September 28, 2022
Ian Continuing to Batter the Florida Peninsula With Winds, Storm Surge, and Flooding. Expected to Move Into the Atlantic Tomorrow.
The National Hurricane Center with a Wednesday night update on Hurricane Ian — one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in the United States.
Why It Matters: Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida on Wednesday afternoon as a category 4 hurricane with 150 miles per hour winds, leaving more than 2 million people without power and many others trapped in flooded homes.
- The New York Times reports: “Some places remained too dangerous for water rescues, officials said, adding that they were taking down addresses to deploy resources once it was safe.”
- Since making landfall, the storm has weakened into a category 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds. It is expected to briefly move through the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday before moving back into the U.S., likely as a tropical storm (winds of 74 mph).
- The National Hurricane Center has warned of high winds and life-threatening, widespread flooding which is expected throughout Florida on Thursday. Flooding is also expected in southeastern Georgia and eastern South Carolina.
- Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have all declared states of emergency in preparation for the storm’s potential impact later this week and throughout the weekend.
Big Picture: This is a developing story. Storm surge continues to cause significant damage in Florida. What is “storm surge”? According to the National Hurricane Center, storm surge is “an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm,” and “is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane.”
Live Updates: Flooding and Power Outages Grow as Ian Moves Inland (The New York Times)
People trapped, hospital damaged after Ian swamps SW Florida (The Associated Press)
Hurricane Ian winds down to Category 1 as it heads to Orlando (Orlando Sentinel)
by Jenna Lee,
