As Hurricane Ian approaches, children have been seen playing on the waves off the Floridian Key West Coast. Many are refusing the red corals to be harmed. 

Hundreds of thousands of people are currently residing in mandatory evacuation zones, with Ron DeSantis warning that there is a ‘threat to life’ by the hurricane.

Two small children, aged between three and five years old, were caught jumping on huge waves in the Key West coastline despite all the rough water and flooding. 

Disney World also informed staff they would be closing all of their parks and water parks due to Hurricane Ian on Wednesday and Friday.

The park will close Disney Springs Wednesday while Universal Orland Resort Wednesday and Thursday are closed. They also cancel Halloween Horror Nights.

Florida Gov. DeSantis advised residents to not ‘put their lives in danger’, as the state expects unprecedented storm surges to flood the area and cause severe damage to the 140mph winds and 15ft waves. 

Hardy Floridians ignore that advice and the region will be battered by winds of 140 mph and hurricane surge waves 10 feet high.

Many are choosing to keep their homes, despite warnings. If they get in trouble the emergency service will not be available to help. 

TikTok posted a comment from a woman: “I do not have an evacuation plan, except that I will thugging my way out.” I will keep posting updates until either I die or drown.

Others laughed that the only bottle of water they had was enough to get through the whole storm.

They said: ‘I have one propel, I’m not good at swimming, I got a shark rod so I can f***ing catch fish if I need to eat and I got a couple of granola bars. Keep your hands on it, boys. 

Ian’s winds are now at 120 mph and it is pushing through the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida. 

One woman said she will 'survive or drown' after choosing to stay at home in the storm

Another joked that he only had one bottle of water to last him

Many are choosing to keep their houses despite warnings. If they get in trouble, the emergency service will not be available to help them.

Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos before the storm strengthens

Photographers who visit the Southernmost Point buoy are forced to brave the waves of Hurricane Ian for shots before the storm intensifies 

Southernmost Beach Resort Pier in Key West, Florida, is already being battered by high winds with waves battering a luxury resort

The palm trees are being blown about by the strong winds

The luxury resort at Southernmost Beach Resort Pier, Key West, Florida is being battered already by strong winds and waves.

Dozens of customers at Fort Wilderness Campground at a Disney resort were queuing with their luggage to comply with the evacuation process

Many customers at Fort Wilderness Campground, a Disney resort, were waiting in line with their bags to get out of the way for evacuation. 

Captain Ken Gamble says he is saying put in Treasure Beach through Hurricane Ian, after living there for 55 years saying it 'won't be as bad' as the authorities are saying

Captain Ken Gamble, who has lived there 55 years and said it wouldn’t be nearly as terrible as they are claiming, says that Treasure Beach was saved by Hurricane Ian.

Ships are seen tearing out of Tampa harbor on Tuesday afternoon and some appear to still be in the path of Hurricane Ian as it looms nearer to the Sunshine State

On Tuesday afternoon, ships were seen leaving Tampa Harbor. Some appear to be still in Hurricane Ian’s path as the storm draws nearer to Florida. 

Says Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Vote Democrat, Stop HURRICANES

Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, advised Americans to vote Democrats in midterm elections for climate action as Hurricane Ian batters Florida.

The Minnesota Democrat, speaking on MSNBC Tuesday morning highlighted the climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. 

“We did just do something about climate change. It was the first thing we have done in over a decade. We must win this battle as Hurricane Irma batters Florida. Klobuchar stated that we must win the midterms. 

Many experts believe that hurricanes are fuelled by warmer ocean waters and increased moisture levels in the air.  

Bill worth $740 billion includes new billions of dollars for clean energy, environmental justice and agriculture, as well as billions more.

Garrett Adams shared a video in which he stated that he does not plan to evacuate. Adams explained that he lives near Tampa Bay and that everything has been secured for the storm.

He placed his jet ski’s and boat on platforms that raised them above water levels. After adding, “I’ve been through these. I don’t know how insane it will be, but every one they tell me is okay.

Captain Ken Gamble, who has lived there 55 years, says that he will say Treasure Beach is safe from Hurricane Ian.

He told DailyMail.com that he has ‘never left for a storm and isn’t starting now’ claiming it ‘won’t be as bad as they say’.

After battering Cuba, this monster storm has been elevated to a Category-3 hurricane. Florida’s National Guard was on standby.

DeSantis warns that Hurricane Ian could cause flooding throughout the Sunshine State. He also urges people to plan for this ‘historical’ storm.

