Hurricane Ian punishes Florida with devastating winds, storm surge

Hurricane Ian made landfall Wednesday, with early photos displaying devastating results within the Fort Myers space and different components of southwest Florida. An 11 p.m. replace from the Nationwide Hurricane Heart had Ian’s winds reducing to 90 mph, making it now a Class 1 hurricane. Ian made landfall in Florida with 150 mph winds, virtually the energy of a Class 5.

Situations for Tampa Bay stay critical, with Mayor Jane Castor stressing to residents that the subsequent 24 hours would be the most dangerous in Tampa. Practically 485,000 outages have been reported within the Tampa Bay space. And greater than 1.8 million properties and companies have misplaced energy in Florida.

5 a.m.: Part of causeway resulting in Sanibel is gone

Tampa Bay Instances reporter Zachary T. Sampson photojournalist Douglas R. Clifford left their resort room in Fort Myers late Wednesday evening and have been looking out the world and assessing the harm from Hurricane Ian for hours.

Their newest discover is jaw-dropping: A piece of the causeway resulting in Sanibel is gone, worn out by the highly effective Class 4 storm.

One other a part of the highway is folded up like an accordion and ripped to ribbons by the highly effective storm.

You may learn their dispatches here.

4:45 a.m.: Energy outages in Tampa Bay now half-million

Officers say 291,620 Tampa Electrical Co. clients are with out energy. About 191,000 individuals in Pinellas County are with out energy as properly. One other 25,945 in Pasco County are with out energy.

The whole, as of 4:30 a.m. Thursday, was 508,549.

Full story here.

— Chris Tisch

11:58 p.m.: Water nonetheless excessive in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS — Constructing alarms blared by means of, the wind nonetheless rustling downtown shortly earlier than midnight. Shin-high, grey water rippled down First Avenue exterior america Courthouse. Small items of trash drifted within the present.

Water still filled some streets in neighborhoods off McGregor Boulevard, southwest of town heart. It drifted midway up the poles of white mailboxes.

Just a few homes shone out of full blackness, mills buzzing.

Felled branches — and a few complete timber — littered the lawns.

Just a few pickup vans have been caught on the highway out to Fort Myers Seaside and Sanibel Island. One of many drivers had boats to examine on.

The water was nonetheless too excessive.

— Zachary T. Sampson

11:42 p.m.: St. Petersburg crews to evaluate harm Thursday

Mayor Ken Welch mentioned St. Petersburg police, firefighters and different metropolis staff will assess the harm from Hurricane Ian Thursday morning “at first dawn.” Crews Thursday morning will search for fallen timber and downed energy strains. That work will make it simpler for Duke Vitality to start restoring energy. Read more here.

— Colleen Wright

11:31 p.m.: ‘My dad needed to flee his residence in chest-deep water’

11:18 p.m.: Robust winds in Charlotte Bay

11:07 p.m.: Ian now Class 1 hurricane

Ian’s most winds decreased to 95 mph, making it a Class 1 hurricane, in accordance with an 11 p.m. replace from the Nationwide Hurricane Heart.

10:56 p.m.: Dire circumstances at Port Charlotte hospital reported

10:23 p.m.: Metropolis of Venice tweets harm to theater

10:21 p.m.: Heavy rainfall as Ian strikes inland

10:08 p.m.: Dispatch from Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL — Hours after Hurricane Ian made landfall close to Caya Costa, this metropolis that when rose improbably from wetlands was pitch black Wednesday evening. John Renas, 42, surveyed his yard with two of his youngsters, their headlamps darting over knee-high floodwater.

“It was simply blasting us for hours,” mentioned Renas, who has lived within the space since he was 16. They by no means actually thought of evacuating for Ian, he mentioned. The surge climbed to the sting of their home on the nook of Santa Barbara Boulevard and SE thirty ninth Terrace. The wind was equally terrifying, shaking and lifting the eaves. For hours, Renas mentioned, it felt just like the wind was going to suck out the doorways. He held onto one, he mentioned, and his son, Zak Irwin, clutched the opposite.

“The howling, simply one thing I’ll always remember,” Renas mentioned.

“Like vehicles revving their engines,” mentioned daughter Brianna Renas, 17.

“Or a aircraft flying overhead,” Irwin mentioned.

Renas mentioned his 12-year-old daughter was having enjoyable at first, treating shelter-in-place like tenting journey. Then she seemed exterior and noticed the floodwaters creeping nearer. She began to cry.

