Ian Expected To Cause Catastrophic Storm Surge, Winds, and Flooding in Florida Today

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is reporting that the eye of Hurricane Ian (now a Category 4 storm) was located about 55 miles west of Naples, Florida this morning at 8 AM EDT, and is forecast to make landfall on the west coast of Florida as a catastrophic hurricane.

According to the NHC, Ian is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph and this general motion with a reduction in forwarding speed is forecast today, followed by a turn toward the north on Thursday.

Forecasters say that 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 of 155 mph with higher gusts and is expected to weaken after landfall.

The NHC stated that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

“Catastrophic wind damage is likely where the core of Ian moves onshore. Hurricane conditions will begin along the west coast of Florida within the Hurricane Warning area later this morning, with tropical storm conditions beginning before daybreak,” the NHC further noted.

“Tropical storm conditions are occurring in the warning area in the Florida Keys and will continue this morning. 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. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area in Cuba for the next few hours.”

Forecasters at the NHC say that Ian is expected to produce the following storm total rainfall:

* The Florida Keys and South Florida: 6 to 8 inches, with local maxima up to 12 inches.

* Central and Northeast Florida: 12 to 18 inches, with local maxima up to 24 inches.

* Eastern Georgia and Coastal South Carolina: 4 to 8 inches, with local maxima of 12 inches.

Furthermore, swells generated by Ian are affecting the northern coast of Cuba, the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and the west coast of Florida.

“Swells will increase along the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina tonight and Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC added.

The NHC also stated that tornadoes are possible today and tonight across central and south Florida and that the swells generated by Ian are affecting the northern coast of Cuba, the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and the west coast of Florida.

“Swells will increase along the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina tonight and Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

Ian would be the first major hurricane to hit the US this year, and the first major hurricane to hit the Tampa area since 1921.

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