As the hurricane barreling toward Florida’s coast strengthens to a category four storm, millions of Floridians are preparing for potentially fatal storm surges, devastating winds, and flooding.
Later on Wednesday, Hurricane Ian, which has already devastated western Cuba, will make landfall in Florida. It is expected to impact the Tampa Bay area, one of the US regions most susceptible to severe floods. It would be the first big hurricane to directly hit the area since 1921.
“About 100 years have passed since a direct impact occurred in Tampa. They’ve simply had a lot of luck, “It’s been around 100 years since Tampa had a direct hit. They’ve just been lucky for a long time,” the International Hurricane Research Center’s associate director, Erik Salna, stated.
A catastrophic tidal surge is more likely in areas with a large population, rising sea levels, and low elevation. According to Mr. Salna, all three are present in the Tampa area. If directly hit, the area may become “unrecognizable” within a few days, he said. “There is a possibility.”
According to air force hurricane hunters, Hurricane Ian was around 75 miles (125 km) off the coast when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) declared it to be a category four storm at 05:00 local time (09:00 GMT).
There are five tiers of categories, with Ian now occupying the second-highest level. This indicates that it is extremely dangerous, with winds of up to 240 km/h expected (143 mph).
Total blackout in Cuba in wake of Hurricane Ian
After Hurricane Ian battered the western portion of the island, Cuba’s government declared that the country was without power. According to officials, the electrical system completely collapsed when one of the key power plants was unable to be brought back online.
Buildings around the country sustained damage and two persons were reportedly killed.
Tuesday’s island-wide blackout, which left 11 million people without electricity, was caused by a malfunction in the national electrical system, according to the chairman of the electrical energy authority, who made the announcement on state television in Cuba.
Impact on everyday life in Florida
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On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also issued a warning, reminding citizens in an evacuation zone that “your time is running out” and emphasizing that “now is the time to act” if they had not already done so.
The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning that was 175 miles wide, spanning from Bonita Beach in the south to Anclote River in the north of Tampa, stating that there was a 100% risk of destructive winds and water along Florida’s west coast.
The locals have been stocking up on water bottles, sealing up their windows, and bringing their outside furniture inside. The week’s worth of classes has also been canceled at schools and institutions. As the storm approaches, theme parks in Tampa like Disney World, Sea World, and Busch Gardens are closing.