When Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida as early as Wednesday, bringing with it potentially lethal rain and gusts that could leave Floridians without power for days, officials and citizens are ready for a “catastrophic” natural disaster.
Florida’s top officials announced that bridges are now closed in some of the regions facing the greatest threat, including Collier, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties on the west coast, just hours before the Category 4 hurricane makes landfall. Numerous Floridians fled their homes in advance of the powerful storm, but those who didn’t are now being urged to do the same at the danger of being exposed to gusts that might reach 155 mph.
Gov. Ron DeSantis stated at a briefing on Wednesday morning that it was “no longer possible to safely escape if you are in any of those counties.” “We need to prepare for this storm by bunkering down.”
Officials started evacuating residents from more than 90 nursing facilities on Tuesday as more than two million people are under evacuation orders. The storm has already left destruction in its wake, including the the island of Cuba losing power. The Florida Keys are without power for at least 10,000 people.
The hurricane was about 80 miles southwest of Charlotte County at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and was “knocking on the door” of becoming a Category 5 storm, according to DeSantis. One of the most potent hurricanes in American history might happen with Ian.
DeSantis and other officials claim they are getting ready for significant efforts to restore electricity if Ian strikes as the storm approaches Florida. The state is also preparing for any potential flood-related search and rescue efforts. To assist in restoring power to the populace, more than 5,000 members of the national guard have been activated, and 30,000 utility workers are on standby. According to DeSantis, 26 states are helping.
He declared, “This is a tremendous, major storm.” It will have really significant effects.
According to a warning issued on Wednesday by the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian is causing “destructive” waves off the coast of Florida that are rising between 12 and 16 feet above sea level from Englewood to Bonita Beach. NHS forecasts “significant” flooding elsewhere in the state and “widespread, life-threatening and catastrophic” flooding in central Florida.
The NHC stated Wednesday morning that “preparations to preserve life and property should be rapidly hurried to completion.”
Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also urged people in evacuation zones to remain in place if they hadn’t already when she spoke on MSNBC on Wednesday. In order to ensure that they can react quickly, particularly for those life-saving operations, Criswell underlined that they have “moved the right persons and the right resources in place.”
Later, Criswell said on CNN that Miami is home to a “strong search and rescue capability” that includes representatives from the Departments of Defense, Interior, and the U.S. Coast Guard in addition to other federal and state officials.
Although DeSantis and President Joe Biden frequently spar over a variety of topics, such as immigration and Covid regulations, they seem to be cooperating amid this natural disaster. Both Biden and DeSantis “agreed to ongoing close collaboration” after their conversation on Tuesday night, the White House communications secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted.
Tornado warnings, which have already been felt in south Florida, should also be expected in the state.
The stillness before Ian’s arrival was how Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Barbara Tripp described the situation on Wednesday morning.
Depending on where the hurricane makes landfall, Tampa’s first responders are prepared and eager to assist organisations there, according to Tripp.
Tripp stated on CBS that “even with the hurricane’s change, we are not letting our guard down.”
DeSantis stated on Wednesday that even if not everyone complied with the evacuation instructions, the majority did and are treating the threat seriously.
In terms of helping individuals get back on their feet, there will be a lot of consequences from this, according to DeSantis. The focus for now is on safety.