left, what’s gonna be left when they get to go home.”
Before his visit to FEMA, Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state, making federal funding available to impacted individuals in nine counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota.
Biden said the declaration means the federal government will pay for “100% of the cost” to clear debris and to save lives. The government will also cover a majority of the cost to rebuild public buildings ruined by the storm.
The president spoke with GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis again on Thursday morning, telling DeSantis that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will travel to Florida on Friday to check in on response efforts.
DeSantis has thanked the administration for the resources provided so far, but said Thursday the state expects more disaster declarations as the storm continues to move across the state.
“I just spoke with the president this morning and he offered support. I told them that thanks for this but because the storm has moved inland and caused a lot of potential damage in the center part of our state, that we are going to be asking for those counties to be expanded and included there,” DeSantis said at a press conference at 9 a.m. Thursday.
The White House said Biden and DeSantis, often political opponents, are “committed to continued close coordination.”
Accompanying the president to FEMA on Thursday were Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and leaders from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, the U.S. Coast Guard and other officials.
Biden said search and rescue was critical, noting the Coast Guard’s deployed 16 rescue helicopters, six fixed-wing aircraft and 18 rescue boats and crews.
“These are dangerous missions, and I’m grateful for the brave women and men in federal, state and local governments working as one team, risking their lives to save others,” the president said.
Biden urged Floridians to continue to heed warnings from officials, and not to go outside unless they “absolutely have to.”
“My message to people of Florida, to the country is at times like this, America comes together,” Biden said. “We’re gonna pull together as one team, as one America.”
(WASHINGTON) — Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, appeared in person at the House Jan. 6 committee’s offices on Thursday morning for a closed-door interview.
Cameras caught Thomas walking to the conference room around 9:30 a.m.
The select committee investigating the U.S. Capitol attack has sought to question Thomas over her efforts to push state officials to reject the outcome of the 2020 election. Thomas was also communicating with members of the White House, including former chief of staff Mark Meadows, about efforts to overturn the election.
Thomas’s political activism has been under scrutiny given her close proximity to the U.S. Supreme Court. Records obtained by ABC News earlier this year showed Thomas emailed Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Arizona State Rep. Shawnna Bolick asking them to “fight back against fraud” in the days after the November 2020 election.
Sources had previously said that it was unlikely the Thomas interview would be played during the committee hearing originally scheduled for Wednesday, but since that is is expected to be rescheduled for a later date, it’s possible clips from this interview could be played.
The committee hasn’t formally announced a new date for the hearing, but the Chair Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told reporters that he “doubts” it would be scheduled for next week. He said members would meet to discuss a new date this week.
Thomas’ attorney, Mark Paoletta, had confirmed last week she would be sitting down with the committee.
“As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committee’s questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity,” Paoletta said in a statement on Sept. 21.
The committee sent a letter to her requesting an interview in June, after revelations about emails sources said she exchanged with right-wing lawyer John Eastman, who the committee’s described as a leader of the legal scheme to fraudulently overturn Donald Trump’s election loss.
Committee vice-char Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., told CNN at the time the committee was prepared to consider subpoenaing Thomas for an interview. Thomas voluntarily agreed to the sit-down, her attorney said later.
The Jan. 6 committee is expected to release a final report of its findings and recommendations later this year.
(NEW YORK) — Ian’s winds weakened to 65 mph on Thursday morning, downgrading the system to a tropical storm as it moved over central Florida. The storm made landfall on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 29, 12:03 PM EDT
Tampa International Airport to reopen 10 a.m. Friday
Tampa International Airport announced it will resume commercial operations on Friday at 10 a.m. after shutting down due to Hurricane Ian.
Although an inspection of the airfield and facilities determined the airport did not sustain any serious damage during the storm, reopening Friday will give the airport and its partners, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration and airlines, time to take necessary steps to resume business safely, the airport said in a statement.
This includes bringing back aircraft and staff that had been removed ahead of the storm.
The airport had suspended operations at 5 p.m. on Tuesday ahead of Ian’s landfall.
-ABC News’ Amanda Maile
Sep 29, 11:13 AM EDT
Hurricane warning issued for entire coast of South Carolina
The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the entire coast of South Carolina. A hurricane watch had been in place for the entire state earlier.
Now a tropical storm, Ian is expected to become a hurricane again Thursday night before making landfall near Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday morning or early afternoon.
Ian currently has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, just 4 mph from returning to hurricane strength.
Sep 29, 10:51 AM EDT
Hillsborough County, including Tampa, lifts evacuation order
After conducting initial safety assessments, Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise has removed the evacuation order in place.
After hosting more than 8,000 evacuees across 47 shelters, the county is preparing to conclude its sheltering operations or transition shelter availability for evacuees who continue to need assistance.
“Residents whose homes have been damaged are encouraged to find a safe place to stay. That place might be with family, friends, or at a nearby hotel,” the county said in a statement.
The county also urged residents heading home to drive with caution, not to drive through obstructions or standing water and to stay away from downed power lines.
-ABC News’ Alexandra Faul
Sep 29, 10:37 AM EDT
FEMA search and rescue teams out since 4 a.m., administrator says
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s search and rescue teams have been out in the field since 4 a.m. Thursday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told “Good Morning America.” It will prioritize saving lives and helping people impacted by the storm, who may be trapped.
Criswell said FEMA has been hearing reports of people calling 911 through the night and will use information it has gathered in those hours to prioritize rescues in harder-hit areas.
“This has been just a catastrophic storm and it’s left significant damage in its path,” Criswell said.
Criswell said FEMA will be able to conduct rescues by land, air and sea.
The most significant impacts have been happening in Lee County, where people are without power and water. Criswell also expects impacts across the western coast of Florida.
“Water is dangerous. Even though the storm has passed, the water that is there is still dangerous. There’s debris, there’s chemicals, there could be downed power lines. People need to be careful, they need to stay vigilant,” Criswell said.
Sep 29, 10:00 AM EDT
Central Florida seeing 500-year flood event, damage will take years to repair, DeSantis says
There is potentially major flooding in Orange and Seminole counties and St. Johns River, potentially up to Jacksonville in northeast Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.
“The amount of water that’s been rising and will likely continue to rise today, even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flood event. And I know Seminole County has done evacuations, I know they’ve opened shelters, but we’re gonna see a lot of images about the destruction that was done in southwest Florida and obviously we have massive assets there,” DeSantis said.
“This storm is having broad impacts across the state and some of the flooding you’re going to see in areas hundreds of miles from where this [storm] made landfall are going to set records. And that’s going to obviously be the things that will need to be responded to,” DeSantis added.
The damage caused by the storm will likely take years to repair, he said.
“You’re looking at a storm that’s changed the character of a significant part of our state. And this is going to require not just emergency response now, in the days or weeks ahead. I mean, this is going to require years of effort to be able to rebuild and to come back,” DeSantis said.
Sep 29, 9:48 AM EDT
Storm severely damages Sanibel Causeway, Pine Island bridge
The Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island to mainland Florida, and the Matlacha Pass Bridge, which connects Pine Island to the mainland in Cape Coral, are not passable and will require structural rebuilds due to the storm, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.
Officials have received reports of damages to other bridges. A team of 100 engineers is on site to do bridge inspections.
“I anticipate there will likely be other bridges that have suffered damage, but once bridges are inspected and determined to be safe, they will be reopened as soon as possible,” DeSantis said.
Sep 29, 9:37 AM EDT
Biden, DeSantis speak again after Ian’s destruction
President Joe Biden spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday morning to discuss support for the state in response to Hurricane Ian and the disaster declaration the president approved overnight, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a tweet.
“The President told the Governor he is sending his FEMA Administrator to Florida tomorrow to check in on response efforts and see where additional support is needed. The President and Governor committed to continued close coordination,” she wrote in a tweet.
Biden first spoke to the governor, a leading political opponent of Biden and possible 2024 Republican presidential candidate, on Tuesday after several days of questions about whether the two would connect.
Sep 29, 9:20 AM EDT
‘We’ve never seen a flood event like this,’ Florida governor says
Hurricane Ian caused extensive and “historic” impact and damage in across Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference Thursday.
“The impacts of this storm are historic and the damage that was done has been historic and this is just off initial assessments. There’s going to be a lot more assessing that goes on in the days ahead,” DeSantis said.
“But I think we’ve never seen a flood event like this. We’ve never seen storm surge of this magnitude and it hit an area where there’s a lot of people in a lot of those low-lying areas and it’s going to end up doing extensive damage to a lot of people’s homes,” he said.
As of 6 a.m., there are 2.02 million customers without power, according to DeSantis.
DeSantis said Charlotte and Lee counties are “basically off the grid at this point.” The areas will likely need a rebuilding of their infrastructure.
Sep 29, 8:45 AM EDT
Ian, now a tropical storm, heads for South Carolina, Georgia coast
Ian, now a tropical storm, is near Florida’s east coast and is moving back over water. Ian is expected to re-intensify and could be at near-hurricane strength when it approaches the coast of South Carolina on Friday.
A hurricane watch has been issued for South Carolina and the Georgia coast.
Ian is producing catastrophic flooding over east-central Florida and is expected to produce life-threatening flooding, storm surge and gusty winds across portions of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
There are already more than 14,000 customers without power in Georgia.
Sep 29, 8:24 AM EDT
Water service out in Punta Gorda, boil water notice in effect until further notice
Hurricane Ian caused serious damage to the city of Punta Gorda’s water system, leaving it empty, the city said in an alert sent out to residents.
Water services will be restored as repairs are made, but the city warned it may take days to complete the repairs, officials said.
The city is under a boil water notice.
Officials set up a water fill station for residents and additional water availability has been requested through the Emergency Operations Center, the city said.
Sep 29, 8:10 AM EDT
Power restored to 502,100 customers, some will experience prolonged outages
Power has been restored to 502,100 customers, as of 5 a.m. Thursday, Florida Power & Light Company said.
But, the power utility company warned that some customers may experience prolonged outages “because portions of the electric system in Southwest Florida will need to be rebuilt rather than repaired,” FPL said in a statement.
The company said is still working to restore power to 1.2 million customers.
FPL said its workforce has increased to more than 20,000 people, including mutual assistance from 30 states, as it works around the clock to restore power.
“Hurricane Ian has forever altered the lives of so many of our fellow Floridians and we recognize the road to recovery will be long and challenging,” Eric Silagy, chairman and CEO of FPL, said in a statement.
Sep 29, 7:58 AM EDT
Ian a deadly, ‘life-changing’ storm, Lee County sheriff says
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told ABC News’ Good Morning America that Hurricane Ian was very unpredictable, with officials tracking the storm every minute and they didn’t know where it would hit.
“This is a life-changing event for all of us. We tracked that storm up the coast of Florida, it was very unpredictable,” Marceno said.
He added, “We didn’t know where it would hit. I can tell you it came into Lee County strong and it was slow moving.”
Marceno said there were fatalities, but he didn’t yet know the exact number.
Marceno said they are already assessing the area, but the whole area is “crushed” and people are trapped. Marceno said they have thousands of 911 calls that they are currently answering.
“We still cannot access many of the people that are in need,” Marceno said. “It’s a real, real rough road ahead.”
Sep 29, 7:21 AM EDT
Biden Approves Florida Disaster Declaration
President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Florida residents in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” the White House said.
Sep 29, 6:42 AM EDT
Conditions in Kissimmee and neighboring counties in Florida worsened overnight
Flooding has hit several parts of the Orlando area, including Seminole, Osceola, Lake counties and other neighboring areas.
ABC News’ Orlando affiliate WFTV said that first responders in Kissimmee rescued at least one person from a couple of vehicles that had been partially submerged during a storm surge overnight.
It is unclear how severe the damage is in the area but witnesses reported heavy and sustained wind and rain throughout the overnight hours.
Sep 29, 6:40 AM EDT
Flash flood emergency declared near Orlando
A flash flood emergency was declared in areas north of Orlando as the region was hit by about a foot of rain, the National Weather Service said.
The declaration covered Sanford, Lake Mary and Heathrow, the service said. Nearby Central Orange, Seminole and South Central Volusia were also under flash flood warnings.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” the service said. “Seek higher ground now! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
Parts of the region have seen more than 16 inches of rain within 24 hours, with more than 9 inches in the last six hours, making the storm a 1,000-year flood event in the Orlando area and to the north.
Sep 29, 5:50 AM EDT
Power outages spread to 2.5 million customers
More than 2.5 million customers were without power in Florida at about 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, the state’s providers said.
Sep 29, 5:09 AM EDT
Ian becomes tropical storm with 65 mph winds
Ian’s winds slowed to 65 mph early on Thursday morning, downgrading the system to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said.
“The Hurricane Warnings along the east and west coasts of the Florida peninsula have been changed to Tropical Storm Warnings,” the center said.
Sep 29, 5:20 AM EDT
Biden and DeSantis update schedules for Thursday
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding his next press conference on the latest developments of Hurricane Ian at 8:45 a.m. ET at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. to receive an update on Hurricane Ian at 12 p.m. ET.
While Hurricane Ian is expected to become a tropical storm on Thursday, the storm has battered southwest Florida and has left more than 2 million people without power so far.
Sep 29, 2:15 AM EDT
Ian now 75 mph Category 1 hurricane, expected to become tropical storm later this morning
As of the 2 a.m. ET advisory this morning, Ian continues to maintain its hurricane status.
However, it has weakened to a 75 mph Category 1 hurricane and is expected to become a tropical storm later this morning before emerging off of Florida’s east coast.
Ian’s new track will be issued and updated again at 5 a.m. ET.
Sep 29, 2:09 AM EDT
2.3 million customers without power, Florida providers say
Florida’s electric providers said more than 2.3 million customers were without power at about 2 a.m. local time.
Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest provider, reported more than 1.1 million outages for its 5.7 million customers.
“Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic winds will mean parts of our system will need to be rebuilt — not restored,” the company said on Twitter late Wednesday. “Be prepared for widespread, extended outages as we are assessing the damage. We are already at work restoring power where we can do so safely.”
Sep 29, 12:38 AM EDT
Portions of Fort Myers under up to 4 feet of water
Portions of Fort Myers are under up to 4 feet of water, the city said late Wednesday night, and residents are being told to stay inside as first responders try and assess the damage from Hurricane Ian.
“We need to ensure that the roads are clear so that our first responders and our assistance crews can go out there and help everyone that needs us,” the city wrote on Twitter. “PLEASE, please, please stay inside.”
Sep 29, 12:04 AM EDT
Jacksonville airport cancels all flights Thursday
Jacksonville International Airport has canceled all flights for Thursday and the terminal will be closed.
Sep 28, 11:29 PM EDT
Hurricane Ian now Category 1 storm
Ian continues to gradually weaken as it moves across the Florida Peninsula, now a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds down to 90 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and the center is currently about 70 miles south of Orlando.
While Ian is weakening, it’s still bringing widespread dangerous weather impacts across the state.
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for parts of Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Hardee and Highlands counties in west-central Florida, with other areas experiencing life-threatening flash flooding.
Between 12 to 19 inches of rain has already fallen in the area.
-ABC News’ Daniel Peck
Sep 28, 10:51 PM EDT
Lee County sheriff: Reports of buildings compromised and vehicles floating
As Hurricane Ian makes its way across Florida, counties are assessing the devastation left by the storm.
In a Wednesday night press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said that Ian hit the county extremely hard.
Marceno said he’d gotten reports of compromised homes and businesses and of vehicles floating into the ocean.
Officials said part of Fort Myers, which is in Lee County, was “decimated” by Hurricane Ian.
Marceno said residents are in need, and the county will respond to emergency calls once it’s safe.
-ABC News’ William Gretsky
Sep 28, 10:46 PM EDT
Ian continues to gradually weaken, winds at 100 mph
Hurricane Ian continues to gradually weaken as of 10 p.m. ET, with maximum sustained winds now down to 100 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and its center is currently about 80 miles south of Orlando.
The Florida Peninsula continues to experience dangerous weather impacts, including strong wind gusts, torrential rain and persistent storm surge in some areas.
Areas of relentless heavy rain will continue to bring the threat of dangerous flash flooding in some areas. This threat becomes even more dangerous during overnight hours.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 28, 10:33 PM EDT
At least 30 rescues in Naples Wednesday
There were at least 30 rescues in Naples, Florida, on Wednesday amid ongoing rescue operations, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.
“Our East Naples deputies did 30 rescue missions today. We are still collecting numbers from other areas. We are still rescuing people,” the office wrote on Facebook.
“Water is everywhere. It will recede. There will be damage,” it added. “Tomorrow we will have a better idea of the extent of damage. We will keep you updated.”
Sep 28, 10:26 PM EDT
More than 2 million customers without power in Florida
The number of customers without power in Florida has topped 2 million, as Hurricane Ian continues making its way across the state.
Most of the outages are in the southern Gulf side of the state, primarily in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The outages are moving east as the storm moves across the state.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 28, 9:28 PM EDT
Jacksonville mayor announces closure of 3 major beaches
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Wednesday evening that the city is closing Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches ahead of Hurricane Ian’s impact on the area.
“We will reopen as soon as it’s safe for citizens,” Curry tweeted.
Sep 28, 9:26 PM EDT
Over 1.9 million customers without power in Florida
The number of customers without power in Florida has topped 1.9 million, as Hurricane Ian continues making its way across the state.
