The center of Ian is expected to make landfall on Florida ’s west coast just south of Tampa this good afternoon , agree to theNOAA ’s latestpublic advisory . It is forecast to head N over central Florida tonight and Thursday morning , then egress over the western Atlantic by former Thursday .
Over 2.5 million Florida residents weretoldto pack their belongings and evacuate their homes back when Ian threatened to make landfall as a category 3 . Now the terror has been heightened to category 4 , and some parts of the country are experience flooding and power outage already .
“ Life - threatening storm surge – one of many expected hazards with Hurricane # Ian – along the west coast of Florida has remind evacuation orders for some communities . I urge those residents to listen directions from officials ! Your prophylactic is at the heart of these sturdy conclusion , ” NWS Director Ken Graham said ina tweeton Monday .
GIF of lighting bolts surrounding Hurricane Ian in the Gulf Of Mexico. Image credit: NOAA/RAMMB/CIRA
However , a handful of Florida residents have chosen to ignore the warnings and stay put . AsNPRreports , this includes disabled multitude with mobility matter , those who can not afford to leave , and the brave few who have outride to avail others .
A looking at any of the planet imagery will enjoin you that this is a serious storm . Hurricane Ian started in the Atlantic Ocean where it was first identified near the Caribbean Windward Islands . As it entered the Carribran Sea , it built up strength and cut up northward .
Yesterday , it hit the west coast of Cuba , reportedlybringing sustained wind instrument of 205 klick per hour ( 125 mil per hour ) , which wiped out huge parts of the country ’s power storage-battery grid . As it journeys up through the Gulf of Mexico , it only grow more brawny .
Infrared imaging shows Hurricane Ian’s explosive development into a major hurricane as it edges over Cuba. Image credit: NOAA/RAMMB/CIRA
Beyond the devastation set to come in with Hurricane Ian , the violent storm has also vex the launch of the highly awaited launch of theArtemis I missionto the Moon . primitively set for September 3 , the launch has see legion setbacks over the past calendar month and , last week , NASA called offits Artemis launch schedule for September 27 .
clasp up and stay safe out there .
