Florida - Tuesday September 27, 2022: Hurricane Ian strengthened into a Major Category 3 Hurricane overnight. Tropical-storm force winds may begin as soon as tonight in the Florida Keys and southern Florida.
As of 11 AM Tuesday Ivan was reported to be just north off the north coast of Cuba, about 110 nautical miles south-southwest of the Dry Tortugas.
Maximum sustained winds were 125 MPH. It was moving north at 12. Additional strengthening is expected as it makes its way now towards the west coast of Florida.
The track of the storm has shifted again. Its moved further east and its projected landfall is expected to take place south of Tampa, and north of Fort Myers.
During an 8 am Tuesday briefing, Acting National Hurricane Director Jamie Rhome said - "As the track comes in a little bit more to the south, the surge risk has increased in and around Charlotte Harbor." Port Charlotte lies to the north and Punta Gorda to the south of Charlotte Harbor which is north of Fort Myers.
Rhome also warned that a heavy rain shield is swinging out in front of Hurricane Ian.
"Its been raining heavily here in south Florida all night," said Rhome, and that is producing "significant flood risk in advance of the actual storm." The amount of rain he said, could be in the 10 to 15 inch range.
Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a significant risk of life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of this week.
SEE the 11 AM briefing by Acting NHC Director Jamie Rhome HERE> https://fb.watch/fOVO5GVjIl/.
SEE the 8 AM briefing by Acting NHC Director Jamie Rhome HERE> https://fb.watch/fOIMK1gtGE/.
NHC Advisory 17: 5 AM Tuesday September 27
FLORIDA: There is a danger of life threatening storm surge along much of the Florida west coast where a storm surge warning has been issued, with the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region. Residents in these areas should listen to the advice given by local officials.
Hurricane-force winds are expected in west-central Florida beginning Wednesday morning with tropical storm conditions expected later Tuesday.
Heavy rainfall will increase across the Florida Keys and South Florida throughout Tuesday, spreading into central to northern Florida Wednesday and Thursday, and the southeast by Friday and Saturday, These rains will likely cause flash, urban, and small stream flooding.
Considerable flooding is expected across central Florida into southern Georgia and coastal South Carolina, with significant, prolonged river flooding expected across central to northern Florida.
CUBA: Life threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, flash floods and possible mudslides are expected in portions of western Cuba today. Devastating wind damage is expected where the core of Ian moves across western Cuba Tuesday morning.
Heavy rainfall will spread across northern Cuba through Tuesday. This will likely produce instances of flash flooding and possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain over western Cuba.
