Tropical Storm Ian Stay Updates: Destruction Hampers Rescue Efforts; Flooding Hits Throughout State

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Hurricane Ian dragged throughout the Florida peninsula in a single day after smashing ashore Wednesday afternoon, leaving folks trapped in rising storm surge, blowing houses aside and knocking out energy to tens of millions..

Ian, now a tropical storm, continues to deliver harmful circumstances to elements of Florida because it churns towards the Atlantic. See the complete forecast right here.

Listed below are our updates because the information unfolds right now.

(6:36 a.m. ET) When The Waters Rushed In

Chief Pete DiMaria of the Naples Fireplace-Rescue division says it was “a little bit unnerving” to search out 4 to 7 ft of storm surge washing into their fireplace station on Wednesday.

“It was a little bit unnerving to be trustworthy,” DiMaria advised CNN. “We felt like we had located ourselves with plan, however the water rose up so shortly on us, we sort of retreated again into the station. (…) However it was unnerving as a result of we could not get out of the station and we had some rescues to make and it simply grew to become a tough state of affairs for our personnel to get on the market and do their jobs.”

The water ultimately retreated and rescues resumed.

DiMaria says communication is tough as a result of Ian knocked down many cellular phone towers.

(​6:23 a.m. ET) Roads Blocked In Sarasota

T​he Sarasota County Sheriff’s Workplace says it seems a lot of the county’s injury is south of Venice Boulevard.

“There are nonetheless a number of street obstructions together with fallen bushes and particles, standing water, and downed energy strains,” in response to a Twitter publish.

(​6:19 a.m. ET) Water Standing In Streets, Home windows Blown Out

I​n downtown Fort Myers, shin-high water crammed streets close to the federal courthouse early Thursday, and store-front home windows have been blown out, in response to the Tampa Bay Instances.

(​6:17 a.m. ET) Sanibel Island Is Reduce Off

It is unattainable to get to Sanibel island by automobile this morning.

McGregor Boulevard is “is folded up like an accordion, ripped to ribbons by a strong storm surge,” the Tampa Bay Instances studies.

Somewhat farther alongside, a piece of the Sanibel Causeway, the place the bridge rises from the mainland to the island, has collapsed.

(​6:06 a.m. ET) Looking out Via The Evening

The Estero Fireplace Rescue division in Lee County shared this picture on its Fb web page.

“Tonight, EFR crews have been doing their finest to clear streets and get to the requires assist that we could not reply through the storm. We started clearing roadways and evacuating people who wanted assist,” the publish stated.

“Please assist us by staying off the roadways. We will likely be getting assist from a number of companies tomorrow and all through restoration and so they want to verify the roads are protected, bushes are eliminated and wired aren’t down. It’s nonetheless very harmful on the market.”

(5:57 a.m. ET) 20 Lacking After Migrant Boat Sinks

As of early Thursday, no deaths have been reported in america from Ian, however a ship carrying Cuban migrants sank Wednesday east of Key West, the Related Press studies.

The U.S. Coast Guard started a seek for 23 folks and located three survivors about two miles south of the Florida Keys, officers stated. 4 different Cubans swam to Inventory Island, simply east of Key West, the U.S. Border Patrol stated. Air crews continued to seek for presumably 20 remaining migrants.

The storm beforehand tore into Cuba, killing two folks and bringing down the nation’s electrical grid.

(​5:43 a.m. ET) Hospital Swamped, Roof Torn Off ICU

As H​urricane Ian ripped off a part of the fourth ground roof ICU at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte on Wednesday, storm surge flooded into the hospital’s first ground emergency room.

Employees members needed to evacuate the intensive care sufferers to different flooring, the Related Press reported. Different staffers used towels and plastic bins to attempt to stand up the floodwater.

Dr. Birgit Bodine stated, “The ambulances could also be coming quickly and we don’t know the place to place them within the hospital at this level as a result of we’re doubled and tripled up.”

She stated sufferers have been principally understanding and upbeat.

“For us, as a lot as all the things is horrible and we’re exhausted … so long as our sufferers do OK and no one finally ends up dying or having a foul final result, that’s what issues,” Bodine stated.

(​5:33 a.m. ET) Flooding Knocks TV Information Broadcast Off Air

S​torm surge and a lack of energy knocked a Fort Myers TV station’s newscast off the air.