DeSantis spoke at a news conference Tuesday and stated that safety is the most important thing for any citizen of the state. He also warned people on the coast and the coast to be prepared for the worst by the “different” storm. 

He stated that Mother Nature can be a formidable foe, so please pay attention to evacuation instructions. There are many things you should be aware of, including power outages and inland flooding. 

More than one million homes along Florida’s west coast are at risk of storm surge damage from Hurricane Ian.

Storms will be slower as they move along the coast. However, high-speed winds will continue to blow, so the storm’s winds and rainfall will remain in the same area for longer.

DeSantis declared the state of emergency for all 67 county. To assist him, he summoned 7,000 National Guard soldiers to aid with the efforts. The evacuation orders affected 2.5million people. 

A woman walked her dog through the rising floodwater as the tide rises in Key West, Florida on Tuesday

On Tuesday, a woman led her dog along the floodwaters of Key West Florida.

Storm drains in Miami are currently overflowing with the amount of heavy rainfall that has lashed the city in the past 24 hours

Miami’s storm drains are currently flooded by the heavy rains that have poured in over the last 24 hours.

Disney and Universal resorts in Orlando, Florida, are currently set to remain open as some hotels are canceling guests reservations and evacuating the area. They removes a hanging medallion from an area in the studios to prevent anyone from being hurt

The Disney and Universal Resorts of Orlando in Florida are expected to stay open at the moment, despite some hotels cancelling guests reservations and evacuated from the area. To prevent any injury, they removed a hanging medallion that was in an area of the studios.

Kathy Perez gathers belongings from her home as she evacuates to a safer area before the arrival of Hurricane Ian in St Petersburg Beach, Florida, on Tuesday

Kathy Perez gathers her belongings as she flees St Petersburg Beach to safety before Hurricane Ian arrives on Tuesday

Ian made landfall in western Cuba early Tuesday, with the storm prompting mass evacuations and fears it will bring widespread destruction as it heads for the US state of Florida

Ian arrived in Cuba on Tuesday morning. The storm prompted mass evacuations, and fears of widespread destruction.

Residents in Florida are capturing the storm clouds as the first signs of hurricane Ian hit the Sunshine State on Tuesday

Winds of up to 140mph are expected as Tampa airport is shutting down

Florida residents captured the storm cloud formations as hurricane Ian struck the Sunshine State Tuesday. With winds up to 140mph, it is expected that the state will see the next wave of Hurricane Ian.

A man, along with his Macaw and cat, prepares his sailboat on the Davis Islands yacht basin in Tampa, Florida

With his Macaws and cats, a man prepares his sailboat at the Davis Islands yacht basin, Tampa, Florida.

Tampa General Hospital has created an aqua wall around the entire hospital in preparation for Hurricane Ian to protect patients and equipment

In preparation for Hurricane Ian, Tampa General Hospital built an aqua wall surrounding the hospital to provide protection for patients and their equipment.

The storm is already causing huge waves to batter Florida Keys coastline, with many resorts already being flooded on the coast

Many resorts are already under water due to the storm that is ripping through Florida Keys.

Vehicles in Brickell, Florida, battled to get out of the heavily flooded roads as others were taking precautions to protect their properties

Brickell’s vehicles struggled to exit the flood-prone roads while other motorists took steps to safeguard their homes.

A Delta Airlines Boeing 757 pushes back from the gate at the Tampa International Airport on Tuesday before the airport closed

On Tuesday, a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 returns to the Tampa International Airport gate.

Canceled flights are shown on a video board at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter at the Tampa International Airport on Tuesday

The Southwest Airlines ticket counter, Tampa International Airport. On Tuesday, a video screen displays cancelled flights.

Before Hurricane Ian, Disney and Florida’s popular attractions are CLOSED

Disney:

  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Copper Creek Cabins Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Bungalows
  • Typhoon Lagoon
  • Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
  • Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf 

Airports:

  • Tampa
  • St Pete International

Attractions:

  • ZooTampa
  • Straz Center
  • Florida Aquarium
  • The Dali Museum
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Sparkman Wharf
  • Yacht StarShip
  • Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

Sports:

  • Lightning season postponed
  • Miami Buccaneers move to Miami 

Already, the hurricane is creating huge waves that will batter Florida Keys’ coastline. Many resorts have been flooded along its coast. 

In 26 Florida districts, schools have indicated that they will close.

In an effort to save students, universities and Florida Colleges have also closed their doors.