Murky brown seawater nonetheless soaked their entrance and aspect yards about 9:30 p.m. It lapped towards a toppled palm tree, beside which Renas’ daughter normally waits for the varsity bus.About 100 yards up the road, a white automotive lay deserted within the highway, water as much as the floorboards.

“Subsequent time they inform us to evacuate,” he mentioned, “I’ll depart.”

— Zachary T. Sampson

9:19 p.m.: Ian’s winds reducing to 105 mph

9:15 p.m.: Tropical cyclone replace

9:00 p.m.: Ian anticipated to show north, head to east coast of Florida

As of 8 p.m., Ian’s heart was about 30 miles northeast of Punta Gorda and 95 miles south-southwest of Orlando. Shifting north-northeast at about 8 mph, the storm had most sustained winds of 115 mph, with greater gusts, Wednesday evening. Forecasters count on Ian’s heart to maneuver throughout Central Florida Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, then emerge over the western Atlantic by late Thursday. In accordance with the hurricane heart’s 8 p.m. replace, the system will flip north and head towards the east coast of Florida earlier than reaching the Georgia and South Carolina coasts late Friday. Read more here.

— Amy Gehrt

8:34 p.m.: Tampa site visitors gentle comes crashing down

8:16 p.m.: Intense footage of Ian

8:08 p.m.: Flash Flood warning issued

7:57 p.m.: Energy outages proceed

Officers say 200,000 Tampa Electrical Co. clients are with out energy. About 163,000 individuals in Pinellas County are with out energy as properly. One other 8,000 in Pasco County are with out energy.

The whole, as of seven:30, is shortly approaching 400,000. That’s almost 30% of Duke Vitality clients in St Petersburg and about 25% of TECO clients in Hillsborough County.

— Matt Cohen

7:45 p.m.: Tampa officers: Subsequent 24 hours would be the most harmful

Metropolis of Tampa officers urged residents to shelter in place late Wednesday, saying the world has but to see the worst of Hurricane Ian.

Throughout a 5:30 p.m. information convention, Mayor Jane Castor mentioned the subsequent 24 hours would be the most harmful for Tampa, and folks ought to keep inside.

“We’re going to get the vast majority of the rain and the upper winds beginning about 8 p.m., and they will final all through the evening,” Castor mentioned. “It’s nonetheless going to trigger flooding.” Read more here.

— Sam Ogozalek

6:55 p.m. Many in Southwest Florida didn’t evacuate, need assistance

Emergency name facilities have obtained probably tons of of requires assist from residents in Southwest Florida who didn’t evacuate previous to Hurricane Ian’s landfall, state officers mentioned. In Lee, Hendry and Glades counties, 911 name facilities are down and being rerouted to smaller counties. Officers don’t but know the way many individuals have to be rescued.

“We had one small rural county that was answering requires the bigger counties saying that that they had tons of of calls,” Florida Division of Emergency Administration Director Kevin Guthrie mentioned.

Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned they know some individuals who didn’t depart the high-risk Zone A evacuation areas have referred to as for assist. Rescue crews will transfer in by land, air and water as quickly because it’s secure, he mentioned.

“These individuals are being logged, and there will probably be a response,” DeSantis mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s seemingly going to take some time for the storm to maneuver ahead in order that it’s secure for the primary responders to have the ability to try this.”

Guthrie urged residents to not exit and attempt to rescue individuals on their very own. “That may be very, very harmful,” he mentioned. “Don’t take your private boat out in these conditions. We don’t wish to have to answer yet one more downside.”

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a powerful Class 4 storm, and DeSantis mentioned it may be that solely 2018′s Hurricane Michael and 1992′s Hurricane Andrew have been stronger storms after they made landfall.

“I feel we’re going to finish up seeing that it could find yourself being a Class 5,” DeSantis mentioned. “However at a minimal, it’s going to be a really robust Class 4 that’s going to rank as one of many high 5 hurricanes to ever hit the Florida peninsula.”

Storm surge has been as excessive as 12 toes in some areas, and communities in northeast Florida, the place Hurricane Ian is anticipated to depart the state, are issuing evacuation orders in anticipation of storm surge and flooding, DeSantis mentioned. Tornadoes are also a risk. On Wednesday, seven to 10 twister warnings have been issued, and in a single hour final evening the state saw 19 to 20 tornado warnings issued, state emergency officers mentioned Wednesday night.