WINK stated it misplaced energy at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“We’re like everyone else,” stated Tom Doerr, director of native information and content material at WINK Information. “We’re experiencing the identical difficulties like everyone else.”

T​he station’s chief meteorologist Matt Devitt posted on Fb, “Storm surge bought into WINK, flooded out our complete set and newsroom in Fort Myers. Misplaced energy and I used to be unable to proceed broadcasting on television and radio.”

(​5:15 a.m. ET) Trapped Individuals Awaiting Rescue

Ian’s storm surge trapped folks of their homes in Collier County, dwelling to Naples, o​fficials stated in a Fb publish.

“Right here’s some powerful information you have to know. We aren’t holding again,” the publish stated.

A few of the callers have been “reporting life threatening medical emergencies in deep water. We’ll get to them first,” the publish stated.

O​thers, who stated water was coming into their houses, must wait, the publish stated. For a time, neighboring Lee County’s 911 system was down and people calls have been going to Collier County, too.

“You possibly can’t even think about these calls,” it stated.

(5:05 a.m. ET) Energy Outages Prime 2.5 million

M​ore than 2.5 million energy outages are being reported in Florida, from the Southwest coast the place Ian got here ashore, up and throughout the state to areas round Daytona Seashore on the state’s Atlantic Coast, in response to PowerOutage.us. Every outage can characterize a number of folks in a family or constructing, or a enterprise or shared utility account.

(​5 a.m. ET) Ian Causes Flooding In Orlando

I​n the center of the state, Ian dumped record-smashing rain. The Orlando metro space noticed almost a foot of rain from 4 a.m. Wednesday till 4 a.m. Thursday.

Flash flood warnings have been issued for elements of Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Volusia counties.

D​ave Puglisi, a reporter for Fox 35 in Orlando, tweeted a photograph of an ambulance caught on a flooded Orlando avenue.

“Crews are shifting via waist to chest deep water attempting to get to the ambulance,” Puglisi stated.

Wednesday, Sept. 28

(​8:55 p.m. ET) Seidel: ‘By no means Seen Something Like It’

T​he Climate Channel’s Mike Seidel posted video from Fort Myers as Ian moved in.

“We have been within the eye wall of Cat. 4 Hurricane Ian for over 5 hours and the again facet was the worst,” Seidel stated. “I have never skilled something near this in over 30 years.”

(​8:29 p.m. ET) Sheriff: ‘We Cannot Compromise Different Lives’

L​ee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno stated first responders will likely be out in power as quickly as winds drop beneath 45 mph. The explanation for that’s security of firefighters, deputies and different emergency crews. Probably the most pressing calls will likely be responded to first.

“We’re going to be on the market, these requires service, the folks which can be ready and in want, we’re going to deal with that instantly,” Marceno stated at a information briefing about half-hour in the past.

There are studies of individuals trapped of their attics by rising water.

“My coronary heart is with them. I’ve no phrases,” Marceno stated. “It’s irritating for me … however we will’t compromise different lives, too.”

(​8:13 p.m. ET) Residents Informed To Keep Away Till This Weekend

“As you’ve in all probability seen, there have been vital ranges of Hurricane Ian associated injury to Fort Myers Seashore,” a Fb publish from the city of Ft. Myers Seashore says. “Please don’t come again earlier than Saturday to permit emergency responders to deal with crucial evaluation points unimpeded and to make sure your security upon returning.”

(​8:07 p.m. ET) 4 Different States Declare Emergencies

T​he governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency forward of heavy rainfall and flooding that Ian is more likely to deliver because it strikes north.

(​8:01 p.m. ET) Individuals Trapped In Properties In Collier County

A​t round 5 p.m., the Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace posted on Fb:

“Right here’s some powerful information you have to know. We aren’t holding again: We’re in name triage mode. We’re getting a major variety of calls of individuals trapped by water of their houses. Some are reporting life threatening medical emergencies in deep water. We’ll get to them first. Some are reporting water coming into their home however not life threatening. They must wait. Presumably till the water recedes.”

(7​:49 p.m. ET) Boil Water Discover Issued

R​esidents within the Sarasota County neighborhood of North Port are being advised to boil water for ingesting, brushing tooth, washing dishes and different related makes use of for at the least the subsequent three days.

(7​:39 p.m. ET) Ian and Charley Made Landfall In The Precise Identical Spot

I​an’s eye got here ashore Wednesday afternoon close to Cayo Costa, Florida, a barrier island about 23 miles west-northwest of downtown Fort Myers.