Thousands of guests at Disney World are also being evacuated from hotels and campgrounds in Orlando as Hurricane Ian is baring down on Florida, with areas at the park already suffering from flooding.  

The Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom remain open under normal conditions. However, the company is’monitoring the situation.

The Disney Springs shopping and entertainment complex also will remain open, while Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue will be closed from Wednesday to Friday. 

Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will also be closed for three days. 

Tuesday and Thursday will be closed for Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf 

The entertainment company is not enforcing cancellation policies. Performances around Fort Wilderness Resort are cancelled.

The weather has made it difficult for thousands to travel to the resort, which was ravaged by rain over the past days.

This happens because all Florida Key’s have been placed under tornado watch. It is therefore possible that one could hit. 

According to a spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort, “Walt Disney World Resort” is operating in normal conditions. We are currently making adjustments according to the National Weather Service’s latest information.

“We will continue to ensure the safety of Cast members and guests and we will keep you updated as we track Hurricane Ian.

At 4.30am, local time the National Hurricane Center reported that the hurricane made landfall on western Cuba. The storm pelted the island with rain and sustained winds at 125 mph.

Havana in Cuba was badly affected by the storm. Havana’s capital city, Havana had to be unclogged storm drains. Fishermen took their boats out to get away from the waters to help themselves against the flooding. 

Ian cut off electricity to more than 1 million homes, and tore down the roofs of houses as it headed north towards Florida. There residents are anxiously awaiting the ensuing storm.

A local in Malecon, Havana, in Cuba, took the time to take a picture of the massive waves that were rocking the shoreline

One local from Malecon, Havana in Cuba took the time and snapped a photograph of the enormous waves that were shaking the coastline. 

Brickell, Miami,  is also being battered by flooding and rainfall, with drains overflowing with water and cars struggling to make it through flood water

Brickell, Miami,  is also being battered by flooding and rainfall, with drains overflowing with water and cars struggling to make it through flood water

It comes as all of the Florida Key¿s are under a tornado watch, meaning that it is possible for one to hit

The tornado watches are in effect for all Florida Keys, so it’s possible to get a storm.

Residents in St Petersburg, Florida, are in queues which are taking hours to get sandbags to prpare themselves for the 'historic' storm

St Petersburg’s residents have been waiting for hours to be given sandbags so they can prepare themselves for the storm.

Rebecca Hale and her mother, Edda Howard, place shutters on her home as they prepare for the possible arrival of Hurricane Ian

Rebecca Hale, her mother Edda Howard and their home were shuttered to prepare for Hurricane Ian.

Strong winds are already battering palm tree's at the Antonio Maceo Monument in Havana, Cuba, early on  Tuesday morning

Strong winds are already battering palm tree’s at the Antonio Maceo Monument in Havana, Cuba, early on  Tuesday morning 

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, DeSantis said that 'safety is paramount' for anyone in the state, and warned those on the north coast and gulf coast that they could be hit hardest by the 'different' storm.

DeSantis spoke at a news conference Tuesday and stated that safety is the most important thing for any citizen of the state. He also warned people on the coast and the coast that the storm could cause severe damage.

Residents in Florida are seen packing up their homes to head for a safer area as more than 2.5million people are under evacuation orders

Florida residents are packing up to flee their homes in order to be nearer safety. More than 2.5 million people have been issued evacuation orders.

A utility pole lies on the street in Consolacion del Sur, Cuba, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian hitting the island

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, a utility pole was found on Consolacion del Sur’s street.

Puerto Rico is still without electricity for more than 503,000 people after Hurricane Fiona.

After Hurricane Fiona, which struck Puerto Rico Sept. 18, caused a power blackout across the island and left 503,000 houses and businesses without power Tuesday.

After striking Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona moved northward and struck eastern Canada on Saturday. It left more than one third of Nova Scotia without electricity.

Fiona arrived in Puerto Rico five years ago, just after Hurricane Maria destroyed all electricity on the island.

PowerOutage.us estimates outages based upon utility data. According to information provided by LUMA Energy (which operates Puerto Rico’s grid), 503,000 customers were not connected on Tuesday.

According to PowerOutage.us, Monday saw 600,000. This is a small percentage of the total 1.468.8 million customers.

This restoration process is far faster than that of Maria, when nearly all 1.5 million customers were without power for at least a week. Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), which is now bankrupt, was operating the grid at that point.

PREPA took 11 months to restore power for all customers. However, Maria was much stronger than Fiona.