Most of the outages are in the southern Gulf side of the state, primarily in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The outages are moving east as the storm moves across the state.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 28, 9:13 PM EDT
Ian downgraded to Category 2 hurricane
Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm as of a 9 p.m. ET update, with winds now at 105 mph.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 8:30 PM EDT
Extreme wind warning issued for central Florida counties
Hurricane Ian remains a Category 3 storm as of an 8 p.m. ET update, with winds dropping to 115 mph.
The National Weather Service issued a new Extreme Wind Warning for Highlands, Hardee, Charlotte, Polk and DeSoto Counties in central Florida until 9:30 p.m. ET.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 7:31 PM EDT
‘We hear your calls’: Sheriff
Lee County has received more than double the number of 911 calls it typically receives amid Hurricane Ian, according to Sheriff Carmine Marceno, as first responders have suspended their emergency response during the major storm.
“We hear your calls and are aware that Hurricane Ian was a powerful and devastating weather event,” Marceno said in a social media post Wednesday evening. “We want to get to you. We want to save you. As soon as safely possible, our assets are ready to deploy to come to your aide.”
Ben Abes, Lee County’s public safety director, said current conditions, including flooding, make it “impossible” for first responders to go out. He said the county is tracking 911 calls and prioritizing them once first responders are able to act after the hurricane passes.
“We are aware of a number of calls of people who are stranded due to high water,” he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening. “This is a scary situation. We urge you not to panic.”
Lee County, which is home to hard-hit Fort Myers, Sanibel and Bonita Beach, issued a countywide curfew Wednesday evening due to the storm that is in effect until further notice.
Sep 28, 7:15 PM EDT
Ian downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane
Hurricane Ian has weakened to a Category 3 storm hours after making landfall near Fort Myers as a major hurricane.
While the strength of the storm has diminished slightly, Ian is still wreaking havoc on the Sunshine State as a devastating storm.
The highest wind gust measured at 132 mph at Port Charlotte, and maximum sustained winds are currently at 125 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 7 p.m. advisory.
Water levels in Fort Myers have been reported at more than 7 feet, the advisory states.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 7:10 PM EDT
Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach ‘decimated’ by Ian, local officials say
Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach have been “decimated” by Ian after the major hurricane made landfall there.
About 75% of Lee County is without power, and several people are stranded due to high water, officials from Lee County Emergency Management announced during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
A curfew in Lee County was implemented beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Forecasts predict that it will not be safe to venture outside in the region until 5 a.m. on Thursday, officials said.
The number of injuries or fatalities is not yet clear, officials said, adding that the recovery efforts will take months.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Sep 28, 6:38 PM EDT
Wind gusts in eye wall measure at 104 mph
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration station in Venice Beach, Florida, has measured wind gusts of 104 mph within the northern eye wall of Hurricane Ian, according to the 6 p.m. storm advisory.
The storm is currently battering the Florida peninsula with catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds measured at 130 mph, and the storm system has begun churning even slower at 8 mph north-northeast — toward the east coast of the state.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
Sep 28, 6:33 PM EDT
‘Massive mobilization’ of utility trucks on the way to Florida, governor says
A caravan of utility trucks is making its way from several states toward the parts of Florida most battered by Hurricane Ian to restore power after the worst of the storm has passed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a massive, massive mobilization,” DeSantis said, adding that workers are coming from other southern states accustomed to hurricane cleanup, such as Texas and Louisiana.
More nearly 1.5 million customers in Florida were without power Wednesday as Ian made landfall near Fort Myers.
Ian continued to batter a large swath of Florida at 6:15 p.m. ET, with life-threatening storm surge all along the southwest coast — up to 12 feet in some places, DeSantis said.
Downtown Naples was reportedly completely flooded due to record storm surge, and while there were also reports of structural damage in Lee County, DeSantis said.
“This was a top five hurricane to ever hit the Florida peninsula,” the governor said.
DeSantis said that devastating inland flooding was inundating much of the regions experiencing hurricane conditions, as well.
DeSantis has declared a major disaster in the state.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Sep 28, 6:13 PM EDT
Fort Myers, Naples issue curfews
The city of Fort Myers in southwest Florida has issued a citywide curfew “to protect and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of residents, visitors and first responders.” The curfew started at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be in effect for the next 48 hours.
Down the coast, the city of Naples also issued a citywide curfew earlier Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately until further notice.
Naples reported record storm surge Wednesday morning, before Ian made landfall.
Sep 28, 4:54 PM EDT
Ian makes 2nd landfall on Florida mainland
Hurricane Ian made a second landfall just south of Punta Gorda with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph.
Ian made initial landfall on a barrier island near Cayo Costa just after 3 p.m.
Sep 28, 4:48 PM EDT
South Carolina, North Carolina issue states of emergency
The governors of South Carolina and North Carolina each issued states of emergency on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Ian’s arrival.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said no evacuations or school closures have been ordered yet.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said the decision would help first responders and farmers and protect customers from price gouging.
The storm is expected to cross Florida and enter the Atlantic before making landfall again along the South Carolina coast over the weekend.
Sep 28, 4:13 PM EDT
Over 1 million power outages
Over 1 million Florida customers were without power on Wednesday just after Ian made landfall.
The majority of outages were along the west coast in Sarasota, Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.
Sep 28, 3:12 PM EDT
Ian makes landfall as Category 4
Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s west coast Wednesday afternoon as a powerful Category 4 storm, slamming the coastline with powerful 150 mph winds and dangerous storm surge.
Landfall was at about 3:05 p.m. ET near Cayo Costa, an island off the coast of Fort Myers.
For southwest Florida, Ian “will probably be the big one that they always remember,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
The governor said Ian will likely stay in the state until Thursday, exiting from Daytona Beach.
Sep 28, 2:07 PM EDT
Biden to visit FEMA on Thursday
President Joe Biden will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to receive an update on Hurricane Ian, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“We have deployed significant federal resources to the region to help prepare for the hurricane,” Jean-Pierre said at Wednesday’s press briefing. “We have more than 1,300 federal response workers on the ground in Florida. … Three-hundred Army Corps personnel are on the ground to support power and fuel assessments. Three-hundred ambulances are supporting local officials, and multiple federal disaster medical assistance teams are deployed to Florida and Georgia.”
Sarasota County, Florida, officials announced emergency crews will no longer respond to calls due to Hurricane Ian.
In Charlotte County, just north of Fort Myers, emergency response calls for fire and EMS service will also be suspended.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office added, “911 will still be operational and calls will be triaged for response as soon as weather condition permit.”
Sep 28, 1:25 PM EDT
Naples issues curfew
The city of Naples, in southwest Florida, has issued a citywide curfew, effective immediately until further notice.
Naples has reported a wind gust of 112 mph as Hurricane Ian inches closer to shore.
Sep 28, 1:03 PM EDT
Extreme wind warning issued
An extreme wind warning has been issued near Fort Myers as Hurricane Ian nears.
Naples has reported a wind gust of 112 mph.
Fort Myers resident Debbie Levenson and her husband chose not to evacuate for Hurricane Ian and are staying put at home.
“Hurricanes are a concern, but I don’t freak out about it. You do what you have to do. You get your supplies, make sure you have flashlights, do your laundry ahead of time in case you lose power,” she told ABC News. “We bought bottled water and wine. We put gas in the car. The store shelves were not empty.”
“We are concerned with local flooding, but we drained the pool and are keeping an eye on the roads,” she continued. “Most of the neighborhood has stayed. Neighbors only left if they had small children or had a medical reason.”
Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, warned people sheltering in place to not venture out once the storm passes over.
“Don’t go out there. It’s so dangerous to be out there. So even if you see the water receding, it’s not the time to go out,” he said.
-ABC News’ Morgan Korn and Max Golembo
Sep 28, 12:03 PM EDT
Ian nears record-breaking winds
Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 with 155 mph winds, is nearing record-breaking wind levels.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Sep 28, 11:53 AM EDT
Naples sees record storm surge
Naples, Florida, reached a new record-high storm surge of 4.8 feet Wednesday morning — and the water continues to rise.
This beats the record of 4.25 feet reached during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, warned Wednesday, “This is going to be a storm we talk about for many years to come — historic event.”
Sep 28, 11:13 AM EDT
Ian’s eyewall moving on shore
Hurricane Ian’s eyewall is moving on shore.
The powerful Category 4 storm is set to bring catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding.
Sanibel Island has reported sustained winds of 58 mph with a wind gust reaching 75 mph.
Sep 28, 10:45 AM EDT
Over 2,000 flights canceled
The airports in Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
Over 2,000 flights have been canceled within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday.
Another 1,600 flights are already cancelled for Thursday.
The Tampa International Airport will remain closed through Thursday.
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway and Sam Sweeney
Sep 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Over 172,000 power outages
Over 172,000 Florida customers are without power on Wednesday morning as Ian nears.
Sep 28, 9:09 AM EDT
18 feet of storm surge possible
Up to 18 feet of dangerous storm surge is forecast along Florida’s Southwest coast, including Englewood, Bonita Beach and Charlotte Harbor.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday that her biggest concern with Ian was storm surge.
“In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge,” she noted.
Sep 28, 8:32 AM EDT
Gov.: Treat storm like tornado approaching your home
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Wednesday morning that Ian could potentially make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane.
“This is a powerful storm that should be treated like you would treat a tornado approaching your home,” he said. “This one has just strengthened and strengthened, and it is the real deal. So, it is going to do a lot of damage, so people should be prepared for that.”
More than 200 shelters are open in South Florida, he said.
Twenty-six states, including New York and New Jersey, have sent support to Florida, he said.
Sep 28, 7:41 AM EDT
Winds near Category 5 as storm approaches Florida
Hurricane Ian approached Category 5 status at about 6:30 a.m. ET, with its winds topping out at 155 mph.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Severe Category 5 hurricanes have winds above 157 mph.
“Rapidly intensifying Ian forecast to cause catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the National Hurricane Center said at 7 a.m. ET.
Sep 28, 7:23 AM EDT
16 feet of storm surge possible
A whopping 16 feet of storm surge is possible around Fort Myers.
Up to 11 feet of storm surge is forecast for Naples while a maximum of 10 feet is expected for the Sarasota area.
“Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday. “In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge.”
Sep 28, 7:15 AM EDT
Nearly 2,000 flights canceled
Florida’s airports are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
There are at least 1,903 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the United States for Wednesday.
Sep 28, 5:13 AM EDT
Ian strengthens to Category 4 hurricane
Hurricane Ian strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, as its winds climbed to 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is the first Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Rita in September 2005.
Sep 28, 3:06 AM EDT
Ian moves closer to Florida’s west coast
Hurricane Ian was moving closer to Florida’s west coast, the National Hurricane Center said in its 2 a.m. ET update on the storm’s position.
The eye of the Category 3 storm was about 95 miles southwest of Naples, Florida, and was moving north-northeast at about 10 mph, officials said.
“On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to approach the west coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area this morning, and move onshore later today,” the update said.
Officials said the storm was expected to pass over central Florida on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, before emerging over the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday.
The hurricane was “expected to cause life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the update said.
Sep 28, 2:28 AM EDT
Miami-Dade County suspends transit service
Officials in Miami-Dade County suspended transit services at 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday, as Hurricane Ian approached Florida.
Florida’s most populous county halted its Metrobus, Metrorail, Metromover and Special Transportation Services until further notice, officials said in a news release.
Sep 28, 12:24 AM EDT
DeSantis tells Floridians time to evacuate is ‘now’
Hurricane Ian is fast approaching Florida, and the time to leave is “now” if you’re in an evacuation zone, Gov. Ron DeSantis said late Tuesday during a press conference.
“Your time to evacuate is coming to an end. You need to evacuate now. You’re going to start feeling major impacts of this storm relatively soon,” the governor said. “Now is the time to do it, and now is the time to act.”
As of Tuesday night, about 8,000 people were without power in the southern part of Florida, officials said.
Conditions are expected to continue to deteriorate across central and south Florida, with landfall currently forecast sometime between Wednesday afternoon and early evening.
Elsewhere, a tropical storm warning is now in effect along the coast of Georgia and up to Charleston, S.C.
Sep 27, 10:31 PM EDT
Biden spoke with DeSantis, White House press secretary says
President Joe Biden spoke Tuesday night with Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival “to discuss the steps the federal government is taking to help Florida prepare,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted.
“The president and the governor committed to continued close coordination,” Jean-Pierre wrote.
Sep 27, 10:18 PM EDT
Cuba without power in wake of Hurricane Ian: Reports
Cuba has lost power after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the island Tuesday, according to reports.
There is “0 electricity generation” in the country, according to a National Electric System update.
“This complicated condition is also associated with complex weather conditions that have affected the SEN infrastructure,” the update said.
Sep 27, 8:33 PM EDT
Some Florida residents begin evacuating ahead of Ian’s landfall
Some Florida residents have begun evacuating their homes as Hurricane Ian approaches.
People are seeking shelter ahead of the storm, which is currently forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Ian remains a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as of Tuesday might.
It’s moving north-northeast at 10 mph and the center is located about 180 miles south-southwest of Punta Gorda, Florida.
There have been multiple tornado warnings in the area over the past few hours. A large tornado was reported on the ground in southern Broward County, near Davie, at around 7:30 p.m. ET.
Sep 27, 7:34 PM EDT
Satellite images show lightning-packed eye of Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian is barreling toward Florida, and satellite images show the eye of the storm packed with lightning as it strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm is currently forecast to make landfall on Florida’s western coast on Wednesday between 1 and 6 p.m., somewhere between Port Charlotte and Sarasota.
Sep 27, 6:31 PM EDT
DeSantis on Hurricane Ian: ‘This thing is the real deal, it is a major, major storm’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has urged Floridians to take Hurricane Ian seriously as the powerful storm heads to the state.
“You don’t get a mulligan when your personal safety is at risk,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday.
About 2.5 million people in the state are under evacuation orders.
“This thing is the real deal. It is a major, major storm,” DeSantis said.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 27, 5:43 PM EDT
5,000 Florida Guardsmen activated and prepping for Hurricane Ian
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen to armories across the state in preparation for Hurricane Ian, which is forecast to hit the state on Wednesday.
Roughly 2,000 National Guard members from neighboring states such as Tennessee are also being activated to assist, the Florida National Guard said in a statement Tuesday.
“The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more,” the statement said.
The U.S. Navy has authorized non-essential personnel in various Florida counties to evacuate.
-ABC News’ Matt Seyler
Sep 27, 5:12 PM EDT
Landfall forecast for Wednesday afternoon or evening
Hurricane Ian, barreling north toward Florida with 120 mph winds, is now located about 230 miles away from Sarasota.
Ian is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon or early evening.
Ian’s outer bands are already hitting South Florida, bringing a threat of heavy downpours, strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and even tornadoes. A tornado watch is in effect for South Florida until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 27, 4:51 PM EDT
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando to close
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will close Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm.
Sep 27, 3:56 PM EDT
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency.
Sep 27, 2:57 PM EDT
Ian, a Category 3, expected to strengthen more
Ian, now a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds, has strengthened on Tuesday and is forecast to strengthen even more into the night.
People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022, during the…Read More
The latest track shows Ian making landfall on Wednesday, striking the west coast of Florida between Tampa and Fort Myers, bringing flooding and damaging winds.
Hurricane warnings are in effect from Tampa to Fort Myers and storm surge warnings are in effect for a large portion of Florida’s west coast.
There is also a risk for tornadoes in Florida Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sep 27, 2:34 PM EDT
FEMA: ‘Do not underestimate’ Ian
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday, “Floridians are going to experience the impacts from the storm for a very long time.”
“Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge,” Criswell said. “In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge. So therefore, if people are told to evacuate by their local officials, please listen to them. The decision you choose to make may mean the difference between life and death.”
President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged residents to “evacuate when ordered.”
Biden said he spoke to the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Tuesday morning and told them to “contact me directly” for “whatever they need.”
Criswell said a search and rescue coordination group has been activated, including members from FEMA’s urban search and rescue teams, the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior.
The Red Cross has established 29 shelters and is prepared to open 60 more shelters if needed, she said.
Criswell stressed, “To those who may be watching at home, get ready and do not underestimate the potential that the storm can bring.”
The Orlando International Airport said operations will stop at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday while Tampa International Airport is suspending flights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is closing at 8 p.m. Tuesday while the Melbourne Orlando International Airport will stop flights at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Sep 27, 12:25 PM EDT
Orlando’s airport closing Wednesday
The Orlando International Airport said operations will stop at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday while Tampa International Airport is suspending flights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sep 27, 12:03 PM EDT
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Sep 27, 11:13 AM EDT
Landfall in Florida forecast for Wednesday afternoon
Hurricane Ian’s track is moving south, with landfall forecast for late afternoon Wednesday between Tampa and Fort Myers as a Category 3 storm.
The storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay has dropped from 10 feet to 8 feet. But now the predicted storm surge for Fort Myers has increased and could be as high as 12 feet.
Sep 27, 9:41 AM EDT
Tornado watches issued in South Florida
Tornado watches have been issued in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples and Key West as Hurricane Ian approaches.
The watches are in effect until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sep 27, 8:25 AM EDT
Latest forecast shows landfall in Tampa Bay area
The forecast has shifted significantly east, now with landfall expected in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night into early Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane.
This would mark Tampa Bay’s first direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921.
Slow-moving Ian is expected to drop more than 15 inches of rain from Tampa to Orlando.