“This storm is doing a quantity on the state of Florida,” DeSantis mentioned.

Officers are indicating that a lot of the harm from Ian might be from flooding, which may pose a significant issue for individuals in components of the state who may not have flood insurance coverage. Residents Property Insurance coverage, the state-run insurer of final resort that covers extra residences than about some other firm, mentioned Wednesday it estimates it could see 225,000 claims from Hurricane Ian.

The corporate doesn’t provide flood insurance coverage, which largely is obtainable by means of the federal Nationwide Flood Insurance coverage Program. Preliminary estimates, additionally made earlier than landfall, point out $3.8 billion in losses for Residents, spokesperson Michael Peltier mentioned. DeSantis mentioned Residents has billions extra in surplus, nonetheless.

“They view themselves as having the ability to climate this,” he mentioned.

— Lawrence Mower

6:35 p.m.: Piney Level officers assured web site received’t be a risk

The anticipated rainfall from Hurricane Ian will increase water ranges at Piney Level, an deserted former phosphate plant in Manatee County, however web site officers say they’re ready for the storm. Piney Level has been an environmental headache because it was deserted in 2001. Read more here.

— Christopher O’Donnell

6:10 p.m.: Satellite tv for pc imagery reveals scale Hurricane Ian as eye makes landfall

5:57 p.m.: What to do if Hurricane Ian damages your own home

The Tampa Bay area is prone to see the worst of the harm from Hurricane Ian between now and midnight. Officers are asking residents to proceed sheltering till the storm passes.

Should you’re anxious about property harm, we’ve obtained you coated.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate the aftermath.

5:45 p.m.: Video from hurricane hunter reveals turbulence in eye of Ian

St. Petersburg native and NOAA Hurricane Hunter Nick Underwood shared video from a scheduled flight into the attention of Hurricane Ian that he took early Wednesday morning.

Underwood, who works as an engineer for NOAA and helps monitor the trajectory and velocity of hurricanes, mentioned the flight was the roughest he’s taken.

5:35 p.m.: Pinellas transit to renew Saturday

PSTA is planning to renew all mounted route service starting on Saturday, Oct. 1, in accordance with a information launch.

The company will probably be fully shut down tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 29.

On Friday, PSTA will probably be aiding the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Heart by offering evacuation providers. As well as, PSTA Entry Paratransit providers will probably be offering important medical transportation, the discharge said. — Olivia George

5:20 p.m.: Destruction continues in southwest Florida

Hurricane Ian continues to batter southwest Florida.

A 5:00 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center states the Class 4 hurricane is sitting about 5 miles east of Punta Gorda, and about 120 miles south southwest of Orlando.

Hurricane and storm surge warnings stay in impact for Tampa Bay, in accordance with the report.

In accordance with the replace, the middle of Hurricane Ian is anticipated to maneuver throughout central Florida tonight and Thursday morning. It’s anticipated to proceed over the western Atlantic by late Thursday evening, in accordance with the Hurricane Heart, posing danger to the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina on Friday.

Whereas the hurricane continues to devastate the south gulf coast of Florida, together with Naples and Fort Myers, most sustained winds have decreased to about 140 mph.

Tampa Bay and surrounding areas ought to anticipate 4 to 6 toes of storm surge.

4:32 p.m.: Updates from shelters in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties

As of three:50 p.m., Pasco County reported 1,264 individuals in its normal inhabitants shelters, in addition to 122 individuals within the special-needs shelters and 218 pets.

At 3:30 p.m., Hillsborough County reported 7,830 individuals evacuated to one in all its emergency shelters. — C.T. Bowen

4:25 p.m.: Watch out for scammers this hurricane season

Should you obtained an electronic mail from Tampa Electrical Co. within the final 24 hours, telling you to pay up or lose energy, ship that message straight to your junk folder.

The corporate has suspended disconnections till additional discover to give attention to Hurricane Ian, one firm worker mentioned, however that hasn’t stopped scammers from capitalizing on weak instances. The TECO consultant mentioned the corporate has seen an uptick in con emails for the reason that storm started rolling in, asking individuals for funds underneath false pretenses.

Learn more, by clicking here.

