The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Ian will create catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding in the Florida Peninsula when it comes ashore later today.
At 7:00 AM CDT, the NHC reported that the eye of Hurricane Ian was located by Air Force and NOAA Hurricane Hunter data plus Key West radar about 55 miles west of Naples, Florida. Ian is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph. This general motion with a reduction in forward speed is forecast today, followed by a turn toward the north on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move onshore within the hurricane warning area later this morning or early afternoon.
The center of Ian is forecast to move over central Florida tonight and Thursday morning and emerge over the western Atlantic by late Thursday. Ian has maximum sustained winds remaining near 155 mph with higher gusts. Ian is a Category 4 hurricane and is forecast to make landfall on the west coast of Florida as a catastrophic hurricane. Weakening is expected only after it makes landfall. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.
Hurricane conditions will begin along the west coast of Florida within the Hurricane Warning area later this morning. Tropical storm conditions have already begun in many areas along the Florida coast.
Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area on the east coast of Florida beginning today and should spread up the Georgia and South Carolina coasts tonight and Thursday. Alabama should not experience severe weather from Ian.
The Florida Keys and South Florida could get 6 to 8 inches, with local maximum of up to 12 inches from this storm system. Central and Northeast Florida should get between 12 to 18 inches, with local maximums up to 24 inches. Eastern Georgia and Coastal South Carolina could get 4 to 8 inches, with local maximums of up to 12 inches.
Storm swells along the Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coasts are likely to cause life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents.
Over 3 million Floridians were ordered to evacuate, and many of them have fled northward to Georgia and Alabama hotels and motels. There is also expected to be a temporary shortage of building materials as homeowners in Florida and Georgia rush to rebuild after the storm. The sudden demand will likely cause a spike in the prices for those goods lasting months, so please postpone any building or remodeling projects if possible.
Alabama utility crews, along with those from other states, are poised to go to Georgia and Florida to assist with restoring electricity as soon as the storm passes through,
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