Major flooding is possible in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Sep 27, 5:00 AM EDT
Hurricane Ian makes landfall after strengthening to major storm
Hurricane Ian made landfall over western Cuba early on Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
“Satellite and radar data indicate that the center of Ian has made landfall just southwest of the town of La Coloma in the Pinar Del Rio Province of Cuba at 4:30 a.m.,” the center said.
Ian’s winds at landfall were estimated at a maximum of 125 mph, making the storm a Category 3 hurricane.
Sep 26, 11:35 PM EDT
Ian strengthens as winds grow to 105 mph
Hurricane Ian continued to intensify Monday night, with maximum sustained winds now at 105 mph.
The hurricane is about 105 miles east-southeast of the western tip of Cuba, which is expected to see significant wind and storm surge impacts soon.
The storm is expected to become a major hurricane overnight or Tuesday morning.
Sep 26, 9:47 PM EDT
Tampa International Airport to close as Ian approaches
Tampa International Airport will stop all operations starting 5 p.m. Tuesday to secure its airfield and terminals ahead of Hurricane Ian’s expected landfall later this week.
Sep 26, 7:14 PM EDT
HHS secretary declares public health emergency for Florida
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency for the state of Florida.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra made the declaration Monday to address the possible health impacts for Florida residents once Hurricane Ian nears the state.
“We will do all we can to assist Florida officials with responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Ian,” Becerra said in a statement. “We are working closely with state, local, and tribal health authorities, as well as our federal partners, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
HHS has pre-positioned two 15-person health and medical task force teams from its National Disaster Medical System, as well as a 13-person incident management team and two pharmacists to assist with the response in Florida.
“These teams are highly trained and ready to respond if, when, and where they may be needed following the storm,” HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Saturday. That declaration was approved by President Joe Biden on Sunday.
Sep 26, 6:59 PM EDT
Hurricane warning issued for Tampa Bay area
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the Tampa Bay area just after its 5 p.m. advisory for Hurricane Ian.
The hurricane, currently a Category 2, is forecast to strengthen before it slows down as it approaches land. It is then expected to hover off the coast of Tampa from Wednesday into Thursday before making landfall.
A hurricane watch has also been issued for Big Bend, Florida, near the panhandle, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for much of southwest Florida.
Tropical storm watches are in effect for Orlando toward the northeast portion of the state, from Fort Pierce to Jacksonville.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
Sep 26, 6:21 PM EDT
Florida utility company to use remote grid technology to restore power during the storm
The emergency response from Florida Power & Light is “well underway” as Hurricane Ian approaches, the utility company announced Monday.
FP&L has mobilized 13,000 workers, as well as supplies, to ensure the response is conducted as safely and quickly as possible after the storm hits, according to a press release.
As the hurricane begins to bear down on the region, FP&L will use remote grid technology to restore power remotely during the storm, as long as it is safe to do so, the company said. After the storm passes and winds drop below 35 mph, FP&L will continue restoration and conduct damage assessments with field crews.
The utility company also urged customers to make preparations and take safety precautions.
“As this storm approaches Florida, we know our customers are counting on us and we are determined to meet this challenge,” said Eric Silagy, chairman and CEO of FP&L in a statement. “We are mobilizing and pre-positioning our restoration workforce, so these brave men and women can quickly start working as soon as it is safe to do so.”
-ABC News’ Matt Foster
Sep 26, 3:58 PM EDT
Florida State University cancels classes
Florida State University has canceled classes Tuesday through Friday as Hurricane Ian approaches.
“The cancellation of classes on Tuesday is to allow students to travel safely out of the area if they so choose,” the university said. “Students who choose to stay in Tallahassee will be advised via the FSU Alert system to follow a ‘shelter in place’ protocol during the storm.”
Sep 26, 3:38 PM EDT
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to close
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday due to the mandatory evacuation orders in Pinellas County. The airport will stay closed until the evacuation order is lifted.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Some residents of Sarasota County and Manatee County are also under mandatory evacuation orders.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Sep 26, 2:01 PM EDT
7,000 National Guardsmen deployed to help
Five-thousand members of the Florida National Guard have been activated to help during Hurricane Ian. Another 2,000 guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also coming to help, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Nearly 300 ambulances and support vehicles are being deployed to areas bracing for Ian’s landfall, DeSantis said.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Sep 26, 12:43 PM EDT
Tampa may shut down airport
In Tampa, where residents are bracing for 10 feet of dangerous storm surge, the Tampa International Airport may shut down parts of its airfield and facilities over the next day or two, airport officials announced.
The airport is in an evacuation zone, but because it’s critical infrastructure, it’s “exempt from the storm evacuation order and will stay open until a closure is necessary,” airport officials said in a statement.
It’s been 101 years since Tampa last had a direct hit from a major hurricane.
Sep 26, 11:36 AM EDT
Sarasota, Tampa-area schools close
Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa will be closed Monday through Thursday due to the storm. Instead, some schools will operate as storm shelters, the district said.
In Sarasota County, schools will be closed on Tuesday.
Sep 26, 11:34 AM EDT
First mandatory evacuation orders issued
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Sep 26, 10:43 AM EDT
NASA rolling Artemis rocket back off launch pad
NASA said it will roll the Artemis I rocket off the launch pad and back to the vehicle assembly building on Monday night due to the storm.
“Managers met Monday morning and made the decision based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian, after additional data gathered overnight did not show improving expected conditions for the Kennedy Space Center area,” NASA said in a statement. “The decision allows time for employees to address the needs of their families and protect the integrated rocket and spacecraft system.”
Sep 26, 10:08 AM EDT
Floodwater safety tips to remember
As Ian approaches, here are a few commonsense strategies to help avoid unnecessary risk from floodwaters:
–Before flooding, look up your neighborhood’s flood zone and determine if your home or business is prone to flooding. Come up with an evacuation plan and make sure your car has a full tank of gas. Stock up on non-perishable foods.
–After flooding, ensure your drinking water is sanitized and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with floodwaters. Disinfect objects that have come into contact with floodwater before offering them to children or toddlers.
–Try to avoid exposure with floodwaters for long periods of time to prevent physical injury. Wear waterproof boots if you have them. Do not attempt to drive over flooded streets as it could damage the car and strand passengers.
Sep 26, 10:01 AM EDT
White House closely monitoring Ian
The White House is “closely monitoring” the hurricane, a White House official told ABC News.
President Joe Biden approved Florida’s emergency assistance request this weekend “as soon as he received it,” the official said.
“He also directed his team to surge Federal assistance to the region well before landfall,” the official said. “FEMA has already deployed staff there and pre-positioned food, water, and generators.”
Biden was scheduled to travel to Florida on Monday but that trip has been postponed due to the storm.
-ABC News’ Karen Travers
Sep 26, 8:23 AM EDT
Hurricane watch issued for Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples
Ian is expected to become major Category 3 hurricane Monday night with winds of 115 mph.
As Ian passes Cuba, it’s expected to rapidly intensify, becoming a Category 4 hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Cuba and the Cayman Islands.
Models are split when it comes to Ian’s landfall in Florida; impacts could be as far north as Panama City and as far south as Fort Myers.
Some models forecast landfall by Wednesday afternoon between Tampa and Fort Myers, while other models predict landfall at the end of the week near Panama City or Apalachicola.
Hurricane watches have been issued in Tampa, Fort Myers and Naples.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Sep 26, 5:20 AM EDT
Storm becomes Hurricane Ian
The National Hurricane Center declared Ian a hurricane on Monday, as the storm gained strength on its way toward Florida.
“A Hurricane Watch has been issued along the west coast of Florida from north of Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay,” the center said on Monday.
– ABC News’ Max Golembo
Sep 25, 10:19 PM EDT
NASA to reconvene on whether to take Artemis rocket off launchpad
NASA hasn’t decided whether to leave its Artemis I rocket on the launchpad as it monitors Tropical Storm Ian’s path toward Florida, the agency said Sunday.
The federal space agency’s mission managers will continue discussions on Monday about the next steps as its rocket was delayed again.
On Saturday, NASA scrapped its third planned launch attempt of Artemis I because of weather concerns. Artemis I was scheduled to launch on Sept. 27.
Engineers will decide if the rocket needs to roll back off the launch pad. If they do not roll it back, the next possible launch date is Sunday, Oct. 2.
Tropical Storm Ian is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it nears Florida.
NASA had to scrub the first launch attempt on Aug. 29 because of a faulty temperature sensor and the second attempt on Sept. 3 due to a liquid hydrogen leak.
If the Oct. 2 launch doesn’t happen, the rocket will be taken back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center until the team decides on the next date.
-ABC News’ Gina Sunseri, Mary Kekatos and Nadine El-Bawab
Sep 25, 10:27 PM EDT
Ian strengthens once again, forecast to become hurricane on Monday
Tropical Storm Ian has strengthened with maximum sustained winds at 60 mph and is expected to get stronger throughout the night as atmospheric conditions become more favorable for the storm.
Ian is forecast to become a hurricane on Monday, becoming even more intense likely into Tuesday.
Ian is moving to the northwest to the Northwest at 12 mph, with the center located 160 miles away from Grand Cayman.
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are expected to experience heavy rain, a heavy surge and possible flash flooding over the next 24 hours.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 25, 5:45 PM EDT
Ian weakens slightly but will regain strength overnight
Tropical Storm Ian has weakened slightly, but it is expected to not only strengthen but rapidly intensify overnight as it travels over warm waters in the Caribbean.
As of 5 p.m. ET, the storm system had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph, with the center located about 220 miles away from Grand Cayman.
Dry air ahead of the storm has delayed the strengthening trend so far. But the rapid intensification is expected to occur Monday into Tuesday as the system continues across the northwestern Caribbean and closes in on western Cuba.
Over the next 24 hours, the outer bands will impact Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, bringing rounds of heavy rain, possible flash flooding and storm surge. Later Monday and into Monday night, Ian will be closing in on western Cuba and will likely bring significant wind and storm surge impacts to the region.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Grand Cayman and portions of western Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for portions of western Cuba, as well as the lower Florida Keys, including Key West.
As of 5 p.m., the forecast track was nudged slightly eastward. Overall, the forecast guidance variability and uncertainty will remain high, and the track for where the storm will be from the middle to the end of the week will continue to shift over the next 24 to 48 hours.
(LONDON) — The cause of death for Queen Elizabeth II has been made public on her death certificate.
The queen’s cause of death was old age, according to the Press Association, which cited the queen’s death certificate.
The late monarch died on Sept. 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96 years old at the time of her death.
The death certificate also revealed that Elizabeth died at 3:10 p.m. local time, and the informant of her death was Anne, the Princess Royal.
Anne is the queen’s second eldest child and the only daughter of her four children with the late Prince Philip.
Anne was with the queen in her final hours, along with King Charles III, Elizabeth’s eldest child, who inherited the throne upon her death.
The queen’s younger sons Princes Andrew and Edward, along with other family members, including her grandsons Princes William and Harry, later traveled to Balmoral as well.
Anne would go on to escort her mother’s coffin at every step of its journey from Balmoral Castle to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the queen is buried.
The queen was hospitalized in late October 2021 for what Buckingham Palace described as “preliminary investigations.” After a one-night hospital stay, the queen returned home to Windsor Castle, where she resumed her work, the palace said at the time.
A few weeks later, on Nov. 14, the queen missed the annual Remembrance Sunday service after she sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time.
In February 2022, the queen tested positive for COVID-19 but had only “mild cold-like symptoms” as a result of the virus, according to the palace.
Two months later, in April, she celebrated her 96th birthday at Sandringham, her country estate in Norfolk.
In June, the queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne.
She attended just three events during the four-day celebration, due to what Buckingham Palace described at the time as “some discomfort.”
The queen’s last public appearance came just two days before she died, on Sept. 6, when she held an in-person audience at Balmoral Castle with Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss.
(NEW YORK) — Hundreds of hospitals along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are at risk of flooding from hurricanes a new study finds, as Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida Wednesday as a Category 4 storm.
The study, published Thursday, found that even lower category storms carry a serious risk to medical centers along the coasts.
Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston University School of Medicine and nonprofit research institute PSE Healthy Energy looked at 682 hospitals in 78 metropolitan areas within 10 miles from the coast.
This covers an area where 85 million people — or roughly one in four Americans — live. Researchers found that in 25 of the 78 metro areas, at least half of the hospitals are at risk of flooding from a Category 2 hurricane.
Additionally, because of the rise in sea levels caused by climate change, hospitals are at a 22% higher risk of flooding.
Dr. Aaron Bernstein, senior author of the study and interim director of the Harvard Chan Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment, told ABC News that this is the first study to examine what would happen to health care systems if they got hit by a hurricane.
“I [looked at the] literature and found that there was no literature on what hurricanes would systematically do to access to health care on the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts,” he said. “There were papers showing the aftermath, so we have these studies after Katrina, after Sandy, after Harvey and those are very informative about what’s at stake here.”
He went on, “But no one had looked prospectively and said, ‘OK, at a systems level, how do hurricanes matter to the ability of hospitals to be functional and deliver care at a time when people may need them more than usual?'”
Five of the 10 metro areas — Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, North Port-Sarasota, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, and Jacksonville — will be tested by Ian.
The Sarasota area has the most hospitals at risk of flooding followed by the Fort Myers area.
Photos have been posted on social media of hospitals, such as Tampa General Hospital, preparing for storm surges from Hurricane Ian by building a flood barrier.
The other five metro areas include Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, New York-Newark-Jersey City, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, New Orleans-Metairie and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington.
Additionally, the study found that even if hospitals themselves were not flooded, the roads around them may be, which could restrict or prevent access to care.
In 18 of the metro areas examined, at least half of all roads within one mile of hospitals were at risk of flooding due to a Category 2 hurricane.
“I think what our study underscores, and past experience does as well, is that while you could have a fully-functioning hospital in one part of a city, if you can’t get there because the roads are underwater, it’s not that helpful,” Bernstein said. “So, we need to think more systematically in our response to hurricanes. It requires a coordinated response in metro areas about knowing where beds are, knowing where staff is available, where supplies can be accessed, knowing where transportation is safe.”
Bernstein said the study gives an idea of which cities have hospitals that need to prepare against life-threatening flooding before it’s too late.
“Most hospitals have done very little [to prepare for hurricanes] because they don’t have the resources, which is understandable,” Bernstein said. “Health care is on the ropes after COVID. So you can imagine the idea of building protections against flooding is not necessarily top on the priority list.”
He continued, “With the risks of climate change, and hurricanes in particular, so grossly apparent, I don’t think anyone wants to look back and say, ‘Well, we let these people die.’ I think we need to use the knowledge we can glean, to take informed steps that balance costs with outcomes.”
(NEW YORK) — Ian’s winds weakened to 65 mph on Thursday morning, downgrading the system to a tropical storm as it moved over central Florida. The storm made landfall on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 29, 8:45 AM EDT
Ian, now a tropical storm, heads for South Carolina, Georgia coast
Ian, now a tropical storm, is near Florida’s east coast and is moving back over water. Ian is expected to re-intensify and could be at near-hurricane strength when it approaches the coast of South Carolina on Friday.
A hurricane watch has been issued for South Carolina and the Georgia coast.
Ian is producing catastrophic flooding over east-central Florida and is expected to produce life-threatening flooding, storm surge and gusty winds across portions of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
There are already more than 14,000 customers without power in Georgia.
Sep 29, 8:24 AM EDT
Water service out in Punta Gorda, boil water notice in effect until further notice
Hurricane Ian caused serious damage to the city of Punta Gorda’s water system, leaving it empty, the city said in an alert sent out to residents.
Water services will be restored as repairs are made, but the city warned it may take days to complete the repairs, officials said.
The city is under a boil water notice.
Officials set up a water fill station for residents and additional water availability has been requested through the Emergency Operations Center, the city said.
Sep 29, 8:10 AM EDT
Power restored to 502,100 customers, some will experience prolonged outages
Power has been restored to 502,100 customers, as of 5 a.m. Thursday, Florida Power & Light Company said.
But, the power utility company warned that some customers may experience prolonged outages “because portions of the electric system in Southwest Florida will need to be rebuilt rather than repaired,” FPL said in a statement.
The company said is still working to restore power to 1.2 million customers.
FPL said its workforce has increased to more than 20,000 people, including mutual assistance from 30 states, as it works around the clock to restore power.
“Hurricane Ian has forever altered the lives of so many of our fellow Floridians and we recognize the road to recovery will be long and challenging,” Eric Silagy, chairman and CEO of FPL, said in a statement.
Sep 29, 7:58 AM EDT
Ian a deadly, ‘life-changing’ storm, Lee County sheriff says
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told ABC News’ Good Morning America that Hurricane Ian was very unpredictable, with officials tracking the storm every minute and they didn’t know where it would hit.
“This is a life-changing event for all of us. We tracked that storm up the coast of Florida, it was very unpredictable,” Marceno said.
He added, “We didn’t know where it would hit. I can tell you it came into Lee County strong and it was slow moving.”
Marceno said there were fatalities, but he didn’t yet know the exact number.
Marceno said they are already assessing the area, but the whole area is “crushed” and people are trapped. Marceno said they have thousands of 911 calls that they are currently answering.
“We still cannot access many of the people that are in need,” Marceno said. “It’s a real, real rough road ahead.”
Sep 29, 7:21 AM EDT
Biden Approves Florida Disaster Declaration
President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Florida residents in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” the White House said.