T​his was the very same location of Hurricane Charley’s landfall on Aug. 13, 2004.

B​ut there are some key variations between the 2 storms, climate.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman writes. For one factor, Ian is way bigger and that issues for surge, wind and rain. Click on right here to learn extra.

(​6:54 p.m. ET) ‘These Are Our Properties … Washed Away’

WINK Information Anchor Taylor Wirtz described the scene in an interview as Hurricane Ian roared into the Naples space. Wirtz stated the primary flooring of houses and companies have been completely flooded and vehicles and boats floated by.

“These are our houses, these are our neighbors, these are our companies that we go to on a regular basis,” Wirtz stated. “They usually’re being washed away and demolished proper in entrance of our eyes. And it is nearly like we simply need to hold going as a result of if you consider it, it will overtake you. Simply no phrases.”

(6:41 p.m. ET) Some Counties Nearly Totally With out Energy

Greater than half of the 1.5 million energy outages being reported are in Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota and Desoto counties, in response to PowerOutage.us. Charlotte, Lee and Desoto, particularly, are nearly utterly with out energy.

(​6:27 p.m. ET) DeSantis: Each Half Of The State Will See Impacts

“There’s going to be injury all through the entire state,” Gov. Ron DeSantis stated in his newest information briefing. “And you might be seeing counties in numerous elements of the state problem evacuation orders. These are locations that a whole lot and a whole lot of miles away from the preliminary affect in Southwest Florida.”

(​4:39 p.m. ET) Buildings Destroyed, Boats Crashed In opposition to Every Different

V​ideo from Matlacha/Pine Island reveals buildings that seem like destroyed and boats crashed in opposition to one another. The island is a small neighborhood in Lee County, the identical space the place Ian made landfall about an hour earlier than the video was posted.

(3:10 p.m. ET) Ian Makes Landfall

Hurricane Ian has made landfall on the Southwest Florida coast as a robust Class 4 storm packing catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding rainfall.

Ian’s eye made landfall at 3:05 p.m. EDT close to Cayo Costa. Most sustained winds have been 150 mph.

(​2:48 p.m. ET) Sarasota County Curtails Emergency Companies

R​esidents have been once more reminded that first responders might not be capable of reply to 911 calls.

“Within the occasion of a cardiac arrest, choking, childbirth, unconscious particular person, or extreme hemorrhage, our medical director will take over the decision and supply as a lot steerage as potential,” the Sarasota County Sheriff posted on Fb.

(​2:39 p.m. ET) Sewer Plant In Hazard Of Overflowing

T​he metropolis of Bradenton says its wastewater remedy plant is full and is at risk of overflowing. Residents are being requested to preserve water by utilizing it solely when crucial. Bradenton is in Manatee County, on the south of Tampa Bay.

(2:18 p.m. ET) Over 483,000 With out Energy In Florida

Throughout the state, greater than 483,000 houses and companies have misplaced electrical energy as Hurricane Ian approaches, in response to poweroutage.us.

(2:08 p.m. ET) Vehicles Floating In The Streets

Vehicles and boats floating down streets and bushes almost bent in half are a number of the scenes Frank Loni is seeing in Fort Myers.

Loni, a California architect working within the metropolis, advised CNN stated he has “by no means seen one thing of this nature earlier than.”

He estimated the storm surge at about 5 ft. It is anticipated to go as excessive as 18 ft.

Loni stated he is together with his household and buddies on the seventh ground of a bolstered constructing.

(​2 p.m. ET) Vehicles Underwater In Collier County

The Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace stated in a Fb publish that “a number of parking garages on the coast are flooded with water OVER car roofs.”

U.S. Freeway 41 at Fifth Avenue S. was underwater, the publish stated.

Extreme flooding was additionally reported on Marco Island and the Isle of Capri.

In a separate publish, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk stated, “We nonetheless have a day of storm surge that we are going to expertise. And from all indications, it will likely be a storm surge that we have by no means needed to cope with earlier than.”

(​1:48 p.m. ET) Curfew In Naples; Roads Flooded

T​he metropolis of Naples has declared a curfew that took impact instantly. A discover from town stated roadways have been seeing extraordinarily hazardous circumstances.

M​any roads have been impassable due to flooding, the discover stated, and a couple of ft of water was coming into eating places within the 12000 block of Fifth Avenue S.