4:11 p.m.: Inmates evacuated as Hurricane Ian makes landfall

About 2,500 Florida inmates have been evacuated from their Florida correctional amenities to organize for Hurricane Ian, in accordance with the Florida Division of Corrections. The next prisons, group launch facilities, and work camps have been evacuated:

• Bradenton Bridge
• Bridges of Jax
• Bridges of Lake Metropolis
• Bridges of Santa Fe
• Ft. Pierce CRC
• Hernando CI
• Jax Bridges
• Lancaster Work Camp
• Largo Highway Jail
• Miami North CRC
• Opa Locka CRC
• Orlando CRC
• Actuality Home
• Shisha Home
• St. Pete CRC
• Suncoast CRC
• Tallahassee CRC
• Tomoka CRC
• Tomoka Work Camp
• TTH Bartow
• TTH of Dinsmore
• TTH Tarpon Springs
• Turning Level CRC

Satellite tv for pc amenities, like work camps, have been evacuated “in an abundance of warning,” in accordance with the division, and inmates have been moved into the bigger most important items which can be higher geared up for the storm.

The areas of inmates are up to date on-line about 24 hours after relocation.

The division additionally mentioned that each one correctional amenities have a generator prepared if energy is misplaced, and that gasoline provide has been checked.

Additional meals and water has additionally been ordered for prisons and amenities within the path of the storm, in accordance with the division. — Romy Ellenbogen

4:06 p.m.: Trip continues for cruise passengers as ship fails to dock

Hurricane Ian has prolonged the holiday of some thousand cruise passengers out of Tampa Bay.

The Carnival Paradise, which was scheduled to return to Port Tampa Bay this week, as a substitute prolonged a visit to Cozumel, Mexico, in a single day.

The ship is scheduled to depart Cozumel immediately, Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli mentioned, and can resume course for Tampa, “remaining a secure distance from the storm.”

The corporate will decide when Paradise can return after the U.S. Coast Guard and Port Tampa Bay assess circumstances there.

“Our ideas are with our visitors and native residents who’re affected by the storm,” Lupoli mentioned in an announcement.

Paradise had been scheduled to depart on one other cruise from Port Tampa Bay on Thursday, however that voyage has been canceled, Lupoli mentioned.

Individuals initially scheduled to depart on that cruise will probably be absolutely refunded and given a 25% credit score for future cruises, Carnival mentioned. — Jay Cridlin

3:58 p.m.: Boil water notices anticipated

The Florida Division of Well being warns Florida residents to maintain a watch out for boil water notices of their group after Hurricane Ian strikes by means of. Notices will probably be posted on-line at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/.

One discover has already been issued for some Pasco County residents, as a consequence of a water most important break.

“Prospects within the Beacon Sq. subdivision in Vacation, east aspect of Columbus Drive and west aspect of Rock Royal Drive between Moog Highway and Beacon Sq. Drive,” have to boil their water, in accordance with a media alert electronic mail.

The advisory impacts 45 properties, per the e-mail. — Matt Cohen and Romy Ellenbogen

3:41 p.m.: Hillsborough suspends on-demand transit, suspends all providers

HART suspended all public transit providers, per an electronic mail from the company.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Heart introduced that flash flooding and strengthening winds could create hazards on the roadways making it unsafe for HART clients and staff.

Earlier immediately, the company was responding to on-demand journeys exterior of the Necessary Evacuation Zones A and B. — Olivia George

3:37 p.m.: St. Petersburg mayor braces for evening forward

On the Ryan Gorman Present on WFLA Radio, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch mentioned town ought to be prepared for a tough evening Wednesday.

“We’re targeted on staying the course,” he mentioned. “We’re going to have a tough few hours forward of us by means of the evening.”

Welch mentioned town is dealing with a “important climate occasion” Wednesday evening with excessive winds reaching the hurricane stage and “fairly a little bit of rain.”

He urged residents to remain hunkered down for tonight.

At first gentle Thursday, Welch mentioned town will clear the roads. He mentioned there are reviews of downed energy strains and timber, and requested residents to “simply be affected person for one evening.”

As for energy restoration, winds should be underneath tropical storm ranges for Duke Vitality to ship their crews. — Colleen Wright

3:18 p.m.: Energy outages surpass 100,000

More than 100,000 outages have been reported throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties as Hurricane Ian reaches southwest Florida.

3:15 p.m.: Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida

Because the outer fringe of Class 4 Hurricane Ian touches down on southwest Florida, satellite tv for pc photos put the size of the storm into perspective.

Click here for a closer look.