Sep 29, 6:42 AM EDT
Conditions in Kissimmee and neighboring counties in Florida worsened overnight
Flooding has hit several parts of the Orlando area, including Seminole, Osceola, Lake counties and other neighboring areas.
ABC News’ Orlando affiliate WFTV said that first responders in Kissimmee rescued at least one person from a couple of vehicles that had been partially submerged during a storm surge overnight.
It is unclear how severe the damage is in the area but witnesses reported heavy and sustained wind and rain throughout the overnight hours.
Sep 29, 6:40 AM EDT
Flash flood emergency declared near Orlando
A flash flood emergency was declared in areas north of Orlando as the region was hit by about a foot of rain, the National Weather Service said.
The declaration covered Sanford, Lake Mary and Heathrow, the service said. Nearby Central Orange, Seminole and South Central Volusia were also under flash flood warnings.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” the service said. “Seek higher ground now! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
Parts of the region have seen more than 16 inches of rain within 24 hours, with more than 9 inches in the last six hours, making the storm a 1,000-year flood event in the Orlando area and to the north.
Sep 29, 5:50 AM EDT
Power outages spread to 2.5 million customers
More than 2.5 million customers were without power in Florida at about 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, the state’s providers said.
Sep 29, 5:09 AM EDT
Ian becomes tropical storm with 65 mph winds
Ian’s winds slowed to 65 mph early on Thursday morning, downgrading the system to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said.
“The Hurricane Warnings along the east and west coasts of the Florida peninsula have been changed to Tropical Storm Warnings,” the center said.
Sep 29, 5:20 AM EDT
Biden and DeSantis update schedules for Thursday
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding his next press conference on the latest developments of Hurricane Ian at 8:45 a.m. ET at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. to receive an update on Hurricane Ian at 12 p.m. ET.
While Hurricane Ian is expected to become a tropical storm on Thursday, the storm has battered southwest Florida and has left more than 2 million people without power so far.
Sep 29, 2:15 AM EDT
Ian now 75 mph Category 1 hurricane, expected to become tropical storm later this morning
As of the 2 a.m. ET advisory this morning, Ian continues to maintain its hurricane status.
However, it has weakened to a 75 mph Category 1 hurricane and is expected to become a tropical storm later this morning before emerging off of Florida’s east coast.
Ian’s new track will be issued and updated again at 5 a.m. ET.
Sep 29, 2:09 AM EDT
2.3 million customers without power, Florida providers say
Florida’s electric providers said more than 2.3 million customers were without power at about 2 a.m. local time.
Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest provider, reported more than 1.1 million outages for its 5.7 million customers.
“Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic winds will mean parts of our system will need to be rebuilt — not restored,” the company said on Twitter late Wednesday. “Be prepared for widespread, extended outages as we are assessing the damage. We are already at work restoring power where we can do so safely.”
Sep 29, 12:38 AM EDT
Portions of Fort Myers under up to 4 feet of water
Portions of Fort Myers are under up to 4 feet of water, the city said late Wednesday night, and residents are being told to stay inside as first responders try and assess the damage from Hurricane Ian.
“We need to ensure that the roads are clear so that our first responders and our assistance crews can go out there and help everyone that needs us,” the city wrote on Twitter. “PLEASE, please, please stay inside.”
Sep 29, 12:04 AM EDT
Jacksonville airport cancels all flights Thursday
Jacksonville International Airport has canceled all flights for Thursday and the terminal will be closed.
Sep 28, 11:29 PM EDT
Hurricane Ian now Category 1 storm
Ian continues to gradually weaken as it moves across the Florida Peninsula, now a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds down to 90 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and the center is currently about 70 miles south of Orlando.
While Ian is weakening, it’s still bringing widespread dangerous weather impacts across the state.
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for parts of Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Hardee and Highlands counties in west-central Florida, with other areas experiencing life-threatening flash flooding.
Between 12 to 19 inches of rain has already fallen in the area.
-ABC News’ Daniel Peck
Sep 28, 10:51 PM EDT
Lee County sheriff: Reports of buildings compromised and vehicles floating
As Hurricane Ian makes its way across Florida, counties are assessing the devastation left by the storm.
In a Wednesday night press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said that Ian hit the county extremely hard.
Marceno said he’d gotten reports of compromised homes and businesses and of vehicles floating into the ocean.
Officials said part of Fort Myers, which is in Lee County, was “decimated” by Hurricane Ian.
Marceno said residents are in need, and the county will respond to emergency calls once it’s safe.
-ABC News’ William Gretsky
Sep 28, 10:46 PM EDT
Ian continues to gradually weaken, winds at 100 mph
Hurricane Ian continues to gradually weaken as of 10 p.m. ET, with maximum sustained winds now down to 100 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and its center is currently about 80 miles south of Orlando.
The Florida Peninsula continues to experience dangerous weather impacts, including strong wind gusts, torrential rain and persistent storm surge in some areas.
Areas of relentless heavy rain will continue to bring the threat of dangerous flash flooding in some areas. This threat becomes even more dangerous during overnight hours.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 28, 10:33 PM EDT
At least 30 rescues in Naples Wednesday
There were at least 30 rescues in Naples, Florida, on Wednesday amid ongoing rescue operations, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.
“Our East Naples deputies did 30 rescue missions today. We are still collecting numbers from other areas. We are still rescuing people,” the office wrote on Facebook.
“Water is everywhere. It will recede. There will be damage,” it added. “Tomorrow we will have a better idea of the extent of damage. We will keep you updated.”
Sep 28, 10:26 PM EDT
More than 2 million customers without power in Florida
The number of customers without power in Florida has topped 2 million, as Hurricane Ian continues making its way across the state.
Most of the outages are in the southern Gulf side of the state, primarily in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The outages are moving east as the storm moves across the state.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 28, 9:28 PM EDT
Jacksonville mayor announces closure of 3 major beaches
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Wednesday evening that the city is closing Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches ahead of Hurricane Ian’s impact on the area.
“We will reopen as soon as it’s safe for citizens,” Curry tweeted.
Sep 28, 9:26 PM EDT
Over 1.9 million customers without power in Florida
The number of customers without power in Florida has topped 1.9 million, as Hurricane Ian continues making its way across the state.
Most of the outages are in the southern Gulf side of the state, primarily in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The outages are moving east as the storm moves across the state.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 28, 9:13 PM EDT
Ian downgraded to Category 2 hurricane
Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm as of a 9 p.m. ET update, with winds now at 105 mph.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 8:30 PM EDT
Extreme wind warning issued for central Florida counties
Hurricane Ian remains a Category 3 storm as of an 8 p.m. ET update, with winds dropping to 115 mph.
The National Weather Service issued a new Extreme Wind Warning for Highlands, Hardee, Charlotte, Polk and DeSoto Counties in central Florida until 9:30 p.m. ET.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 7:31 PM EDT
‘We hear your calls’: Sheriff
Lee County has received more than double the number of 911 calls it typically receives amid Hurricane Ian, according to Sheriff Carmine Marceno, as first responders have suspended their emergency response during the major storm.
“We hear your calls and are aware that Hurricane Ian was a powerful and devastating weather event,” Marceno said in a social media post Wednesday evening. “We want to get to you. We want to save you. As soon as safely possible, our assets are ready to deploy to come to your aide.”
Ben Abes, Lee County’s public safety director, said current conditions, including flooding, make it “impossible” for first responders to go out. He said the county is tracking 911 calls and prioritizing them once first responders are able to act after the hurricane passes.
“We are aware of a number of calls of people who are stranded due to high water,” he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening. “This is a scary situation. We urge you not to panic.”
Lee County, which is home to hard-hit Fort Myers, Sanibel and Bonita Beach, issued a countywide curfew Wednesday evening due to the storm that is in effect until further notice.
Sep 28, 7:15 PM EDT
Ian downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane
Hurricane Ian has weakened to a Category 3 storm hours after making landfall near Fort Myers as a major hurricane.
While the strength of the storm has diminished slightly, Ian is still wreaking havoc on the Sunshine State as a devastating storm.
The highest wind gust measured at 132 mph at Port Charlotte, and maximum sustained winds are currently at 125 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 7 p.m. advisory.
Water levels in Fort Myers have been reported at more than 7 feet, the advisory states.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 7:10 PM EDT
Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach ‘decimated’ by Ian, local officials say
Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach have been “decimated” by Ian after the major hurricane made landfall there.
About 75% of Lee County is without power, and several people are stranded due to high water, officials from Lee County Emergency Management announced during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
A curfew in Lee County was implemented beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Forecasts predict that it will not be safe to venture outside in the region until 5 a.m. on Thursday, officials said.
The number of injuries or fatalities is not yet clear, officials said, adding that the recovery efforts will take months.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Sep 28, 6:38 PM EDT
Wind gusts in eye wall measure at 104 mph
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration station in Venice Beach, Florida, has measured wind gusts of 104 mph within the northern eye wall of Hurricane Ian, according to the 6 p.m. storm advisory.
The storm is currently battering the Florida peninsula with catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds measured at 130 mph, and the storm system has begun churning even slower at 8 mph north-northeast — toward the east coast of the state.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
Sep 28, 6:33 PM EDT
‘Massive mobilization’ of utility trucks on the way to Florida, governor says
A caravan of utility trucks is making its way from several states toward the parts of Florida most battered by Hurricane Ian to restore power after the worst of the storm has passed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a massive, massive mobilization,” DeSantis said, adding that workers are coming from other southern states accustomed to hurricane cleanup, such as Texas and Louisiana.
More nearly 1.5 million customers in Florida were without power Wednesday as Ian made landfall near Fort Myers.
Ian continued to batter a large swath of Florida at 6:15 p.m. ET, with life-threatening storm surge all along the southwest coast — up to 12 feet in some places, DeSantis said.
Downtown Naples was reportedly completely flooded due to record storm surge, and while there were also reports of structural damage in Lee County, DeSantis said.
“This was a top five hurricane to ever hit the Florida peninsula,” the governor said.
DeSantis said that devastating inland flooding was inundating much of the regions experiencing hurricane conditions, as well.
DeSantis has declared a major disaster in the state.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Sep 28, 6:13 PM EDT
Fort Myers, Naples issue curfews
The city of Fort Myers in southwest Florida has issued a citywide curfew “to protect and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of residents, visitors and first responders.” The curfew started at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be in effect for the next 48 hours.
Down the coast, the city of Naples also issued a citywide curfew earlier Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately until further notice.
Naples reported record storm surge Wednesday morning, before Ian made landfall.
Sep 28, 4:54 PM EDT
Ian makes 2nd landfall on Florida mainland
Hurricane Ian made a second landfall just south of Punta Gorda with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph.
Ian made initial landfall on a barrier island near Cayo Costa just after 3 p.m.
Sep 28, 4:48 PM EDT
South Carolina, North Carolina issue states of emergency
The governors of South Carolina and North Carolina each issued states of emergency on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Ian’s arrival.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said no evacuations or school closures have been ordered yet.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said the decision would help first responders and farmers and protect customers from price gouging.
The storm is expected to cross Florida and enter the Atlantic before making landfall again along the South Carolina coast over the weekend.
Sep 28, 4:13 PM EDT
Over 1 million power outages
Over 1 million Florida customers were without power on Wednesday just after Ian made landfall.
The majority of outages were along the west coast in Sarasota, Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.
Sep 28, 3:12 PM EDT
Ian makes landfall as Category 4
Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s west coast Wednesday afternoon as a powerful Category 4 storm, slamming the coastline with powerful 150 mph winds and dangerous storm surge.
Landfall was at about 3:05 p.m. ET near Cayo Costa, an island off the coast of Fort Myers.
For southwest Florida, Ian “will probably be the big one that they always remember,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
The governor said Ian will likely stay in the state until Thursday, exiting from Daytona Beach.
Sep 28, 2:07 PM EDT
Biden to visit FEMA on Thursday
President Joe Biden will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to receive an update on Hurricane Ian, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“We have deployed significant federal resources to the region to help prepare for the hurricane,” Jean-Pierre said at Wednesday’s press briefing. “We have more than 1,300 federal response workers on the ground in Florida. … Three-hundred Army Corps personnel are on the ground to support power and fuel assessments. Three-hundred ambulances are supporting local officials, and multiple federal disaster medical assistance teams are deployed to Florida and Georgia.”
Sarasota County, Florida, officials announced emergency crews will no longer respond to calls due to Hurricane Ian.
In Charlotte County, just north of Fort Myers, emergency response calls for fire and EMS service will also be suspended.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office added, “911 will still be operational and calls will be triaged for response as soon as weather condition permit.”
Sep 28, 1:25 PM EDT
Naples issues curfew
The city of Naples, in southwest Florida, has issued a citywide curfew, effective immediately until further notice.
Naples has reported a wind gust of 112 mph as Hurricane Ian inches closer to shore.
Sep 28, 1:03 PM EDT
Extreme wind warning issued
An extreme wind warning has been issued near Fort Myers as Hurricane Ian nears.
Naples has reported a wind gust of 112 mph.
Fort Myers resident Debbie Levenson and her husband chose not to evacuate for Hurricane Ian and are staying put at home.
“Hurricanes are a concern, but I don’t freak out about it. You do what you have to do. You get your supplies, make sure you have flashlights, do your laundry ahead of time in case you lose power,” she told ABC News. “We bought bottled water and wine. We put gas in the car. The store shelves were not empty.”
“We are concerned with local flooding, but we drained the pool and are keeping an eye on the roads,” she continued. “Most of the neighborhood has stayed. Neighbors only left if they had small children or had a medical reason.”
Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, warned people sheltering in place to not venture out once the storm passes over.
“Don’t go out there. It’s so dangerous to be out there. So even if you see the water receding, it’s not the time to go out,” he said.
-ABC News’ Morgan Korn and Max Golembo
Sep 28, 12:03 PM EDT
Ian nears record-breaking winds
Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 with 155 mph winds, is nearing record-breaking wind levels.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Sep 28, 11:53 AM EDT
Naples sees record storm surge
Naples, Florida, reached a new record-high storm surge of 4.8 feet Wednesday morning — and the water continues to rise.
This beats the record of 4.25 feet reached during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, warned Wednesday, “This is going to be a storm we talk about for many years to come — historic event.”
Sep 28, 11:13 AM EDT
Ian’s eyewall moving on shore
Hurricane Ian’s eyewall is moving on shore.
The powerful Category 4 storm is set to bring catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding.
Sanibel Island has reported sustained winds of 58 mph with a wind gust reaching 75 mph.
Sep 28, 10:45 AM EDT
Over 2,000 flights canceled
The airports in Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
Over 2,000 flights have been canceled within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday.
Another 1,600 flights are already cancelled for Thursday.
The Tampa International Airport will remain closed through Thursday.
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway and Sam Sweeney
Sep 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Over 172,000 power outages
Over 172,000 Florida customers are without power on Wednesday morning as Ian nears.
Sep 28, 9:09 AM EDT
18 feet of storm surge possible
Up to 18 feet of dangerous storm surge is forecast along Florida’s Southwest coast, including Englewood, Bonita Beach and Charlotte Harbor.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday that her biggest concern with Ian was storm surge.
“In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge,” she noted.
Sep 28, 8:32 AM EDT
Gov.: Treat storm like tornado approaching your home
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Wednesday morning that Ian could potentially make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane.
“This is a powerful storm that should be treated like you would treat a tornado approaching your home,” he said. “This one has just strengthened and strengthened, and it is the real deal. So, it is going to do a lot of damage, so people should be prepared for that.”
More than 200 shelters are open in South Florida, he said.
Twenty-six states, including New York and New Jersey, have sent support to Florida, he said.
Sep 28, 7:41 AM EDT
Winds near Category 5 as storm approaches Florida
Hurricane Ian approached Category 5 status at about 6:30 a.m. ET, with its winds topping out at 155 mph.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Severe Category 5 hurricanes have winds above 157 mph.
“Rapidly intensifying Ian forecast to cause catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the National Hurricane Center said at 7 a.m. ET.
Sep 28, 7:23 AM EDT
16 feet of storm surge possible
A whopping 16 feet of storm surge is possible around Fort Myers.
Up to 11 feet of storm surge is forecast for Naples while a maximum of 10 feet is expected for the Sarasota area.
“Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday. “In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge.”
Sep 28, 7:15 AM EDT
Nearly 2,000 flights canceled
Florida’s airports are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
There are at least 1,903 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the United States for Wednesday.
Sep 28, 5:13 AM EDT
Ian strengthens to Category 4 hurricane
Hurricane Ian strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, as its winds climbed to 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is the first Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Rita in September 2005.
Sep 28, 3:06 AM EDT
Ian moves closer to Florida’s west coast
Hurricane Ian was moving closer to Florida’s west coast, the National Hurricane Center said in its 2 a.m. ET update on the storm’s position.
The eye of the Category 3 storm was about 95 miles southwest of Naples, Florida, and was moving north-northeast at about 10 mph, officials said.
“On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to approach the west coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area this morning, and move onshore later today,” the update said.
Officials said the storm was expected to pass over central Florida on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, before emerging over the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday.
The hurricane was “expected to cause life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the update said.
Sep 28, 2:28 AM EDT
Miami-Dade County suspends transit service
Officials in Miami-Dade County suspended transit services at 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday, as Hurricane Ian approached Florida.
Florida’s most populous county halted its Metrobus, Metrorail, Metromover and Special Transportation Services until further notice, officials said in a news release.
