Ian, a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, moved into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, which monitors tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, Ian will hit East Florida overnight Wednesday into Thursday. 2.5 million people were forced to evacuate.
Ian formed in the southeastern part of the Caribbean Sea on September 24, and two days later, due to favorable weather conditions, it intensified to a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (wind speed of at least 120 km / h).
As Ian moved northwest toward Cuba, Ian continued to gain speed. It reached Category 3 this morning and sustained winds of 205 km/h near La Coloma in western Cuba’s Pinar del Río province.
The evacuation was ordered as the hurricane advanced in Cuba. Most of the more than 50,000 evacuees have taken refuge in the homes of family and friends living in other parts of the country.
The island has recorded wind gusts of up to 210 kmph, heavy rainfall and high storm surges.
Currently, there are no reports of possible casualties and property losses from Cuba.
The US agency National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced at 5pm Polish time on Tuesday that Ian had already left Cuba and moved into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Contact with land weakens tropical cyclones, and that’s the case here – Ian is still a Category 3 hurricane, but it’s weakened to 20km/h winds before hitting Cuba. However, winds exceeded 200 kmph.
This should change quickly because the surface waters of the Gulf of Mexico are very warm, and the hurricane will have a source of “fuel” to intensify. According to the NHC forecast, Ion should reach Category 4 on Wednesday morning with sustained winds of 215 km/h and gusts of 260 km/h.
The NHC predicts that a strike against Florida will take place Wednesday night, between the cities of Tampa and Fort Myers. The good news is that just before landing, Ian should weaken a bit. Nevertheless, it will still be at least a very strong Category 3 hurricane.
Storm surges of more than 3.5 meters will be the biggest threat, inundating coastal areas. It is nothing but breaking water piles locally. Storm surge is the greatest threat in tropical cyclones; Always responsible for a large number of victims.
Heavy rains leading to high rivers and flash floods can also be dangerous. Wind is less of a threat, although it cannot be underestimated due to its potential to topple many trees and tear roofs off houses.
Florida residents prepare for Ion’s impact. 5,000 people were mobilized in Florida to prepare for the hurricane and repair potential damage. Florida National Guard and 2,000 officers. In neighboring states. President Joe Biden signed a special document that puts federal services on their feet so they can quickly help victims.
State Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency. Authorities have forced the evacuation of 2.5 million people, mostly in coastal areas. They are particularly vulnerable to the aforementioned storm surge.
Mandatory evacuations have already covered parts of Hillsborough, including the city of Tampa. Bunkers were opened. The order involved, among others, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, the seat of US Central Command.
As of Tuesday morning local time, mandatory evacuations will be extended to Hernando and Manatee counties. Schools in counties along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico will be closed.
Stores are out of water and batteries. People protect their homes by climbing over windows in buildings.