3:00 p.m.: Movies and pictures from Fort Myers present pressure of storm, destruction

2:43 p.m.: Time-lapse from Sanibel Island reveals water dashing in

A tweet from Sanibel Island reveals the impact of storm surge over a 30-minute interval as flooding begins.

2:28 p.m.: Join Florida’s emergency contact info system

Florida has a system that can be utilized to inform family and friends in the event you can’t discuss throughout a an emergency.

It’s much like what you’d fill out at a medical appointment. Merely register your info, and that of your emergency contact, with the Florida Freeway Security and Motor Autos division, and legislation enforcement will be capable of get in contact together with your family members within the occasion that you’re unable to.

Learn more about the system and how to sign up, here.

2:20 p.m.: Police chief warns of harsher penalties for burglaries throughout storm

Tampa Police have arrested two people on misdemeanor expenses after they have been noticed with “housebreaking instruments” exterior the IKEA in Tampa, spokesperson Crystal Clark mentioned.

Police responded to the disturbance simply after midnight Wednesday, the place they discovered the 2 suspects with backpacks, walkie-talkies and their instruments, Clark mentioned.

Companies from across the Tampa Bay space mentioned they haven’t seen a spike in looting or burglaries to this point, however Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor warned in a Wednesday press convention that these accused of burglaries and looting throughout the storm will face extra critical expenses. — Natalie Weber

2:17 p.m.: Tampa hospital preps as storm approaches

An out of doors barrier geared up to deal with 15-foot surge went up round Tampa Common Hospital on Wednesday in preparation for Hurricane Ian.

The hospital is the area’s solely Stage 1 trauma heart. In its care are individuals with critical and life-threatening accidents, which implies that whereas different space medical facilities closed and evacuated this week, Tampa Common needed to plan to remain operational all through the storm.

Read more about how hospital staff took action, here.

2:09 p.m.: Castor stops by Bayshore Boulevard

Instances reporter Sam Ogozalek was with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor Wednesday afternoon, as she took a take a look at the bay.

Reverse storm surge pulled water away from Tampa early Wednesday, however that water will return and harmful surge ranges are anticipated.

1:57 p.m.: Tree blocks highway in Lithia

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Workplace reported a downed tree close to the 17000 block of Dorman Highway in Lithia.

The tree is obstructing the whole highway, in accordance with a tweet from the office, and TECO is conscious.

The tweet warned that residents ought to assume all downed energy strains are reside. Take warning.

1:42 p.m.: Energy outages bounce previous 50,000

More than 50,000 outages have been reported in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties as Hurricane Ian reaches southwest Florida. — Dan Sullivan

1:31 p.m.: From Orlando resort, Tarpon Springs couple preserve eyes on residence

On the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, evacuees from Tampa Bay – and their pets – had largely overtaken the 10-story resort. Intermittent barks and yelps permeated the foyer, bouncing off the glass ceiling.

Jack and Kelly Berrenger completed a fast stroll with their 8-year-old Bichon Frise Teddy ( Cats Rose and Violet stayed within the room). The couple paused to observe the storm pummel Fort Myers on a large tv display tuned to the Climate Channel within the resort foyer.

“It’s a bit bit demanding,” Kelly mentioned.

In a B zone in Tarpon Springs, they didn’t technically should evacuate as early as they did, however the couple made the three-hour trek to Orlando on Monday forward of a compulsory evacuation order. Jack mentioned their automobile was “stuffed to the max” with baggage, pet carriers, litter packing containers and two pallets of water from Costco.

They reside 12 blocks from the water in a single story ranch that they’re monitoring with a house safety system. “Proper now it doesn’t look too unhealthy,” Kelly mentioned. It may worsen in Orlando, nonetheless. Ian is anticipated to deliver gusts as much as 80 mph there late Wednesday night. — Mark Katches

1:25 p.m.: Flooding begins in Hillsborough County

Information from the United States Geological Survey reveals flooding alongside Little Manatee River, close to Wimauma.

Other areas to watch embrace Cypress Creek, Hillsborough River between Temple Terrace and Zephyrhills, and Peace River in Bartow.

1:15 p.m.: Towards security advisory, Tampa locals clomp round Hillsborough Bay

Seventeen-year-old Jake Brill did it for the ‘gram.

One 12 months previous Murphy, a golden retriever, did it for the mud.

It was in all probability a nasty concept, nevertheless it was so laborious to withstand clomping out onto Hillsborough Bay for the possibility to take a selfie from the opposite aspect of Bayshore Boulevard’s iconic balustrade Wednesday morning.