Sep 28, 12:24 AM EDT
DeSantis tells Floridians time to evacuate is ‘now’
Hurricane Ian is fast approaching Florida, and the time to leave is “now” if you’re in an evacuation zone, Gov. Ron DeSantis said late Tuesday during a press conference.
“Your time to evacuate is coming to an end. You need to evacuate now. You’re going to start feeling major impacts of this storm relatively soon,” the governor said. “Now is the time to do it, and now is the time to act.”
As of Tuesday night, about 8,000 people were without power in the southern part of Florida, officials said.
Conditions are expected to continue to deteriorate across central and south Florida, with landfall currently forecast sometime between Wednesday afternoon and early evening.
Elsewhere, a tropical storm warning is now in effect along the coast of Georgia and up to Charleston, S.C.
Sep 27, 10:31 PM EDT
Biden spoke with DeSantis, White House press secretary says
President Joe Biden spoke Tuesday night with Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival “to discuss the steps the federal government is taking to help Florida prepare,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted.
“The president and the governor committed to continued close coordination,” Jean-Pierre wrote.
Sep 27, 10:18 PM EDT
Cuba without power in wake of Hurricane Ian: Reports
Cuba has lost power after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the island Tuesday, according to reports.
There is “0 electricity generation” in the country, according to a National Electric System update.
“This complicated condition is also associated with complex weather conditions that have affected the SEN infrastructure,” the update said.
Sep 27, 8:33 PM EDT
Some Florida residents begin evacuating ahead of Ian’s landfall
Some Florida residents have begun evacuating their homes as Hurricane Ian approaches.
People are seeking shelter ahead of the storm, which is currently forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Ian remains a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as of Tuesday might.
It’s moving north-northeast at 10 mph and the center is located about 180 miles south-southwest of Punta Gorda, Florida.
There have been multiple tornado warnings in the area over the past few hours. A large tornado was reported on the ground in southern Broward County, near Davie, at around 7:30 p.m. ET.
Sep 27, 7:34 PM EDT
Satellite images show lightning-packed eye of Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian is barreling toward Florida, and satellite images show the eye of the storm packed with lightning as it strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm is currently forecast to make landfall on Florida’s western coast on Wednesday between 1 and 6 p.m., somewhere between Port Charlotte and Sarasota.
Sep 27, 6:31 PM EDT
DeSantis on Hurricane Ian: ‘This thing is the real deal, it is a major, major storm’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has urged Floridians to take Hurricane Ian seriously as the powerful storm heads to the state.
“You don’t get a mulligan when your personal safety is at risk,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday.
About 2.5 million people in the state are under evacuation orders.
“This thing is the real deal. It is a major, major storm,” DeSantis said.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 27, 5:43 PM EDT
5,000 Florida Guardsmen activated and prepping for Hurricane Ian
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen to armories across the state in preparation for Hurricane Ian, which is forecast to hit the state on Wednesday.
Roughly 2,000 National Guard members from neighboring states such as Tennessee are also being activated to assist, the Florida National Guard said in a statement Tuesday.
“The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more,” the statement said.
The U.S. Navy has authorized non-essential personnel in various Florida counties to evacuate.
-ABC News’ Matt Seyler
Sep 27, 5:12 PM EDT
Landfall forecast for Wednesday afternoon or evening
Hurricane Ian, barreling north toward Florida with 120 mph winds, is now located about 230 miles away from Sarasota.
Ian is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon or early evening.
Ian’s outer bands are already hitting South Florida, bringing a threat of heavy downpours, strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and even tornadoes. A tornado watch is in effect for South Florida until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 27, 4:51 PM EDT
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando to close
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will close Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm.
Sep 27, 3:56 PM EDT
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency.
Sep 27, 2:57 PM EDT
Ian, a Category 3, expected to strengthen more
Ian, now a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds, has strengthened on Tuesday and is forecast to strengthen even more into the night.
People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022, during the…Read More
The latest track shows Ian making landfall on Wednesday, striking the west coast of Florida between Tampa and Fort Myers, bringing flooding and damaging winds.
Hurricane warnings are in effect from Tampa to Fort Myers and storm surge warnings are in effect for a large portion of Florida’s west coast.
There is also a risk for tornadoes in Florida Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sep 27, 2:34 PM EDT
FEMA: ‘Do not underestimate’ Ian
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday, “Floridians are going to experience the impacts from the storm for a very long time.”
“Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge,” Criswell said. “In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge. So therefore, if people are told to evacuate by their local officials, please listen to them. The decision you choose to make may mean the difference between life and death.”
President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged residents to “evacuate when ordered.”
Biden said he spoke to the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Tuesday morning and told them to “contact me directly” for “whatever they need.”
Criswell said a search and rescue coordination group has been activated, including members from FEMA’s urban search and rescue teams, the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior.
The Red Cross has established 29 shelters and is prepared to open 60 more shelters if needed, she said.
Criswell stressed, “To those who may be watching at home, get ready and do not underestimate the potential that the storm can bring.”
The Orlando International Airport said operations will stop at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday while Tampa International Airport is suspending flights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is closing at 8 p.m. Tuesday while the Melbourne Orlando International Airport will stop flights at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Sep 27, 12:25 PM EDT
Orlando’s airport closing Wednesday
The Orlando International Airport said operations will stop at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday while Tampa International Airport is suspending flights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sep 27, 12:03 PM EDT
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Sep 27, 11:13 AM EDT
Landfall in Florida forecast for Wednesday afternoon
Hurricane Ian’s track is moving south, with landfall forecast for late afternoon Wednesday between Tampa and Fort Myers as a Category 3 storm.
The storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay has dropped from 10 feet to 8 feet. But now the predicted storm surge for Fort Myers has increased and could be as high as 12 feet.
Sep 27, 9:41 AM EDT
Tornado watches issued in South Florida
Tornado watches have been issued in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples and Key West as Hurricane Ian approaches.
The watches are in effect until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sep 27, 8:25 AM EDT
Latest forecast shows landfall in Tampa Bay area
The forecast has shifted significantly east, now with landfall expected in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night into early Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane.
This would mark Tampa Bay’s first direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921.
Slow-moving Ian is expected to drop more than 15 inches of rain from Tampa to Orlando.
Major flooding is possible in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Sep 27, 5:00 AM EDT
Hurricane Ian makes landfall after strengthening to major storm
Hurricane Ian made landfall over western Cuba early on Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
“Satellite and radar data indicate that the center of Ian has made landfall just southwest of the town of La Coloma in the Pinar Del Rio Province of Cuba at 4:30 a.m.,” the center said.
Ian’s winds at landfall were estimated at a maximum of 125 mph, making the storm a Category 3 hurricane.
Sep 26, 11:35 PM EDT
Ian strengthens as winds grow to 105 mph
Hurricane Ian continued to intensify Monday night, with maximum sustained winds now at 105 mph.
The hurricane is about 105 miles east-southeast of the western tip of Cuba, which is expected to see significant wind and storm surge impacts soon.
The storm is expected to become a major hurricane overnight or Tuesday morning.
Sep 26, 9:47 PM EDT
Tampa International Airport to close as Ian approaches
Tampa International Airport will stop all operations starting 5 p.m. Tuesday to secure its airfield and terminals ahead of Hurricane Ian’s expected landfall later this week.
Sep 26, 7:14 PM EDT
HHS secretary declares public health emergency for Florida
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency for the state of Florida.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra made the declaration Monday to address the possible health impacts for Florida residents once Hurricane Ian nears the state.
“We will do all we can to assist Florida officials with responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Ian,” Becerra said in a statement. “We are working closely with state, local, and tribal health authorities, as well as our federal partners, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
HHS has pre-positioned two 15-person health and medical task force teams from its National Disaster Medical System, as well as a 13-person incident management team and two pharmacists to assist with the response in Florida.
“These teams are highly trained and ready to respond if, when, and where they may be needed following the storm,” HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Saturday. That declaration was approved by President Joe Biden on Sunday.
Sep 26, 6:59 PM EDT
Hurricane warning issued for Tampa Bay area
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the Tampa Bay area just after its 5 p.m. advisory for Hurricane Ian.
The hurricane, currently a Category 2, is forecast to strengthen before it slows down as it approaches land. It is then expected to hover off the coast of Tampa from Wednesday into Thursday before making landfall.
A hurricane watch has also been issued for Big Bend, Florida, near the panhandle, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for much of southwest Florida.
Tropical storm watches are in effect for Orlando toward the northeast portion of the state, from Fort Pierce to Jacksonville.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
Sep 26, 6:21 PM EDT
Florida utility company to use remote grid technology to restore power during the storm
The emergency response from Florida Power & Light is “well underway” as Hurricane Ian approaches, the utility company announced Monday.
FP&L has mobilized 13,000 workers, as well as supplies, to ensure the response is conducted as safely and quickly as possible after the storm hits, according to a press release.
As the hurricane begins to bear down on the region, FP&L will use remote grid technology to restore power remotely during the storm, as long as it is safe to do so, the company said. After the storm passes and winds drop below 35 mph, FP&L will continue restoration and conduct damage assessments with field crews.
The utility company also urged customers to make preparations and take safety precautions.
“As this storm approaches Florida, we know our customers are counting on us and we are determined to meet this challenge,” said Eric Silagy, chairman and CEO of FP&L in a statement. “We are mobilizing and pre-positioning our restoration workforce, so these brave men and women can quickly start working as soon as it is safe to do so.”
-ABC News’ Matt Foster
Sep 26, 3:58 PM EDT
Florida State University cancels classes
Florida State University has canceled classes Tuesday through Friday as Hurricane Ian approaches.
“The cancellation of classes on Tuesday is to allow students to travel safely out of the area if they so choose,” the university said. “Students who choose to stay in Tallahassee will be advised via the FSU Alert system to follow a ‘shelter in place’ protocol during the storm.”
Sep 26, 3:38 PM EDT
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to close
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday due to the mandatory evacuation orders in Pinellas County. The airport will stay closed until the evacuation order is lifted.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Some residents of Sarasota County and Manatee County are also under mandatory evacuation orders.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Sep 26, 2:01 PM EDT
7,000 National Guardsmen deployed to help
Five-thousand members of the Florida National Guard have been activated to help during Hurricane Ian. Another 2,000 guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also coming to help, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Nearly 300 ambulances and support vehicles are being deployed to areas bracing for Ian’s landfall, DeSantis said.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Sep 26, 12:43 PM EDT
Tampa may shut down airport
In Tampa, where residents are bracing for 10 feet of dangerous storm surge, the Tampa International Airport may shut down parts of its airfield and facilities over the next day or two, airport officials announced.
The airport is in an evacuation zone, but because it’s critical infrastructure, it’s “exempt from the storm evacuation order and will stay open until a closure is necessary,” airport officials said in a statement.
It’s been 101 years since Tampa last had a direct hit from a major hurricane.
Sep 26, 11:36 AM EDT
Sarasota, Tampa-area schools close
Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa will be closed Monday through Thursday due to the storm. Instead, some schools will operate as storm shelters, the district said.
In Sarasota County, schools will be closed on Tuesday.
Sep 26, 11:34 AM EDT
First mandatory evacuation orders issued
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Sep 26, 10:43 AM EDT
NASA rolling Artemis rocket back off launch pad
NASA said it will roll the Artemis I rocket off the launch pad and back to the vehicle assembly building on Monday night due to the storm.
“Managers met Monday morning and made the decision based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian, after additional data gathered overnight did not show improving expected conditions for the Kennedy Space Center area,” NASA said in a statement. “The decision allows time for employees to address the needs of their families and protect the integrated rocket and spacecraft system.”
Sep 26, 10:08 AM EDT
Floodwater safety tips to remember
As Ian approaches, here are a few commonsense strategies to help avoid unnecessary risk from floodwaters:
–Before flooding, look up your neighborhood’s flood zone and determine if your home or business is prone to flooding. Come up with an evacuation plan and make sure your car has a full tank of gas. Stock up on non-perishable foods.
–After flooding, ensure your drinking water is sanitized and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with floodwaters. Disinfect objects that have come into contact with floodwater before offering them to children or toddlers.
–Try to avoid exposure with floodwaters for long periods of time to prevent physical injury. Wear waterproof boots if you have them. Do not attempt to drive over flooded streets as it could damage the car and strand passengers.
Sep 26, 10:01 AM EDT
White House closely monitoring Ian
The White House is “closely monitoring” the hurricane, a White House official told ABC News.
President Joe Biden approved Florida’s emergency assistance request this weekend “as soon as he received it,” the official said.
“He also directed his team to surge Federal assistance to the region well before landfall,” the official said. “FEMA has already deployed staff there and pre-positioned food, water, and generators.”
Biden was scheduled to travel to Florida on Monday but that trip has been postponed due to the storm.
-ABC News’ Karen Travers
Sep 26, 8:23 AM EDT
Hurricane watch issued for Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples
Ian is expected to become major Category 3 hurricane Monday night with winds of 115 mph.
As Ian passes Cuba, it’s expected to rapidly intensify, becoming a Category 4 hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Cuba and the Cayman Islands.
Models are split when it comes to Ian’s landfall in Florida; impacts could be as far north as Panama City and as far south as Fort Myers.
Some models forecast landfall by Wednesday afternoon between Tampa and Fort Myers, while other models predict landfall at the end of the week near Panama City or Apalachicola.
Hurricane watches have been issued in Tampa, Fort Myers and Naples.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Sep 26, 5:20 AM EDT
Storm becomes Hurricane Ian
The National Hurricane Center declared Ian a hurricane on Monday, as the storm gained strength on its way toward Florida.
“A Hurricane Watch has been issued along the west coast of Florida from north of Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay,” the center said on Monday.
– ABC News’ Max Golembo
Sep 25, 10:19 PM EDT
NASA to reconvene on whether to take Artemis rocket off launchpad
NASA hasn’t decided whether to leave its Artemis I rocket on the launchpad as it monitors Tropical Storm Ian’s path toward Florida, the agency said Sunday.
The federal space agency’s mission managers will continue discussions on Monday about the next steps as its rocket was delayed again.
On Saturday, NASA scrapped its third planned launch attempt of Artemis I because of weather concerns. Artemis I was scheduled to launch on Sept. 27.
Engineers will decide if the rocket needs to roll back off the launch pad. If they do not roll it back, the next possible launch date is Sunday, Oct. 2.
Tropical Storm Ian is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it nears Florida.
NASA had to scrub the first launch attempt on Aug. 29 because of a faulty temperature sensor and the second attempt on Sept. 3 due to a liquid hydrogen leak.
If the Oct. 2 launch doesn’t happen, the rocket will be taken back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center until the team decides on the next date.
-ABC News’ Gina Sunseri, Mary Kekatos and Nadine El-Bawab
Sep 25, 10:27 PM EDT
Ian strengthens once again, forecast to become hurricane on Monday
Tropical Storm Ian has strengthened with maximum sustained winds at 60 mph and is expected to get stronger throughout the night as atmospheric conditions become more favorable for the storm.
Ian is forecast to become a hurricane on Monday, becoming even more intense likely into Tuesday.
Ian is moving to the northwest to the Northwest at 12 mph, with the center located 160 miles away from Grand Cayman.
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are expected to experience heavy rain, a heavy surge and possible flash flooding over the next 24 hours.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 25, 5:45 PM EDT
Ian weakens slightly but will regain strength overnight
Tropical Storm Ian has weakened slightly, but it is expected to not only strengthen but rapidly intensify overnight as it travels over warm waters in the Caribbean.
As of 5 p.m. ET, the storm system had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph, with the center located about 220 miles away from Grand Cayman.
Dry air ahead of the storm has delayed the strengthening trend so far. But the rapid intensification is expected to occur Monday into Tuesday as the system continues across the northwestern Caribbean and closes in on western Cuba.
Over the next 24 hours, the outer bands will impact Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, bringing rounds of heavy rain, possible flash flooding and storm surge. Later Monday and into Monday night, Ian will be closing in on western Cuba and will likely bring significant wind and storm surge impacts to the region.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Grand Cayman and portions of western Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for portions of western Cuba, as well as the lower Florida Keys, including Key West.
As of 5 p.m., the forecast track was nudged slightly eastward. Overall, the forecast guidance variability and uncertainty will remain high, and the track for where the storm will be from the middle to the end of the week will continue to shift over the next 24 to 48 hours.
(NEW YORK) — Ian’s winds weakened to 65 mph on Thursday morning, downgrading the system to a tropical storm as it moved over central Florida. The storm made landfall on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 29, 7:58 AM EDT
Ian a deadly, ‘life-changing’ storm, Lee County sheriff says
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told ABC News’ Good Morning America that Hurricane Ian was very unpredictable, with officials tracking the storm every minute and they didn’t know where it would hit.
“This is a life-changing event for all of us. We tracked that storm up the coast of Florida, it was very unpredictable,” Marceno said.
He added, “We didn’t know where it would hit. I can tell you it came into Lee County strong and it was slow moving.”
Marceno said there were fatalities, but he didn’t yet know the exact number.
Marceno said they are already assessing the area, but the whole area is “crushed” and people are trapped. Marceno said they have thousands of 911 calls that they are currently answering.
“We still cannot access many of the people that are in need,” Marceno said. “It’s a real, real rough road ahead.”
Sep 29, 7:21 AM EDT
Biden Approves Florida Disaster Declaration
President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Florida residents in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” the White House said.