Maria hit Puerto Rico 2017 in a Category-4 hurricane, with winds up to 155 mph. Fiona struck as a Category-1 storm, with winds at 85 mph.

LUMA Energy reported Monday that service was restored to approximately 877,800 customers. If sufficient power is available through PREPA or other private generators, 77%-91% of these customers will be restored Friday.

LUMA is a joint venture of units from Canadian energy firm ATCO Ltd and U.S. contractor Quanta Services Inc (50%)

PREPA retains a large portion of Puerto Rico’s electricity infrastructure. LUMA received a grid management contract in 2020. It began operating the system in 2021.

Source: Reuters 

Pinar del Rio resident Mayelin Suarez sold ice cream in Pinar del Rio’s capital Tuesday morning. It was a night that she called the darkest and most difficult of her entire life.

Suarez shared the following: ‘We nearly lost our roof. It was secured with a rope by my wife, daughter and me to prevent it from flying.

After the storm, streets and yards were littered with improvised metal roofings that had been placed on buildings and homes throughout the area, which is vulnerable to deterioration in infrastructure and housing.

At the peak of the storm, palm trees fell along the regional roads making it nearly impossible to travel.

Ian reached Pinar del Rio Province, where officials created 55 shelters for him and evacuated over 50,000 of them. Sunshine State officials are warning people to “get out now” 

Tampa International Airport has announced that commercial flights will be canceled on Tuesday, 5pm in advance of Hurricane Ian.

The location is in an evacuation area, but it is critical infrastructure. It can be closed to visitors for as long as necessary, workers will protect aircraft, plane bridges, and other ground equipment.

Once the airport is able to safely assess any damage and survey road conditions, it will reopen.

The airport in St Petersburg is being closed due to Category 3 storm threats. It is located within the predicted path.

It is unknown when all terminals will reopen following the closure of planes.

Tampa and St Petersburg might be the hardest hit since 1921. Officials are urging residents to treat the storm with seriousness, adding “it’s the real thing”. 

Eight people died in the Tarpon Springs tornado, which was accompanied by winds up to 120 mph. 

To protect equipment and patients, Tampa General Hospital created an aquawall around its entire campus in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.

Miami has also been ravaged by rain and flooding, and drains are overflowing and cars are struggling to get through the flooded areas. 

The hurricane has been barreling through Cuba and is expected to intensify over the Gulf of Mexico before striking Florida on Wednesday morning as a Category-4 storm. Its top winds are 140 mph.

Hurricane Florence is forecast to pass the Florida Keys by Tuesday night, then move towards Florida’s west coast on Wednesday. This will prompt locals to grab food, water, and medication. 

More than 300,000. people were ordered to leave Hillsborough by local officials. This includes Hillsborough, Tampa-Manatee and Hernando counties.

Residents in St Petersburg, Florida, have started putting up shutters at the front of the properties to protect them from the high winds and flooding

Florida residents have begun to put shutters in front of their properties to keep them safe from high winds and flooding.

NASA has been forced to delay the launch of its Artemis rocket again because of the hurricane barreling towards the coast ¿ meaning they will not be able to attempt anther launch for at least three weeks

NASA has been forced to delay the launch of its Artemis rocket again because of the hurricane barreling towards the coast – meaning they will not be able to attempt anther launch for at least three weeks

People are seen on a street in Consolacion del Sur, Cuba, during the passage of the storm - Hurricane Ian made landfall in western Cuba early Tuesday

The storm passed through Consolacion del Sur (Cuban) on Tuesday.

Coeval Gonzalez, right, and Gustavo Sakharov, of Colombia, tie up sand bags on the Davis Islands beach ahead of Hurricane Ian

Coeval Gonzalez (right) and Gustavo Sakharov (Colombia), tie up sandbags on the Davis Islands Beach ahead of Hurricane Ian

Dark cloud shave been forming above villa's in Florida as residents prepare to be hit for Category 3 Hurricane Ian on Tuesday

Residents of Florida are bracing for Category 3 Hurricane Ian as dark cloud formations have been observed above the villas.

The National Hurricane Center confirmed the storm made landfall in western Cuba at 4.30am local time, lashing the island with rain and sustained winds of 125mph

At 4.30 AM local time the National Hurricane Center reported that the hurricane made landfall on western Cuba. The storm whipped up rainstorms and sustained winds to the tune of 125mph.

