Florida - September 28, 2022: Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida's west coast just after 3 PM Wednesday near Cayo Costa, in Lee County. It came ashore as a major Category 4 hurricane packing sustained winds of 155 mph.
The storm surge in some areas reached a height of 12 feet covering the first floor of some structures.
It wasn’t long before damage reports started coming in.
“We are getting some reports of structural damage in both Lee and Charlotte Counties but I would say, overwhelmingly, its been that surge that has been the biggest issue," said Governor DeSantis at an afternoon briefing. The storm surge in some areas reached a height of 12 feet covering the first floor of some structures.
Acting National Hurricane Director Jamie Rhome said wind will remain a factor across central Florida throughout Thursday. “So, you can just see a huge swath of wind cast almost virtually across the entire state of Florida. So, you can almost envision a core of the strongest winds punching right across the state," he said.
But like the Governor, Rhome emphasized that it’s the rain that will cause the biggest problems. “These numbers have gone up. Now, in excess of 20 inches potential in around Orlando. 10 plus inches from Tampa, to Orlando back, to Jacksonville which is why we have a high risk for excessive rainfall or flooding.”
“It is going to continue to move through the state of Florida," said DeSantis. "Your going to see hurricane force winds in places in central Florida, perhaps. All the way until it exits the Florida peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean.”