Sep 29, 6:42 AM EDT
Conditions in Kissimmee and neighboring counties in Florida worsened overnight
Flooding has hit several parts of the Orlando area, including Seminole, Osceola, Lake counties and other neighboring areas.
ABC News’ Orlando affiliate WFTV said that first responders in Kissimmee rescued at least one person from a couple of vehicles that had been partially submerged during a storm surge overnight.
It is unclear how severe the damage is in the area but witnesses reported heavy and sustained wind and rain throughout the overnight hours.
Sep 29, 6:40 AM EDT
Flash flood emergency declared near Orlando
A flash flood emergency was declared in areas north of Orlando as the region was hit by about a foot of rain, the National Weather Service said.
The declaration covered Sanford, Lake Mary and Heathrow, the service said. Nearby Central Orange, Seminole and South Central Volusia were also under flash flood warnings.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” the service said. “Seek higher ground now! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
Parts of the region have seen more than 16 inches of rain within 24 hours, with more than 9 inches in the last six hours, making the storm a 1,000-year flood event in the Orlando area and to the north.
Sep 29, 5:50 AM EDT
Power outages spread to 2.5 million customers
More than 2.5 million customers were without power in Florida at about 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, the state’s providers said.
Sep 29, 5:09 AM EDT
Ian becomes tropical storm with 65 mph winds
Ian’s winds slowed to 65 mph early on Thursday morning, downgrading the system to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said.
“The Hurricane Warnings along the east and west coasts of the Florida peninsula have been changed to Tropical Storm Warnings,” the center said.
Sep 29, 5:20 AM EDT
Biden and DeSantis update schedules for Thursday
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding his next press conference on the latest developments of Hurricane Ian at 8:45 a.m. ET at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. to receive an update on Hurricane Ian at 12 p.m. ET.
While Hurricane Ian is expected to become a tropical storm on Thursday, the storm has battered southwest Florida and has left more than 2 million people without power so far.
Sep 29, 2:15 AM EDT
Ian now 75 mph Category 1 hurricane, expected to become tropical storm later this morning
As of the 2 a.m. ET advisory this morning, Ian continues to maintain its hurricane status.
However, it has weakened to a 75 mph Category 1 hurricane and is expected to become a tropical storm later this morning before emerging off of Florida’s east coast.
Ian’s new track will be issued and updated again at 5 a.m. ET.
Sep 29, 2:09 AM EDT
2.3 million customers without power, Florida providers say
Florida’s electric providers said more than 2.3 million customers were without power at about 2 a.m. local time.
Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest provider, reported more than 1.1 million outages for its 5.7 million customers.
“Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic winds will mean parts of our system will need to be rebuilt — not restored,” the company said on Twitter late Wednesday. “Be prepared for widespread, extended outages as we are assessing the damage. We are already at work restoring power where we can do so safely.”
Sep 29, 12:38 AM EDT
Portions of Fort Myers under up to 4 feet of water
Portions of Fort Myers are under up to 4 feet of water, the city said late Wednesday night, and residents are being told to stay inside as first responders try and assess the damage from Hurricane Ian.
“We need to ensure that the roads are clear so that our first responders and our assistance crews can go out there and help everyone that needs us,” the city wrote on Twitter. “PLEASE, please, please stay inside.”
Sep 29, 12:04 AM EDT
Jacksonville airport cancels all flights Thursday
Jacksonville International Airport has canceled all flights for Thursday and the terminal will be closed.
Sep 28, 11:29 PM EDT
Hurricane Ian now Category 1 storm
Ian continues to gradually weaken as it moves across the Florida Peninsula, now a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds down to 90 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and the center is currently about 70 miles south of Orlando.
While Ian is weakening, it’s still bringing widespread dangerous weather impacts across the state.
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for parts of Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Hardee and Highlands counties in west-central Florida, with other areas experiencing life-threatening flash flooding.
Between 12 to 19 inches of rain has already fallen in the area.
-ABC News’ Daniel Peck
Sep 28, 10:51 PM EDT
Lee County sheriff: Reports of buildings compromised and vehicles floating
As Hurricane Ian makes its way across Florida, counties are assessing the devastation left by the storm.
In a Wednesday night press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said that Ian hit the county extremely hard.
Marceno said he’d gotten reports of compromised homes and businesses and of vehicles floating into the ocean.
Officials said part of Fort Myers, which is in Lee County, was “decimated” by Hurricane Ian.
Marceno said residents are in need, and the county will respond to emergency calls once it’s safe.
-ABC News’ William Gretsky
Sep 28, 10:46 PM EDT
Ian continues to gradually weaken, winds at 100 mph
Hurricane Ian continues to gradually weaken as of 10 p.m. ET, with maximum sustained winds now down to 100 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and its center is currently about 80 miles south of Orlando.
The Florida Peninsula continues to experience dangerous weather impacts, including strong wind gusts, torrential rain and persistent storm surge in some areas.
Areas of relentless heavy rain will continue to bring the threat of dangerous flash flooding in some areas. This threat becomes even more dangerous during overnight hours.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 28, 10:33 PM EDT
At least 30 rescues in Naples Wednesday
There were at least 30 rescues in Naples, Florida, on Wednesday amid ongoing rescue operations, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.
“Our East Naples deputies did 30 rescue missions today. We are still collecting numbers from other areas. We are still rescuing people,” the office wrote on Facebook.
“Water is everywhere. It will recede. There will be damage,” it added. “Tomorrow we will have a better idea of the extent of damage. We will keep you updated.”
Sep 28, 10:26 PM EDT
More than 2 million customers without power in Florida
The number of customers without power in Florida has topped 2 million, as Hurricane Ian continues making its way across the state.
Most of the outages are in the southern Gulf side of the state, primarily in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The outages are moving east as the storm moves across the state.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 28, 9:28 PM EDT
Jacksonville mayor announces closure of 3 major beaches
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Wednesday evening that the city is closing Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches ahead of Hurricane Ian’s impact on the area.
“We will reopen as soon as it’s safe for citizens,” Curry tweeted.
Sep 28, 9:26 PM EDT
Over 1.9 million customers without power in Florida
The number of customers without power in Florida has topped 1.9 million, as Hurricane Ian continues making its way across the state.
Most of the outages are in the southern Gulf side of the state, primarily in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The outages are moving east as the storm moves across the state.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 28, 9:13 PM EDT
Ian downgraded to Category 2 hurricane
Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm as of a 9 p.m. ET update, with winds now at 105 mph.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 8:30 PM EDT
Extreme wind warning issued for central Florida counties
Hurricane Ian remains a Category 3 storm as of an 8 p.m. ET update, with winds dropping to 115 mph.
The National Weather Service issued a new Extreme Wind Warning for Highlands, Hardee, Charlotte, Polk and DeSoto Counties in central Florida until 9:30 p.m. ET.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 7:31 PM EDT
‘We hear your calls’: Sheriff
Lee County has received more than double the number of 911 calls it typically receives amid Hurricane Ian, according to Sheriff Carmine Marceno, as first responders have suspended their emergency response during the major storm.
“We hear your calls and are aware that Hurricane Ian was a powerful and devastating weather event,” Marceno said in a social media post Wednesday evening. “We want to get to you. We want to save you. As soon as safely possible, our assets are ready to deploy to come to your aide.”
Ben Abes, Lee County’s public safety director, said current conditions, including flooding, make it “impossible” for first responders to go out. He said the county is tracking 911 calls and prioritizing them once first responders are able to act after the hurricane passes.
“We are aware of a number of calls of people who are stranded due to high water,” he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening. “This is a scary situation. We urge you not to panic.”
Lee County, which is home to hard-hit Fort Myers, Sanibel and Bonita Beach, issued a countywide curfew Wednesday evening due to the storm that is in effect until further notice.
Sep 28, 7:15 PM EDT
Ian downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane
Hurricane Ian has weakened to a Category 3 storm hours after making landfall near Fort Myers as a major hurricane.
While the strength of the storm has diminished slightly, Ian is still wreaking havoc on the Sunshine State as a devastating storm.
The highest wind gust measured at 132 mph at Port Charlotte, and maximum sustained winds are currently at 125 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 7 p.m. advisory.
Water levels in Fort Myers have been reported at more than 7 feet, the advisory states.
-ABC News’ Riley Winch
Sep 28, 7:10 PM EDT
Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach ‘decimated’ by Ian, local officials say
Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach have been “decimated” by Ian after the major hurricane made landfall there.
About 75% of Lee County is without power, and several people are stranded due to high water, officials from Lee County Emergency Management announced during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
A curfew in Lee County was implemented beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Forecasts predict that it will not be safe to venture outside in the region until 5 a.m. on Thursday, officials said.
The number of injuries or fatalities is not yet clear, officials said, adding that the recovery efforts will take months.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Sep 28, 6:38 PM EDT
Wind gusts in eye wall measure at 104 mph
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration station in Venice Beach, Florida, has measured wind gusts of 104 mph within the northern eye wall of Hurricane Ian, according to the 6 p.m. storm advisory.
The storm is currently battering the Florida peninsula with catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds measured at 130 mph, and the storm system has begun churning even slower at 8 mph north-northeast — toward the east coast of the state.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
Sep 28, 6:33 PM EDT
‘Massive mobilization’ of utility trucks on the way to Florida, governor says
A caravan of utility trucks is making its way from several states toward the parts of Florida most battered by Hurricane Ian to restore power after the worst of the storm has passed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a massive, massive mobilization,” DeSantis said, adding that workers are coming from other southern states accustomed to hurricane cleanup, such as Texas and Louisiana.
More nearly 1.5 million customers in Florida were without power Wednesday as Ian made landfall near Fort Myers.
Ian continued to batter a large swath of Florida at 6:15 p.m. ET, with life-threatening storm surge all along the southwest coast — up to 12 feet in some places, DeSantis said.
Downtown Naples was reportedly completely flooded due to record storm surge, and while there were also reports of structural damage in Lee County, DeSantis said.
“This was a top five hurricane to ever hit the Florida peninsula,” the governor said.
DeSantis said that devastating inland flooding was inundating much of the regions experiencing hurricane conditions, as well.
DeSantis has declared a major disaster in the state.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Sep 28, 6:13 PM EDT
Fort Myers, Naples issue curfews
The city of Fort Myers in southwest Florida has issued a citywide curfew “to protect and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of residents, visitors and first responders.” The curfew started at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be in effect for the next 48 hours.
Down the coast, the city of Naples also issued a citywide curfew earlier Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately until further notice.
Naples reported record storm surge Wednesday morning, before Ian made landfall.
Sep 28, 4:54 PM EDT
Ian makes 2nd landfall on Florida mainland
Hurricane Ian made a second landfall just south of Punta Gorda with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph.
Ian made initial landfall on a barrier island near Cayo Costa just after 3 p.m.
Sep 28, 4:48 PM EDT
South Carolina, North Carolina issue states of emergency
The governors of South Carolina and North Carolina each issued states of emergency on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Ian’s arrival.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said no evacuations or school closures have been ordered yet.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said the decision would help first responders and farmers and protect customers from price gouging.
The storm is expected to cross Florida and enter the Atlantic before making landfall again along the South Carolina coast over the weekend.
Sep 28, 4:13 PM EDT
Over 1 million power outages
Over 1 million Florida customers were without power on Wednesday just after Ian made landfall.
The majority of outages were along the west coast in Sarasota, Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.
Sep 28, 3:12 PM EDT
Ian makes landfall as Category 4
Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s west coast Wednesday afternoon as a powerful Category 4 storm, slamming the coastline with powerful 150 mph winds and dangerous storm surge.
Landfall was at about 3:05 p.m. ET near Cayo Costa, an island off the coast of Fort Myers.
For southwest Florida, Ian “will probably be the big one that they always remember,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
The governor said Ian will likely stay in the state until Thursday, exiting from Daytona Beach.
Sep 28, 2:07 PM EDT
Biden to visit FEMA on Thursday
President Joe Biden will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to receive an update on Hurricane Ian, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“We have deployed significant federal resources to the region to help prepare for the hurricane,” Jean-Pierre said at Wednesday’s press briefing. “We have more than 1,300 federal response workers on the ground in Florida. … Three-hundred Army Corps personnel are on the ground to support power and fuel assessments. Three-hundred ambulances are supporting local officials, and multiple federal disaster medical assistance teams are deployed to Florida and Georgia.”
Sarasota County, Florida, officials announced emergency crews will no longer respond to calls due to Hurricane Ian.
In Charlotte County, just north of Fort Myers, emergency response calls for fire and EMS service will also be suspended.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office added, “911 will still be operational and calls will be triaged for response as soon as weather condition permit.”
Sep 28, 1:25 PM EDT
Naples issues curfew
The city of Naples, in southwest Florida, has issued a citywide curfew, effective immediately until further notice.
Naples has reported a wind gust of 112 mph as Hurricane Ian inches closer to shore.
Sep 28, 1:03 PM EDT
Extreme wind warning issued
An extreme wind warning has been issued near Fort Myers as Hurricane Ian nears.
Naples has reported a wind gust of 112 mph.
Fort Myers resident Debbie Levenson and her husband chose not to evacuate for Hurricane Ian and are staying put at home.
“Hurricanes are a concern, but I don’t freak out about it. You do what you have to do. You get your supplies, make sure you have flashlights, do your laundry ahead of time in case you lose power,” she told ABC News. “We bought bottled water and wine. We put gas in the car. The store shelves were not empty.”
“We are concerned with local flooding, but we drained the pool and are keeping an eye on the roads,” she continued. “Most of the neighborhood has stayed. Neighbors only left if they had small children or had a medical reason.”
Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, warned people sheltering in place to not venture out once the storm passes over.
“Don’t go out there. It’s so dangerous to be out there. So even if you see the water receding, it’s not the time to go out,” he said.
-ABC News’ Morgan Korn and Max Golembo
Sep 28, 12:03 PM EDT
Ian nears record-breaking winds
Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 with 155 mph winds, is nearing record-breaking wind levels.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Sep 28, 11:53 AM EDT
Naples sees record storm surge
Naples, Florida, reached a new record-high storm surge of 4.8 feet Wednesday morning — and the water continues to rise.
This beats the record of 4.25 feet reached during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, warned Wednesday, “This is going to be a storm we talk about for many years to come — historic event.”
Sep 28, 11:13 AM EDT
Ian’s eyewall moving on shore
Hurricane Ian’s eyewall is moving on shore.
The powerful Category 4 storm is set to bring catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding.
Sanibel Island has reported sustained winds of 58 mph with a wind gust reaching 75 mph.
Sep 28, 10:45 AM EDT
Over 2,000 flights canceled
The airports in Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
Over 2,000 flights have been canceled within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday.
Another 1,600 flights are already cancelled for Thursday.
The Tampa International Airport will remain closed through Thursday.
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway and Sam Sweeney
Sep 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Over 172,000 power outages
Over 172,000 Florida customers are without power on Wednesday morning as Ian nears.
Sep 28, 9:09 AM EDT
18 feet of storm surge possible
Up to 18 feet of dangerous storm surge is forecast along Florida’s Southwest coast, including Englewood, Bonita Beach and Charlotte Harbor.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday that her biggest concern with Ian was storm surge.
“In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge,” she noted.
Sep 28, 8:32 AM EDT
Gov.: Treat storm like tornado approaching your home
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Wednesday morning that Ian could potentially make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane.
“This is a powerful storm that should be treated like you would treat a tornado approaching your home,” he said. “This one has just strengthened and strengthened, and it is the real deal. So, it is going to do a lot of damage, so people should be prepared for that.”
More than 200 shelters are open in South Florida, he said.
Twenty-six states, including New York and New Jersey, have sent support to Florida, he said.
Sep 28, 7:41 AM EDT
Winds near Category 5 as storm approaches Florida
Hurricane Ian approached Category 5 status at about 6:30 a.m. ET, with its winds topping out at 155 mph.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Severe Category 5 hurricanes have winds above 157 mph.
“Rapidly intensifying Ian forecast to cause catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the National Hurricane Center said at 7 a.m. ET.
Sep 28, 7:23 AM EDT
16 feet of storm surge possible
A whopping 16 feet of storm surge is possible around Fort Myers.
Up to 11 feet of storm surge is forecast for Naples while a maximum of 10 feet is expected for the Sarasota area.
“Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday. “In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge.”
Sep 28, 7:15 AM EDT
Nearly 2,000 flights canceled
Florida’s airports are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
There are at least 1,903 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the United States for Wednesday.
Sep 28, 5:13 AM EDT
Ian strengthens to Category 4 hurricane
Hurricane Ian strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, as its winds climbed to 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is the first Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Rita in September 2005.
Sep 28, 3:06 AM EDT
Ian moves closer to Florida’s west coast
Hurricane Ian was moving closer to Florida’s west coast, the National Hurricane Center said in its 2 a.m. ET update on the storm’s position.
The eye of the Category 3 storm was about 95 miles southwest of Naples, Florida, and was moving north-northeast at about 10 mph, officials said.
“On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to approach the west coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area this morning, and move onshore later today,” the update said.
Officials said the storm was expected to pass over central Florida on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, before emerging over the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday.
The hurricane was “expected to cause life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the update said.
Sep 28, 2:28 AM EDT
Miami-Dade County suspends transit service
Officials in Miami-Dade County suspended transit services at 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday, as Hurricane Ian approached Florida.
Florida’s most populous county halted its Metrobus, Metrorail, Metromover and Special Transportation Services until further notice, officials said in a news release.