Similar to Hurricane Irma did in 2017, an ever-strengthening Hurricane Ian pulled the waters away from Tampa Bay’s shores in a climate phenomenon meteorologists name a “reverse storm surge.”

Boatwright scrambled to tug up roughly 300 crab traps sprinkled throughout the waters of Tampa Bay as Hurricane Ian neared. However as soon as once more, he mentioned, the scramble to brace for impression led to a last-minute sigh of reduction.

“I don’t know why it’s that Tampa Bay at all times appears to get fortunate,” Boatwright, 58, mentioned. “You may’t assist however really feel sorry for them that they’re about to tackle our storm.”

Tampa Law enforcement officials shortly gave up their struggle to maintain curious onlookers on land as a gradual stream ventured out into the Bay. As an alternative they merely drove up and down the busy thoroughfare, reminding residents that Bayshore is an open roadway and asking that they park within the median as a substitute of within the bike lanes.

Nearly as quickly because the water started filtering out, although, the excessive winds and fixed rain turned sufficient of a deterrent for a lot of touring down Bayshore to easily drive previous the unusual phenomenon.

From Whisky Joes Tiki Bar off Ben T. Davis Seaside, to the pylons and building cranes surrounding the brand new growth on the Howard Frankland Bridge, the waters surrounding Tampa Bay have been almost non-existent by 1 p.m. Wednesday. So too have been these keen to stay round for a photograph or two. As an alternative, highways and bridges turned eerily quiet as Hurricane Ian crept in the direction of Florida’s shores. — Anastasia Dawson

12:56 p.m.: NOAA hurricane hunter calls flight into Ian ‘worst I’ve ever been on.’

A hurricane hunter from the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shared photos from a flight into Hurricane Ian’s eye early Wednesday morning.

Nick Underwood, an engineer for NOAA who takes flights into storms to get info together with storm trajectory and windspeed, shared by way of Twitter that he had by no means witnessed as a lot lightning within the eye of a hurricane as he did throughout a latest flight.

Within the tweet, Underwood shared a photograph wanting exterior the aircraft’s window. It seemed like daylight.

“Perceive that that is at NIGHT. The sunshine is from LIGHTNING,” he tweeted.

“In my six years of doing this, that was the roughest flight I’ve been on,” Underwood informed the Instances.

He mentioned colleagues who’ve spent a long time chasing hurricanes agreed. — Lauren Peace

12:37 p.m.: Energy outages develop in quantity

Nearly 30,000 outages have been reported in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties as Hurricane Ian reaches southwest Florida. — Lauren Peace

12:30 p.m.: Reside movies from across the area present storm circumstances

Need to watch Hurricane Ian roll in?

Check out these livestreams, which present real-time storm results in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Anna Maria Island. — Lauren Peace

12:12 p.m.: The storm surge forecast and radar picture

12 p.m.: Tampa ‘not out of the woods’

Throughout an 11:30 a.m. information convention, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that the area is “not out of the woods but. ”Unprecedented flooding remains to be seemingly, mentioned Castor, including that Hurricane Ian will hit Tampa Bay with important rainfall later within the day. ”Please don’t let your guard down,” she mentioned, urging those that evacuated to not return but. Public security officers additionally really helpful that individuals keep off the streets and never drive across the metropolis. Castor mentioned she has spoken to the mayors of Fort Myers, Sarasota, Punta Gorda and Naples, providing assets and greatest needs. — Matt Cohen

11:46 a.m.: Photos from round Tampa Bay present storm’s impression

See extra pictures here.

11:37 a.m.: Pinellas officers: keep put the place you’re

“Proceed to shelter in place. Breaks within the climate don’t imply the storm has handed,” Pinellas County officers mentioned. “The County will announce when shelter in place and evacuation orders are lifted.”

There are about 4,500 residents in Pinellas County public shelters, and the world may expertise wind speeds as much as 110 miles per hour, storm surge and heavy rain by means of Thursday morning. The danger of flash flooding in Pinellas County stays excessive. Extended unhealthy climate circumstances may weaken timber, carports, fences, and above-ground swimming pools.