Tampa General Hospital is preparing staff and the building for the 140mph winds and storm conditions which are set to hit the city on Wednesday

Tampa General Hospital staff is getting ready for the expected 140 mph winds and severe storm conditions that will hit Wednesday.

St Petersburg airport is also set to close after threats of being hit by the Category 3 storm, as it is in the projected path. Dark clouds covered the roads close to the airport on Monday

After threats that it would be hit by the Category-3 storm, St Petersburg Airport will also close. It is currently in its projected path. The roads around the airport were covered in dark clouds Monday

Hurricane Ian, shown here over the central Caribbean, is expected to make landfall in the United States on Wednesday

The Hurricane Ian is shown above in the middle Caribbean. He will likely make landfall at the United States Wednesday.

Destruction has hit Cuba hard, after authorities carried out evacuations on Monday in an attempt to protect the island from the storm

Cuba has been devastated by the Hurricane. Authorities evacuated the country Monday as a precaution.

More than 7,000 National Guard members have been mobilized to help Florida prepare for Hurricane Ian, with many businesses locking down their properties

Over 7,000 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to Florida in preparation for Hurricane Ian. Many business owners are now locked down.

People have been desperate to fill up on gas, causing huge queues at many stations as others are preparing by sandbagging roads outside their properties in an attempt to limit the damage

In an effort to reduce the damages, people have been desperate for gas. This has led to huge lines at stations and caused massive queues.

NASA have also been forced to delay the launch of its Artemis rocket again because of the hurricane barreling towards the coast ¿ meaning they will not be able to attempt anther launch for at least three weeks

NASA have also been forced to delay the launch of its Artemis rocket again because of the hurricane barreling towards the coast – meaning they will not be able to attempt anther launch for at least three weeks

U.S. Offshore Oil Producers Keep an Eye on Hurricane Ian’s Track 

U.S. Offshore Oil Producers were closely monitoring Hurricane Ian’s path on Tuesday. The powerful storm had shut-in approximately 480,000 barrels of crude oil production in advance of its passage into the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

It was threatening western Cuba as it passed through Tuesday’s hurricane. As it crossed the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to be a hazardous category-4 storm. According to the National Hurricane Center, it was moving at 125 mph (205 km/h) and headed towards landfall along the coast of Florida by mid-week.

Ian, the country’s first major hurricane of this year, will disrupt U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas production. The Gulf of Mexico produces approximately 15% of America’s crude oil as well as 5% of its dry natural gas. Ian’s path takes him east from the heart of U.S. off-shore oil and gas production.

Hess, Occidental Petroleum, Chevron and BP were among the offshore producers that Monday stated they took precautions in advance of Hurricane Irma’s arrival to the Gulf.

BP evacuated workers and halted oil production from two offshore platforms. These platforms collectively pump 380,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd). Chevron also relocated staff to two platforms which collectively produce 105,000 bpd.

Hess and Occidental said that they are implementing storm procedures, but did not provide specifics.

Tampa Bay is likely to see a 10 foot ocean surge and 10 in. of rain. In isolated locations, as high as 15 in. of water could be available – sufficient water to flood coastal communities. 

Experts warn that Tampa Bay could be’surge-prone’. Brian McNoldy, senior research associate at University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, is one of the leading experts.

According to him, “Strong and persistent winds push water into the bay. There’s no place for it to go so it builds up.”

Because of its orientation, Tampa Bay is highly susceptible to flooding.

Cathie Perkins (emergency management director for Pinellas County) said: “That’s quite a bit of rain. It’s unlikely that it will all drain away quickly.

This is not a joke. It is a life-threatening storm surge. 

The terrified residents of fear are digging deep trenches in order to channel flood water away from their homes, and others are removing essentials from supermarket shelves.

Floridians waited in Tampa for hours to grab bags of sand from the supermarkets and to stock up before they had to prepare to weather the storm.

Tampa International Airport stated that they would close their doors on Tuesday, at 5 p.m. local (2100 GMT), before Hurricane Irma hits the region. 

Cuba: 50,000 residents of western Pinar del Rio were relocated to safer areas. 6,000 went to 55 shelters run by the state, the remainder to their homes or relatives. 

Officials rushed to save the main region of Chinese tobacco-growing China from storm surge and now expect to witness the island’s western coast to experience as high as 14ft.

NASA have also been forced to delay the launch of its Artemis rocket again because of the hurricane barreling towards the coast – meaning they will not be able to attempt anther launch for at least three weeks.

The rocket, which measures 322-foot tall, was rolled four miles back to Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building.