Sep 28, 12:24 AM EDT
DeSantis tells Floridians time to evacuate is ‘now’
Hurricane Ian is fast approaching Florida, and the time to leave is “now” if you’re in an evacuation zone, Gov. Ron DeSantis said late Tuesday during a press conference.
“Your time to evacuate is coming to an end. You need to evacuate now. You’re going to start feeling major impacts of this storm relatively soon,” the governor said. “Now is the time to do it, and now is the time to act.”
As of Tuesday night, about 8,000 people were without power in the southern part of Florida, officials said.
Conditions are expected to continue to deteriorate across central and south Florida, with landfall currently forecast sometime between Wednesday afternoon and early evening.
Elsewhere, a tropical storm warning is now in effect along the coast of Georgia and up to Charleston, S.C.
Sep 27, 10:31 PM EDT
Biden spoke with DeSantis, White House press secretary says
President Joe Biden spoke Tuesday night with Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival “to discuss the steps the federal government is taking to help Florida prepare,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted.
“The president and the governor committed to continued close coordination,” Jean-Pierre wrote.
Sep 27, 10:18 PM EDT
Cuba without power in wake of Hurricane Ian: Reports
Cuba has lost power after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the island Tuesday, according to reports.
There is “0 electricity generation” in the country, according to a National Electric System update.
“This complicated condition is also associated with complex weather conditions that have affected the SEN infrastructure,” the update said.
Sep 27, 8:33 PM EDT
Some Florida residents begin evacuating ahead of Ian’s landfall
Some Florida residents have begun evacuating their homes as Hurricane Ian approaches.
People are seeking shelter ahead of the storm, which is currently forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Ian remains a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as of Tuesday might.
It’s moving north-northeast at 10 mph and the center is located about 180 miles south-southwest of Punta Gorda, Florida.
There have been multiple tornado warnings in the area over the past few hours. A large tornado was reported on the ground in southern Broward County, near Davie, at around 7:30 p.m. ET.
Sep 27, 7:34 PM EDT
Satellite images show lightning-packed eye of Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian is barreling toward Florida, and satellite images show the eye of the storm packed with lightning as it strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm is currently forecast to make landfall on Florida’s western coast on Wednesday between 1 and 6 p.m., somewhere between Port Charlotte and Sarasota.
Sep 27, 6:31 PM EDT
DeSantis on Hurricane Ian: ‘This thing is the real deal, it is a major, major storm’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has urged Floridians to take Hurricane Ian seriously as the powerful storm heads to the state.
“You don’t get a mulligan when your personal safety is at risk,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday.
About 2.5 million people in the state are under evacuation orders.
“This thing is the real deal. It is a major, major storm,” DeSantis said.
-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds
Sep 27, 5:43 PM EDT
5,000 Florida Guardsmen activated and prepping for Hurricane Ian
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen to armories across the state in preparation for Hurricane Ian, which is forecast to hit the state on Wednesday.
Roughly 2,000 National Guard members from neighboring states such as Tennessee are also being activated to assist, the Florida National Guard said in a statement Tuesday.
“The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more,” the statement said.
The U.S. Navy has authorized non-essential personnel in various Florida counties to evacuate.
-ABC News’ Matt Seyler
Sep 27, 5:12 PM EDT
Landfall forecast for Wednesday afternoon or evening
Hurricane Ian, barreling north toward Florida with 120 mph winds, is now located about 230 miles away from Sarasota.
Ian is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon or early evening.
Ian’s outer bands are already hitting South Florida, bringing a threat of heavy downpours, strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and even tornadoes. A tornado watch is in effect for South Florida until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 27, 4:51 PM EDT
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando to close
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will close Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm.
Sep 27, 3:56 PM EDT
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency.
Sep 27, 2:57 PM EDT
Ian, a Category 3, expected to strengthen more
Ian, now a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds, has strengthened on Tuesday and is forecast to strengthen even more into the night.
People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022, during the…Read More
The latest track shows Ian making landfall on Wednesday, striking the west coast of Florida between Tampa and Fort Myers, bringing flooding and damaging winds.
Hurricane warnings are in effect from Tampa to Fort Myers and storm surge warnings are in effect for a large portion of Florida’s west coast.
There is also a risk for tornadoes in Florida Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sep 27, 2:34 PM EDT
FEMA: ‘Do not underestimate’ Ian
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday, “Floridians are going to experience the impacts from the storm for a very long time.”
“Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge,” Criswell said. “In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge. So therefore, if people are told to evacuate by their local officials, please listen to them. The decision you choose to make may mean the difference between life and death.”
President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged residents to “evacuate when ordered.”
Biden said he spoke to the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Tuesday morning and told them to “contact me directly” for “whatever they need.”
Criswell said a search and rescue coordination group has been activated, including members from FEMA’s urban search and rescue teams, the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior.
The Red Cross has established 29 shelters and is prepared to open 60 more shelters if needed, she said.
Criswell stressed, “To those who may be watching at home, get ready and do not underestimate the potential that the storm can bring.”
The Orlando International Airport said operations will stop at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday while Tampa International Airport is suspending flights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is closing at 8 p.m. Tuesday while the Melbourne Orlando International Airport will stop flights at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Sep 27, 12:25 PM EDT
Orlando’s airport closing Wednesday
The Orlando International Airport said operations will stop at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday while Tampa International Airport is suspending flights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sep 27, 12:03 PM EDT
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Sep 27, 11:13 AM EDT
Landfall in Florida forecast for Wednesday afternoon
Hurricane Ian’s track is moving south, with landfall forecast for late afternoon Wednesday between Tampa and Fort Myers as a Category 3 storm.
The storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay has dropped from 10 feet to 8 feet. But now the predicted storm surge for Fort Myers has increased and could be as high as 12 feet.
Sep 27, 9:41 AM EDT
Tornado watches issued in South Florida
Tornado watches have been issued in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples and Key West as Hurricane Ian approaches.
The watches are in effect until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sep 27, 8:25 AM EDT
Latest forecast shows landfall in Tampa Bay area
The forecast has shifted significantly east, now with landfall expected in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night into early Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane.
This would mark Tampa Bay’s first direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921.
Slow-moving Ian is expected to drop more than 15 inches of rain from Tampa to Orlando.
Major flooding is possible in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Sep 27, 5:00 AM EDT
Hurricane Ian makes landfall after strengthening to major storm
Hurricane Ian made landfall over western Cuba early on Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
“Satellite and radar data indicate that the center of Ian has made landfall just southwest of the town of La Coloma in the Pinar Del Rio Province of Cuba at 4:30 a.m.,” the center said.
Ian’s winds at landfall were estimated at a maximum of 125 mph, making the storm a Category 3 hurricane.
Sep 26, 11:35 PM EDT
Ian strengthens as winds grow to 105 mph
Hurricane Ian continued to intensify Monday night, with maximum sustained winds now at 105 mph.
The hurricane is about 105 miles east-southeast of the western tip of Cuba, which is expected to see significant wind and storm surge impacts soon.
The storm is expected to become a major hurricane overnight or Tuesday morning.
Sep 26, 9:47 PM EDT
Tampa International Airport to close as Ian approaches
Tampa International Airport will stop all operations starting 5 p.m. Tuesday to secure its airfield and terminals ahead of Hurricane Ian’s expected landfall later this week.
Sep 26, 7:14 PM EDT
HHS secretary declares public health emergency for Florida
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency for the state of Florida.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra made the declaration Monday to address the possible health impacts for Florida residents once Hurricane Ian nears the state.
“We will do all we can to assist Florida officials with responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Ian,” Becerra said in a statement. “We are working closely with state, local, and tribal health authorities, as well as our federal partners, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
HHS has pre-positioned two 15-person health and medical task force teams from its National Disaster Medical System, as well as a 13-person incident management team and two pharmacists to assist with the response in Florida.
“These teams are highly trained and ready to respond if, when, and where they may be needed following the storm,” HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Saturday. That declaration was approved by President Joe Biden on Sunday.
Sep 26, 6:59 PM EDT
Hurricane warning issued for Tampa Bay area
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the Tampa Bay area just after its 5 p.m. advisory for Hurricane Ian.
The hurricane, currently a Category 2, is forecast to strengthen before it slows down as it approaches land. It is then expected to hover off the coast of Tampa from Wednesday into Thursday before making landfall.
A hurricane watch has also been issued for Big Bend, Florida, near the panhandle, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for much of southwest Florida.
Tropical storm watches are in effect for Orlando toward the northeast portion of the state, from Fort Pierce to Jacksonville.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
Sep 26, 6:21 PM EDT
Florida utility company to use remote grid technology to restore power during the storm
The emergency response from Florida Power & Light is “well underway” as Hurricane Ian approaches, the utility company announced Monday.
FP&L has mobilized 13,000 workers, as well as supplies, to ensure the response is conducted as safely and quickly as possible after the storm hits, according to a press release.
As the hurricane begins to bear down on the region, FP&L will use remote grid technology to restore power remotely during the storm, as long as it is safe to do so, the company said. After the storm passes and winds drop below 35 mph, FP&L will continue restoration and conduct damage assessments with field crews.
The utility company also urged customers to make preparations and take safety precautions.
“As this storm approaches Florida, we know our customers are counting on us and we are determined to meet this challenge,” said Eric Silagy, chairman and CEO of FP&L in a statement. “We are mobilizing and pre-positioning our restoration workforce, so these brave men and women can quickly start working as soon as it is safe to do so.”
-ABC News’ Matt Foster
Sep 26, 3:58 PM EDT
Florida State University cancels classes
Florida State University has canceled classes Tuesday through Friday as Hurricane Ian approaches.
“The cancellation of classes on Tuesday is to allow students to travel safely out of the area if they so choose,” the university said. “Students who choose to stay in Tallahassee will be advised via the FSU Alert system to follow a ‘shelter in place’ protocol during the storm.”
Sep 26, 3:38 PM EDT
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to close
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday due to the mandatory evacuation orders in Pinellas County. The airport will stay closed until the evacuation order is lifted.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Some residents of Sarasota County and Manatee County are also under mandatory evacuation orders.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Sep 26, 2:01 PM EDT
7,000 National Guardsmen deployed to help
Five-thousand members of the Florida National Guard have been activated to help during Hurricane Ian. Another 2,000 guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also coming to help, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Nearly 300 ambulances and support vehicles are being deployed to areas bracing for Ian’s landfall, DeSantis said.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Sep 26, 12:43 PM EDT
Tampa may shut down airport
In Tampa, where residents are bracing for 10 feet of dangerous storm surge, the Tampa International Airport may shut down parts of its airfield and facilities over the next day or two, airport officials announced.
The airport is in an evacuation zone, but because it’s critical infrastructure, it’s “exempt from the storm evacuation order and will stay open until a closure is necessary,” airport officials said in a statement.
It’s been 101 years since Tampa last had a direct hit from a major hurricane.
Sep 26, 11:36 AM EDT
Sarasota, Tampa-area schools close
Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa will be closed Monday through Thursday due to the storm. Instead, some schools will operate as storm shelters, the district said.
In Sarasota County, schools will be closed on Tuesday.
Sep 26, 11:34 AM EDT
First mandatory evacuation orders issued
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal parts of Hillsborough County, Florida. Over 300,000 people are expected to evacuate, officials announced Monday, with emergency shelters opening at 2 p.m. Monday.
Hillsborough County could face up to 15 feet of storm surge and 30 straight hours of tropical storm force winds, Florida Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise added, “We did not make this decision easily, but the storm poses a serious threat, and we must do everything we can protect our residents.”
Sep 26, 10:43 AM EDT
NASA rolling Artemis rocket back off launch pad
NASA said it will roll the Artemis I rocket off the launch pad and back to the vehicle assembly building on Monday night due to the storm.
“Managers met Monday morning and made the decision based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian, after additional data gathered overnight did not show improving expected conditions for the Kennedy Space Center area,” NASA said in a statement. “The decision allows time for employees to address the needs of their families and protect the integrated rocket and spacecraft system.”
Sep 26, 10:08 AM EDT
Floodwater safety tips to remember
As Ian approaches, here are a few commonsense strategies to help avoid unnecessary risk from floodwaters:
–Before flooding, look up your neighborhood’s flood zone and determine if your home or business is prone to flooding. Come up with an evacuation plan and make sure your car has a full tank of gas. Stock up on non-perishable foods.
–After flooding, ensure your drinking water is sanitized and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with floodwaters. Disinfect objects that have come into contact with floodwater before offering them to children or toddlers.
–Try to avoid exposure with floodwaters for long periods of time to prevent physical injury. Wear waterproof boots if you have them. Do not attempt to drive over flooded streets as it could damage the car and strand passengers.
Sep 26, 10:01 AM EDT
White House closely monitoring Ian
The White House is “closely monitoring” the hurricane, a White House official told ABC News.
President Joe Biden approved Florida’s emergency assistance request this weekend “as soon as he received it,” the official said.
“He also directed his team to surge Federal assistance to the region well before landfall,” the official said. “FEMA has already deployed staff there and pre-positioned food, water, and generators.”
Biden was scheduled to travel to Florida on Monday but that trip has been postponed due to the storm.
-ABC News’ Karen Travers
Sep 26, 8:23 AM EDT
Hurricane watch issued for Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples
Ian is expected to become major Category 3 hurricane Monday night with winds of 115 mph.
As Ian passes Cuba, it’s expected to rapidly intensify, becoming a Category 4 hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Cuba and the Cayman Islands.
Models are split when it comes to Ian’s landfall in Florida; impacts could be as far north as Panama City and as far south as Fort Myers.
Some models forecast landfall by Wednesday afternoon between Tampa and Fort Myers, while other models predict landfall at the end of the week near Panama City or Apalachicola.
Hurricane watches have been issued in Tampa, Fort Myers and Naples.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Sep 26, 5:20 AM EDT
Storm becomes Hurricane Ian
The National Hurricane Center declared Ian a hurricane on Monday, as the storm gained strength on its way toward Florida.
“A Hurricane Watch has been issued along the west coast of Florida from north of Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay,” the center said on Monday.
– ABC News’ Max Golembo
Sep 25, 10:19 PM EDT
NASA to reconvene on whether to take Artemis rocket off launchpad
NASA hasn’t decided whether to leave its Artemis I rocket on the launchpad as it monitors Tropical Storm Ian’s path toward Florida, the agency said Sunday.
The federal space agency’s mission managers will continue discussions on Monday about the next steps as its rocket was delayed again.
On Saturday, NASA scrapped its third planned launch attempt of Artemis I because of weather concerns. Artemis I was scheduled to launch on Sept. 27.
Engineers will decide if the rocket needs to roll back off the launch pad. If they do not roll it back, the next possible launch date is Sunday, Oct. 2.
Tropical Storm Ian is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it nears Florida.
NASA had to scrub the first launch attempt on Aug. 29 because of a faulty temperature sensor and the second attempt on Sept. 3 due to a liquid hydrogen leak.
If the Oct. 2 launch doesn’t happen, the rocket will be taken back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center until the team decides on the next date.
-ABC News’ Gina Sunseri, Mary Kekatos and Nadine El-Bawab
Sep 25, 10:27 PM EDT
Ian strengthens once again, forecast to become hurricane on Monday
Tropical Storm Ian has strengthened with maximum sustained winds at 60 mph and is expected to get stronger throughout the night as atmospheric conditions become more favorable for the storm.
Ian is forecast to become a hurricane on Monday, becoming even more intense likely into Tuesday.
Ian is moving to the northwest to the Northwest at 12 mph, with the center located 160 miles away from Grand Cayman.
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are expected to experience heavy rain, a heavy surge and possible flash flooding over the next 24 hours.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Sep 25, 5:45 PM EDT
Ian weakens slightly but will regain strength overnight
Tropical Storm Ian has weakened slightly, but it is expected to not only strengthen but rapidly intensify overnight as it travels over warm waters in the Caribbean.
As of 5 p.m. ET, the storm system had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph, with the center located about 220 miles away from Grand Cayman.
Dry air ahead of the storm has delayed the strengthening trend so far. But the rapid intensification is expected to occur Monday into Tuesday as the system continues across the northwestern Caribbean and closes in on western Cuba.
Over the next 24 hours, the outer bands will impact Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, bringing rounds of heavy rain, possible flash flooding and storm surge. Later Monday and into Monday night, Ian will be closing in on western Cuba and will likely bring significant wind and storm surge impacts to the region.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Grand Cayman and portions of western Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for portions of western Cuba, as well as the lower Florida Keys, including Key West.
As of 5 p.m., the forecast track was nudged slightly eastward. Overall, the forecast guidance variability and uncertainty will remain high, and the track for where the storm will be from the middle to the end of the week will continue to shift over the next 24 to 48 hours.
(NEW YORK) — More than six months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion into neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout eastern and southern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose forces began an offensive in August, has vowed to take back all Russian-occupied territory. But Putin in September announced a mobilization of reservists, which is expected to call up as many as 300,000 additional troops.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 29, 7:05 AM EDT
Putin to formally annex occupied Ukraine territories on Friday
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a signing ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday to formally annex the areas of Ukraine that Russia has occupied, his spokesman has said.
The ceremony will be to sign “treaties of accession” with the four regions created by Russia’s occupation forces — the two self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and the Zaporozhzhia and Kherson regions.
Putin will also deliver a major speech to lawmakers gathered there, his spokesman said.