Because the storm strikes slowly throughout Florida, circumstances in Pinellas County are anticipated to worsen all through the day, even when the storm stays to the south. The Pinellas County Info Heart stays open 24 hours a day for calls at (727) 464-4333. Residents who’re deaf or laborious of listening to can use on-line chat at www.bit.ly/PinellasChat. — Colleen Wright

11:16 a.m.: Hillsborough roads unsafe, bus service stopped

Hillsborough County emergency administration officers mentioned it’s not secure to be on the highway due to the potential for flash flooding and strengthening winds. Residents ought to stay sheltered the place they’re and never try and relocate to a shelter or some other location. If there’s an emergency, they need to name 911. Crews will reply when it’s secure. If it is advisable take cowl, go to an inside room away from widows and convey water. If flooding is a risk, flip off electrical energy on the most important breaker. Individuals mustn’t depart residence till officers announce it’s secure.

Hillsborough County’s public transit company ceased fixed-route providers at 11 a.m., in accordance with an company spokesperson. Residents needing transportation can request on-demand journeys in the event that they’re exterior of the Necessary Evacuation Zones A and B. ― CT Bowen and Olivia George

11:06 a.m.: Scott makes Ian-Michael comparability

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a former Republican governor who was the state’s high govt throughout a number of hurricanes, mentioned he’s most involved about catastrophic storm surge. “The issue you’ve got is individuals take a look at the class quantity and that’s how they consider it,” Scott mentioned in a telephone interview.

The class variety of a hurricane displays wind speeds, however even decrease class storms can deliver enormous floods. Scott mentioned Hurricane Ian’s speedy intensification right into a Class 4 — solely barely underneath the wind threshold of a Class 5 — was much like Hurricane Michael, a Class 5 that devastated the Panhandle in 2018.

”It grew fairly quick, like Ian has, and sadly we misplaced individuals as a result of they didn’t evacuate. If it had began out (earlier) as a Class 5, they’d have been out of there in a second.” After visiting Florida earlier this week, Scott was in Washington, D.C. with two grandsons who evacuated from Tampa. — Emily L. Mahoney

11: a.m. forecast monitor

10:47 a.m.: Big Hurricane Ian dwarfs Charley

As Hurricane Ian grew into a monster storm it drew troubling comparisons to Hurricane Charley, which devastated Charlotte County in 2004. There was one disturbing distinction. Whereas the storms’ tracks have been shaping as much as be comparable, consultants famous how Ian dwarfed Charley. By 3 a.m., Wednesday, the diameter of Ian’s eye had grown to about 35 miles. That’s massive sufficient to suit the whole extent of Charley’s hurricane-force wind subject, Rick Knabb, a hurricane skilled for The Climate Channel, famous in a tweet. Extra on the comparability here. — Tony Marrero

10:39 a.m.: TIA will keep closed one other day

10:32 a.m.: Pasco shelters individuals, pets

At 10:30 a.m., Pasco County reported 943 individuals in its normal inhabitants shelters and 114 individuals in two special-needs shelters. The shelters are also holding 170 pets. . — CT Bowen.

10:26 a.m.: No guests at BayCare hospitals

No guests will probably be permitted in BayCare Health System hospitals after 5 p.m. immediately, the nonprofit suggested Wednesday morning. Exceptions will probably be made for obstetric, neonatal intensive and pediatric items the place sufferers can have one customer all through the storm. BayCare is providing one free telehealth go to for all registered customers of BayCareAnywhere by means of Oct. 12. Anybody with a right away medical want can get a telehealth go to by means of the BayCareAnywhere app. Use the coupon code ‘IAN’ when prompted. — Christopher O’Donnell

10:15 a.m.: Hillsborough jail evacuated

Incarcerated individuals at Hillsborough County’s Orient Highway Jail, which is in necessary evacuation Zone A, have been moved inland forward of Hurricane Ian. About 160 individuals have been transferred to the county’s Falkenburg Highway Jail facility, in accordance with a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Workplace spokesperson. As Tampa Bay prepares to lose energy, The Falkenburg jail is close to capability with 2785 out of 3052 beds full. — Hannah Critchfield

10:00 a.m.: Colleges will keep closed longer

Hillsborough County colleges will stay closed on Friday, a day longer than initially introduced, Superintendent Addison Davis introduced on Twitter. A few of the county’s colleges have been getting used as shelters.

9:40 a.m. : Huge Ian pulls water from Tampa Bay

An eerie sign of the approaching storm: Hurricane Ian seems to be pulling water away from Tampa Bay shores.

The St. Petersburg Police division noticed the phenomenon too, at Lassing Park in Previous Southeast.

