Hurricane Ian Live Updates: Damaging winds and rain lash Florida; ‘two nasty days ahead’, says Governor DeSantis

More than 2.5 million folks have been below necessary evacuation orders, however by regulation nobody may very well be pressured to flee. The governor mentioned the state has 30,000 linemen, city search and rescue groups and seven,000 National Guard troops from Florida and elsewhere prepared to assist as soon as the climate clears.

Florida residents rushed forward of the affect to board up their houses, stash valuable belongings on higher flooring and be a part of lengthy traces of automobiles leaving the shore.

Overnight, Hurricane Ian went by way of a pure cycle when it misplaced its previous eye and shaped a brand new eye. The timing was unhealthy for the Florida coast, as a result of the storm acquired stronger and bigger solely hours earlier than landfall. Ian went from 120 mph (193 kph) to 155 mph (250 kph) in simply three hours, the second spherical of fast intensification within the storm’s life cycle.

Ian’s ahead motion shifted barely southward, doubtless sparing Tampa and St. Petersburg their first direct hit by a serious hurricane since 1921.