It is a major moment in the war — another no-going-back moment for Putin. In reality, none of the areas being annexed are under full control of Russia right now as all are seeing fighting and facing Ukrainian efforts to re-take them.
If Putin attempts to annex the occupied regions, it will be one of the most egregious violations of international law in Europe since World War II.
Sep 28, 12:21 PM EDT
State department advises US citizens to leave Russia
American citizens are being advised by the U.S. State Department to get out of Russia immediately.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has issued an alert, saying “severe limitations” could prevent it from assisting U.S. citizens still in the country.
“If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible,” the alert said.
Noting that Russia has begun a military mobilization against Ukraine, U.S. Embassy officials warned Americans with dual Russian citizenship that they could get drafted by Russia.
“Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service,” the alert said.
The alert also advised U.S. citizens to avoid political or social protests in Russia, saying Americans have been arrested in Russia for participating in demonstrations.
“We remind U.S. citizens that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia,” the alert said.
Sep 27, 3:56 PM EDT
66,000 Russians cross European borders since Putin announced draft
Roughly 66,000 Russian citizens have fled across borders into European countries amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement last week of a military mobilization against Ukraine, the European Border and Coast Guard said Tuesday.
The number of Russian citizens pouring into Europe was up 30% compared to last week, according to the agency which also goes by the name Frontex.
Most of the Russian citizens are entering the European Union through Finnish and Estonian border crossing points, Frontex said on Twitter.
Putin announced on Sept. 21 that he is ordering the mobilization of 300,000 recruits to fight in Ukraine, prompting widespread protests and clashes with police across Russia.
In recent days, photos have emerged of huge traffic jams at border crossings. On Monday, the wait at the border between Russia and Georgia was estimated to be 40 to 50 hours, according to the independent Russian news outlet The Insider.
Sep 27, 1:56 PM EDT
‘Sham referenda’ in Russia-occupied Ukraine going Kremlin’s way
Partial results from what Ukraine and its Western allies have called “sham” referendums in four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine show that more than 96% of voters favor becoming part of Russia, according to the state-owned Russian news agency RIA.
Voting has taken place over five days in the four areas — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
The early results showed that 97.93% of voters in the Luhansk People’s Republic favored joining the Russian Federation, according to the data. In Donetsk People’s Republic, early results showed 98.69% favored joining the Russian Federation.
In Zaporizhzhia, 97.81% of voters cast ballots to join Russia and 96.75% of voters in Kherson also favored joining Russia, according to the data.
President Joe Biden and other Group of 7 leaders condemned Russia’s “sham referenda” in occupied Ukrainian territories, calling it a Russian attempt to “create a phony pretext for changing the status of Ukrainian sovereign territory.”
Sep 27, 12:42 PM EDT
Leaks in major gas pipeline between Russia and Europe investigated following blasts
Leaks in a major gas pipeline running from Russia to Europe under the Baltic Sea have been detected after the Swedish seismic network said it registered blasts near the pipeline.
The leaks in the Nord Stream pipeline were first reported on Monday by Denmark’s maritime authority and photos released by Denmark’s Defense Command showed what appeared to be gas bubbling up to the surface.
The operator of the pipeline said the leaks were detected southeast of the Danish island Bornholm.
The underwater pipeline runs about 764 miles from Russia to Germany.
While the cause of the leaks remains under investigation, unconfirmed report reports from Germany allege authorities suspect sabotage.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of causing leaks in a “terrorist attack,” according to the BBC.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak alleged the damage to the pipeline was an “an act of aggression” by Russia toward the European Union.
Sep 27, 12:18 PM EDT
Aid to Ukraine detailed in bill to keep US government running
A continuing resolution to keep the federal government running through Dec. 16 was released by Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday morning and breaks down how $12.3 billion in the package earmarked for Ukraine will be spent.
For the first time, Congressional lawmakers, at the insistence of GOP members, will require U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to provide a report “on the execution of funds for defense articles and services provided Ukraine,” according to a summary of the resolution.
Both houses of Congress must vote on the resolution by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.
The resolution includes $3 billion for “security assistance” for Ukraine and authorizes an additional $3.7 billion in weapons for President Joe Biden to drawdown from U.S. stocks to support Ukraine’s military. It will also authorize $35 million to respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine in an apparent reply to Russian President Valdimir Putin’s thinly-veiled nuclear threats in a televised speech last week.
In addition, the resolution calls for $2.4 billion to replenish U.S. stocks of weapons already sent to Ukraine and to provide Ukraine.
The new assistance for Ukraine would be on top of the $53 billion Congress has already approved through two previous bills.
-ABC News’ Lauren Minore and Trish Turner
Sep 26, 1:29 PM EDT
40- to 50-hour wait as people attempt to flee Russia into Georgia to avoid military draft: Report
A massive line of traffic continued to grow Monday at the border between Russia and Georgia as huge numbers of Russians seek to flee the country amid fears they will be drafted to fight in the war in Ukraine.
Drone video, posted on Twitter by the independent Russian news outlet The Insider, showed hundreds of cars and trucks backed up for miles at the Verkhny Lars border between the two countries.
The Insider reported that people are waiting 40-50 hours in the line to cross.
Tens of thousands of Russians are trying to flee the country following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement last week of a military mobilization of 300,000 more troops against Ukraine. Besides the Russia-Georgia border, large crowds of people attempting to leave the country have been packing border crossings into Finland, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and others.
Sep 26, 12:08 PM EDT
New clashes break out in Russia between police and protesters over Kremlin’s mobilization
More clashes broke out Monday in Russia’s Dagestan capital city, as police tried to disperse hundreds of protesters demonstrating against the Kremlin’s military mobilization of men to fight in Ukraine.
Videos circulating on social media showed scuffles between protesters and police in Makhachkala.
On Sunday, there were violent clashes in Dagestan, with police firing warning shots and people angrily shouting chants against the mobilization.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last week that he is mobilizing 300,000 more troops against Ukraine.
The announcement sparked major protests in Moscow and at least 30 other cities across Russia over the weekend. At least 17 military recruitment offices have been targeted with arson attacks. A man was detained by authorities on Monday after he allegedly opened fire on a recruitment center in Siberia, severely injuring a recruitment officer.
Sep 26, 11:01 AM EDT
US sending Ukraine $457.5 million in civilian security assistance
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday that the U.S. will give Ukraine another $457.5 million in civilian security assistance to bolster the efforts of Ukrainian law enforcement and criminal justice agencies “to improve their operational capacity and save lives.”
Blinken said some of the funds will also go toward supporting efforts to “document, investigate, and prosecute atrocities perpetrated by Russia’s forces.” He said that since December, the United States has pledged more than $645 million toward supporting Ukrainian law enforcement.
Blinken’s announcement follows a U.N.-led investigation that found Russian troops had committed war crimes in occupied areas of Ukraine, including the rape, torture and imprisonment of children.
Sep 26, 10:14 AM EDT
Ukrainian first lady ‘worried’ about Russian mobilization
In a new interview, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenka told ABC News that recent developments in the war are upsetting, saying this is not an “easy period” for the people of Ukraine.
“When the whole world wants this war to be over, they continue to recruit soldiers for their army,” said Zelenska, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement last week that he is mobilizing 300,000 more troops against Ukraine. “Of course, we are concerned about this. We are worried and this is a bad sign for the whole world.”
Zelenska, who spoke with ABC News’ Amy Robach through a translator, said Ukrainians will continue to persevere in the face of conflict.
“The main difference between our army and the Russian army is that we really know what we are fighting for,” she said.
Zelenska attended the United Nations General Assembly in-person in New York City, where she spoke to ABC News about the U.N.’s recent finding that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine by Russian troops. An appointed panel of independent legal experts reported that Russian soldiers have “raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined” children in Ukraine, among other crimes.
“On the one hand, it’s horrible news, but it’s the news that we knew about already,” she said. “On the other hand, it’s great news that the whole world can finally see that this is a heinous crime, that this war is against humanity and humankind.”
Sep 26, 5:40 AM EDT
Man opens fire at Russian military enlistment office
A man has opened fire at a military enlistment office in eastern Russia, severely injuring a recruitment officer there.
An apparent video of the shooting was circulating online, showing a man shooting the officer at a podium in the officer in the city of Irkutsk.
Irkutsk’s regional governor confirmed the shooting, naming the officer injured as Alexander V. Yeliseyev and saying he is in intensive care in a critical condition.
The alleged shooter has been detained, according to the governor.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced a high-level shake-up in its military leadership amid reports Russian forces are struggling in the war against Ukraine.
The defense ministry said Saturday that Col. Gen. Mikhail Y. Mizintsev has been promoted to deputy defense minister overseeing logistics, replacing four-star Gen. Dmitri V. Bulgakov, 67, who had held the post since 2008.
Bulgakov was relieved of his position and is expected to be transferred “to another job,” the Defense Ministry statement said.
The New York Times reported that Mizintsev — whom Western officials dubbed the “butcher of Mariupol” after alleged atrocities against civilians surfaced in the Ukrainian city in March, previously served as chief of Russia’s National Defense Management Center, which oversees military operations and planning.
In this previous role, Mizintsev became one of the public faces of the war in Ukraine, informing the public about what the Kremlin still calls a “special military operation.”
Mizintsev was put on international sanctions lists and accused of atrocities for his role in the brutal siege of the Mariupol.
Sep 25, 11:58 AM EDT
Russian recruits report for military mobilization
Newly recruited Russian soldiers are reporting for duty in response to the Kremlin’s emergency mobilization to bolster forces in Ukraine, according to photographs emerging from Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last week a mobilization to draft more than 300,000 Russians with military expertise, sparking anti-war protests across the country and prompting many to try to flee Russia to avoid the draft.
Putin signed a law with amendments to the Russian Criminal Code upping the punishments for the crimes of desertion during periods of mobilization and martial law.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview Sunday with ABC News This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos that Russia’s military draft is more evidence Russia is “struggling” in its invasion of Ukraine. He also said “sham referendums” going on in Russia-backed territories of eastern and southern Ukraine are also acts of desperation by the Kremlin.
“These are definitely not signs of strength or confidence. Quite the opposite: They’re signs that Russia and Putin are struggling badly,” Sullivan said while noting Putin’s autocratic hold on the country made it hard to make definitive assessments from the outside.
(NEW YORK) — Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s west coast as a powerful Category 4 storm, with near record-breaking winds of up to 155 mph. Officials said the storm has wrecked havoc and “decimated” neighborhoods.
A few weeks ago, Hurricane Fiona, also a Category 4 storm, knocked out power across the entire country of Puerto Rico.
Even though this year’s hurricane season was off to a quieter start than most, so far there have been nine named tropical storms, four of them strengthened to hurricanes and, just in the last month, two reached major hurricane status, creating widespread damage across the Atlantic, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Scientists said that the intensity of these storms will increase as the Earth’s climate warms, reported the NOAA. Intensified hurricanes bring stronger winds, heavier rain and devastating storm surges, meaning walls of water can swell as much as 12 to 18 feet. As sea levels rise, so do devastating storm surges.
The Gulf Coast — especially Florida — is particularly vulnerable to storm surges, according to ABC News reporting.
“The waters of the Gulf of Mexico just simply aren’t that deep, over a lot of the Florida coastal waters just offshore,” said Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at Weather Tiger, a consulting and risk management firm, to ABC News. “If there’s wind pushing water toward that direction, it’s shallow, it has nowhere to go. So it kind of amplifies and goes further inland.”
Most recently, Hurricane Ian broke the storm surge record in Florida as it moved on shore.
Global warming not only leads to rising sea levels that increase the risk of coastal flooding, but also creates more moisture in the atmosphere which is more likely to cause more intense rain when hurricanes make landfall, according to researchers at NASA.
“In a hurricane, spiraling winds draw moist air toward the center, fueling the towering thunderstorms that surround it,” according to Dr. Angela Colbert for NASA’s global climate change initiative. “As the air continues to warm due to climate change, hurricanes can hold more water vapor, producing more intense rainfall rates in a storm.”
Hurricane Ian has since downgraded to a tropical storm since it came ashore Wednesday. It is forecast to move off the northeast of Florida before hitting the Carolinas.
For people who live in hurricane-threatened areas, officials said the best thing to do is be prepared.
“If you plan, you don’t have to panic,” said Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson to ABC News about the impact of Hurricane Ian.
(HIGHLAND PARK, Ill.) — Victims of the July 4 shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, are filing a series of lawsuits against the manufacturer of the gun used in the shooting, accusing the company of irresponsibly and unlawfully marketing weapons in an unsafe and illegal manner, according to an attorney for one of the victims. The suspect allegedly used a rifle manufactured by Smith & Wesson to carry out the shooting.
The suits also name the former parent company of the manufacturer, American Outdoor Brands; accused shooter Robert Crimo III; and his father, Robert Crimo Jr., Ari Scharg, an attorney at Edelson, one of the firms coordinating the legal complaints, told ABC News.
Suits are being filed by families of three victims killed, at least 10 people or families of people who were injured and more than 30 people at the parade who were traumatized by the shooting, according to attorneys for the victims. They are represented by law firms including Romanucci & Blandin; Everytown Law; and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
Some lawsuits also name online gun distributor Bud’s Gun Shop and Illinois gun retailer Red Dot Arms, alleging that the retailers negligently and illegally sold the weapon to the alleged shooter in violation of the assault weapons bans in Highwood and Highland Park, Illinois, according to a joint press release from the law firms.
“Despite that Bud’s Gun Shop knew that the shooter resided in Highland Park or Highwood, where it is illegal to acquire or possess an assault weapon, it sold the Rifle to the Shooter, thereby knowingly aiding and abetting the violation of the ordinances,” the suit alleged.
The suit also accuses Red Dot Arms of knowingly violating the ban.
“Despite knowing that the Shooter resided in a municipality that prohibited the possession of assault weapons, Red Dot Arms transferred the Rifle to the Shooter, thereby knowingly aiding and abetting the violation of the ordinances,” the lawsuit alleged.
Robert Crimo III, is facing 117 charges for allegedly killing seven people and injuring more than 30 others at an Independence Day parade in the Chicago suburb. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Elizabeth Turnipseed, a victim who was shot in the pelvis during the shooting while standing next to her husband and 3-year-old daughter, is one of the plaintiffs who filed a suit in the Circuit Court of Lake County on Wednesday.
Scharg, who is representing Turnipseed, told ABC News in an interview that his client has been in and out of the hospital since the shooting and will likely never be able to walk again without assistance. Turnipseed returned to the hospital Wednesday due to her injuries, he said.
“She woke up this morning with blinding pain from the inside of her body and is now again back in the hospital undergoing tests and scans,” Scharg said.
Turnipseed still has shrapnel in her body from the shooting, which will likely remain in her body for the rest of her life, Scharg said.
The suit alleges that Turnipseed has suffered and will continue to suffer pain and anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of earnings and earning capacity and has incurred and will continue to incur substantial expenses for medical treatment, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by ABC News.
The lawsuit filed on Wednesday is one of about 10 suits being filed by victims of the shooting. They have not yet all been filed. While the suits are being filed separately, lawyers intend to enjoin them at a later stage, Scharg said.
The lawsuit filed by Turnipseed alleges that “Smith & Wesson has been aware since at least 2000 that its marketing practices played a role in contributing to gun crimes.”
According to the lawsuit, the company negotiated a settlement that year with the federal government, saying it will not “market any firearm in a way that would make the firearm particularly appealing to juveniles or criminals’ due to the foreseeable risk of such advertising fueling unlawful acts of violence by such actors.”
The suit alleges that Smith & Wesson targeted “impulsive young men with hero complexes and/or militaristic delusions military complexes attracted to the particularly high lethality of ar-15 style weapons . . . to execute their fantasies.”
According to the lawsuit, Smith & Wesson’s marketing was designed “to mimic the aesthetic of being the shooter in a video game” which is used in many popular video games, such as Call of Duty.
Turnipseed is alleging that Smith & Wesson is responsible for damages and injuries caused by the shooting.
Smith & Wesson, American Outdoor Brands, Bud’s Gun Shop and Red Dot Arms did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
In a statement to VICE in August, Red Dot Arms owner Mike Rioux defended the sale to the alleged shooter saying the company sells legal products and he doesn’t know how the suspect found the company.
“We sell firearms to law-abiding citizens upon approval from the Illinois State police,” Rioux said.
Turnipseed is asking for an unspecified amount in damages from Smith & Wesson and an injunction that “prohibits Smith & Wesson from falsely representing its products as being commonly used by, endorsed by, or associated with United States military/law enforcement personnel and unfairly and unlawfully targeting youth in their marketing,” according to a copy of the lawsuit.
Turnipseed is also asking for damages from the accused shooter and his father.
Robert Crimo Jr., the suspect’s father, told ABC News in July he is not culpable in the shooting, saying he had spent time with his son before the shooting and was “shocked.”
The lawsuit accuses the suspected shooter of assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress for the military-style assault designed to injure, maim, or kill a large number of people at the Highland Park parade.
Turnipseed is requesting damages from the accused shooter’s father for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress for allegedly facilitating his son’s ability to purchase a rifle despite knowing his propensity and desire to commit mass violence.
While the suit does not specify how much Turnipseed is looking to collect in damages, damages in the jurisdiction the suit was filed in must exceed $50,000, according to Scharg.
Scharg said the medical costs Turnipseed has incurred and will continue to exceed that threshold.
