Residents of the city of Florida, United States (US) have started preparing for life-threatening storm surges, catastrophic winds and floods as the hurricane approaching close to its shores heightens to a category four.
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| The storm destroyed this home in Pinar del Rio. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo via Al Jazeera |
According to BBC:
Hurricane Ian, which has already thrashed western Cuba, will reach Florida later on Wednesday.
It is expected to hit the Tampa Bay region – among the most vulnerable places in the US for severe flooding.
Hurricane Ian was about 75 miles (125km) off the coast at 05:00 local time (09:00 GMT) when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced it had become a category four storm, as reported by air force hurricane hunters.
This means it is extremely dangerous – and is predicted to pack winds of up to 240 km/h (143 mph).
Since 1921, it would be the first direct hit of the region by a major hurricane.
“Life-threatening Storm Surg, Catastrophic Winds…” ⬇️
Hurricane #Ian Advisory 19: Hurricane Warning Extended Southward in Southwestern Florida. Life-Threatening Storm Surge, Catastrophic Winds and Flooding Expected With Ian in the Florida Peninsula. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 27, 2022
Associate director of the International Hurricane Research Center, Erik Salna, “It’s been around 100 years since Tampa had a direct hit. They’ve just been lucky for a long time.”
“Powerful Hurricane…Warnings issued for Florida” ⬇️
Hurricane #Ian Advisory 18: Powerful Hurricane Ian Emerges Into the Southeastern Gulf Of Mexico. New Watches and Warnings Issued For Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 27, 2022
According to Salna, low elevation, rising sea levels as well as a large population heighten the risk of a disastrous tidal surge. The Tampa area possesses all three.
“Life-threatening storm…increasingly likely along Florida West Coast” ⬇️
9/27 11am ET: Life-threatening storm surge from #Ian is increasingly likely along the Florida west coast where a storm surge warning is in effect, w/ the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region. Listen to local officials & check https://t.co/0BMJEA5Wz0 for updates! pic.twitter.com/Yvimd5FMzT
— NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) September 27, 2022
The region could be “unrecognisable” if hit directly, in the next couple of days, “the potential is there”, he said.