Cathy Dalrymple fill gas containers at a station before the possible arrival of Hurricane Ian in St Petersburg

Cathy Dalrymple filled gas bottles at a station in St Petersburg before Hurricane Ian could arrive.

Plywood with graffiti was being installed on a restaurant in Gulfport, Florda, to protect the windows against the storm

To protect windows from the hurricane, plywood with graffiti was installed at a Gulfport restaurant, Florda.

Homes in Indian Shores are also being storm-proofed with many nailing on plywood to their windows in an attempt to stop them from breaking

Indian Shores homes are being weather-proofed by nailing plywood onto their windows to prevent them from bursting.

Flooding is set to hit Florida later this week, as Miami is currently battling against flooding as cars try to get through the water

Florida will be the next victim of flooding. Miami currently faces flood control as it tries to pass the rising water.

As Florida braces itself for Hurricane Ian which will bring destruction to the coast, thousands of National Guard personnel are ready in Florida.

A surge of up to 10ft of ocean water and 10 inches of rain is predicted to drench the Tampa Bay area, with as much as 15 inches in isolated areas - enough water to inundate coastal communities

The Tampa Bay region is expected to be flooded by a surge of 10ft ocean water and 10inches of rain. In isolated areas, there may even be 15inches of water – sufficient water to flood coastal communities

After barreling its way through Cuba, the hurricane is forecast to strengthen even further over the warm Gulf of Mexico waters before reaching Florida as early as Wednesday as a Category 4 storm with top winds of 140mph

Hurricane Ivan is now expected to barrel through Cuba before strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico. The storm will then reach Florida early Wednesday morning as a Category-4 hurricane with maximum winds of 140 mph.

Residents in King Tide, Key West, are already having flooding that is not caused by the storm and are concerned what the repercussions will be when the storm hits

King Tide in Key West is already experiencing flooding but this has not been caused by the storm. Residents are now concerned about what will happen when it hits.

DeSantis issued a warning Monday about heavy traffic. There were reports of highways being jammed for approximately 50 miles. 

According to the governor, traffic will always be a problem when there are millions of people living in one area. This is the truth. 

Publix spokesperson stated that they are continuing to monitor Ian. Publix stores may reduce the quantity of certain items such as water to ensure we serve all our customers.

It continued: “We have seen an increase in purchases of products such as bread and water.

The US President Joe Biden declared an emergency and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts and assist in protecting lives and properties.

Due to the hurricane, the President delayed a September 27 visit to Florida. White House officials confirmed that they were ‘closely watching’ the situation. 

Officials claimed that President Obama approved an emergency request for assistance “as soon as it was received”.

The team added that he had directed his staff to increase Federal aid to the area well before landing. FEMA had already sent staff to the region and prepared food, water, or generators.

Florida activates its National Guard with 5,000 men and 2,000 volunteers from other states in preparation for the wrathful Hurricane Ian.

Mobilization:

  • Florida National Guard:
  • 2 000 National Guards from Other States
  • Reserved Search and Rescue Teams
  • Restore power with 28,000 Linemen

Under evacuation orders 2.5M

  • Pinellas County
  • Hillsborough County
  • Manatee County
  • Hernando County

K12 school closures:

  • Baker County
  • Brevard County
  • Charlotte County
  • Citrus County
  • Collier County
  • DeSoto County
  • Dixie County
  • Gilchrist County
  • Glades County
  • Hamilton County
  • Hardee County
  • Hendry County
  • Hernando County
  • Highlands County
  • Hillsborough County
  • Lafayette County
  • Lake County
  • Lee County
  • Levy County
  • Manatee County
  • Marion County
  • Monroe County
  • Okeechobee County
  • Orange County
  • Osceola Country
  • Pasco County
  • Pinellas County
  • Polk County
  • Putnam County
  • Sarasota County
  • Seminole County
  • Sumter County
  • Volusia County

Closure of Colleges

  • College of Central Florida
  • College of the Florida Keys
  • Daytona State College
  • Hillsborough Community College
  • Eastern Florida State College
  • Florida Gateway College
  • Florida SouthWestern State College
  • Indian River State College
  • Lake-Sumter State College
  • Pasco-Hernando State College
  • Polk State College
  • Seminole State College
  • South Florida State College
  • St Petersburg College
  • State College of Florida
  • Valencia College

Closure of universities

  • Florida A&M University
  • Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Florida Polytechnic University
  • Florida State University
  • New College of Florida
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Florida
  • University of South Florida