Learn extra on what causes the water to recede in a hurricane here. — Christopher Spata and Michaela Mulligan

8:20 a.m.: Energy outages in Tampa Bay

As wind gusts choose up in Tampa Bay, Duke Vitality spokesperson Ana Gibbs informed Bay Information 9 the corporate is starting to see outages throughout Tampa Bay, with round 1,000 clients in Pinellas County with out energy. She mentioned Duke has roughly 10,000 staff staged throughout the state. A few of these energy line and vegetation administration crews traveled 1000’s of miles to Florida, she mentioned. “The climate proper now’s secure sufficient that line crews are persevering with to work to revive service,” she mentioned, however there’ll come a time shortly after they can’t reply till after the storm passes. Tons of of Duke automobiles are staged at Tropicana Area.

TECO in the meantime reported greater than 5,000 clients with out energy. The outages have been largely scattered all through Hillsborough County, although one space of Lithia reported greater than 3,000 individuals with out energy. One other 1,400 have been with out energy in Ruskin. Find more on outages here. — Christopher Spata and Dan Sullivan

7:48 a.m.: DeSantis: ‘It’s time to hunker down’

With the storm on monitor for landfall within the space of Charlotte County, between the borders of Lee County to the south and Sarasota County to the north, Gov. Ron DeSantis informed residents of that space that it’s too late to evacuate.

“Should you’re in a type of counties,” the governor said during a news conference on Ian, “it’s time to hunker down and put together for this storm. … This one is the true deal. … This storm goes to do loads of harm, so individuals ought to be ready for that.”

The governor described Florida as ready for the storm, with 1000’s of Nationwide Guard troops, first responders and utility staff on standby.

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Administration requested residents to remain indoors and off the roads as circumstances will probably be “extraordinarily harmful.” Should you get a climate alert for a twister, “get to an inside room with no home windows,” he mentioned. “Keep in mind it’s by no means secure to stroll by means of a flooded space” and if there’s a energy outage, name your service supplier, not 911.

“The storm is right here, it’s imminent. I do know all of the emergency managers in southwest Florida. They’ve greater than 200 years mixed expertise. And I’ll inform you, they’re getting ready for and anticipating a Class 5.” — Christopher Spata

7:45 a.m.: Sunshine Skyway Bridge closes

The Florida Freeway Patrol has closed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in each instructions after winds have been clocked between 50 and 60 mph. The bridge will stay closed till the storm passes and the inclement climate subsides, the Freeway Patrol mentioned in a information launch. Troopers suggested drivers who have to be on the roads to examine the Florida Highway Patrol Current Traffic Incidents. — Tony Marrero

7 a.m.: ‘Catastrophic’ storm surge anticipated

6:45 a.m.: Seaside entry restored

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Workplace has introduced that efficient instantly, entry to the county’s barrier islands has been restored for these with a barrier island reentry allow. The county’s evacuation orders are nonetheless in impact. —Tony Marrero

Hillsborough County has ordered necessary evacuation for Zone A, Zone B and cellular properties. Pinellas county ordered necessary evacuations for Zones A, B, C and cellular properties. Pasco county ordered necessary evacuation for Zone A. At the very least 2.5 million individuals throughout Florida have been ordered to evacuate.

For info on discovering a shelter, click on on the corresponding county: Hernando County; Hillsborough County; Pasco County; Pinellas County. Should you’re headed to a shelter, here’s what to expect.

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2022 Tampa Bay Instances Hurricane Information

HOW TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT THE HURRICANE: A school mental health expert says to let them know what’s happening, keep a routine and stay calm.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A SHELTER: What to bring — and not bring — plus information on pets, keeping it civil and more.

SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME: Storms and property harm go hand in hand. Here’s how to prepare.

IT’S STORM SEASON: Prepare and keep knowledgeable at tampabay.com/hurricane.

RISING THREAT: Tampa Bay will flood. Here’s how to get ready.

DOUBLE-CHECK: Checklists for building all kinds of hurricane kits

PHONE IT IN: Use your smartphone to protect your data, documents and photos.

SELF-CARE: Protect your mental health during a hurricane.

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PART 1: The Tampa Bay Times partnered with the National Hurricane Center for a revealing look at future storms.

PART 2: Even weak hurricanes can cause huge storm surges. Experts say people don’t understand the risk.

PART 3: Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it?

INTERACTIVE MAP: Search your Tampa Bay neighborhood to see the hurricane flood risk.