(​1:39 p.m. ET) Devastation In Cuba

A​erial video from La Coloma, within the Pinar del Río province of western Cuba, reveals roofs ripped off some houses and different homes utterly destroyed. Piles of particles are scattered about. Hurricane Ian roared ashore on the island on Tuesday, knocking out energy and killing at the least two folks.

(​1:22 p.m. ET) Extra First Responders Pulled

T​he metropolis of Venice, Florida, stated first responders have been pulled from the streets now that sustained winds have reached 45 mph. Residents needing assist are nonetheless to name 911, however these calls will not be dealt with till it’s protected to take action.

I​n Sarasota, winds are above 45 mph south of Middle Street and first responders have been pulled from that space. They will be pulled from extra areas because the winds unfold to the north.

(​12:53 p.m. ET) Waffle Home Closes 21 Florida Areas

W​affle Home, the chain recognized for an unofficial index used to gauge the severity of a storm, has closed 21 areas in Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.

A​ former FEMA administrator, Craig Fugate, created the Waffle Home Index: If Waffle Home is open and serving its full menu, the storm should not have precipitated an excessive amount of injury and the index is inexperienced; if the restaurant is open however solely serving a restricted menu, the index is yellow. And the index turns crimson when Waffle Home is closed.

(​12:50 p.m. ET) Boats Wash Aground

T​he Clearwater Police Division has shared a photograph of a number of sailboats on the shore alongside the Memorial Causeway, which runs from downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Seashore.

(​12:39 p.m. ET) Flooding In Naples, Fort Myers

I​mages on Twitter are starting to point out residential neighborhoods in Naples, Florida, being flooded by Ian’s storm surge. Water can also be flowing into Fort Myers.

O​n Sanibel, simply off Fort Myers, the storm surge knocked out a webcam that was recording as Ian’s eyewall moved ashore.

Tracy McMillion, fireplace chief in Fort Myers, advised CNN town is at the moment “within the thick of issues,” and he urged folks to remain sheltered in place.

“Now’s the time to remain inside,” McMillion stated. “One of many messages that we’re placing out there may be to remain in and verify in, discuss to your loved ones, discuss to your kin, allow them to know the place you might be.”

(12:30 p.m. ET) Energy Coming Again In Cuba; 2 Deaths Reported

Cuban officers stated Wednesday they’d restored some energy to elements of the island after the nation’s electrical grid crashed throughout Hurricane Ian.

The Vitality and Mines Ministry stated it activated two massive energy vegetation and restored vitality to a few areas on the island, in response to the Related Press.

A minimum of two folks have been reported to have died after the hurricane tore ashore on the western finish of the island, AP stated

Photographs from the nation confirmed water nonetheless standing within the streets of Havana, the capital, on Wednesday.

(12:05 p.m. ET) County Official Turns into Emotional Whereas Giving Replace

Whereas giving an replace on Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes grew to become visibly emotional.

“We ordered over 120,000 evacuations and solely have about 3,000 folks in our shelters,” Hopes stated, including that he hoped folks not in shelters had gone to a pal’s home or farther inland.

He stated regulation enforcement officers had already begun leaving the county’s islands and shelters can be locked down quickly.

“We’re about to really feel the brunt of a near-Class 5 hurricane…,” Hopes stated, then he paused, took a deep breath and regarded down on the ground. His voice cracked as he completed saying, “in our space.”

He once more regarded down earlier than persevering with with a dialogue of restoration groups.

Hopes stated as a lot as 13 inches of rainfall is predicted within the county, which can flood creeks, storm drains and neighborhoods. He additionally warned that winds would shift and blow in storm surge as Ian passes.

(​11:36 a.m. ET) Flooding On Fort Myers Seashore

V​ideo from Fort Myers Seashore, which sits on a barrier island between Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, confirmed storm surge has already began pushing water into the neighborhoods there.

(​11:24 a.m. ET) Tampa Airport Stays Closed Thursday

T​ampa Worldwide Airport introduced it stays closed and there will likely be no departing flights via Thursday.

(​11:19 a.m. ET) Not Many Individuals In Shelters

Solely about 4,000 folks have been checked into shelters in Pinellas County, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri advised CNN. About 352,000 folks within the county have been ordered to evacuate.

“So both they stayed in place or they went someplace else. I can let you know after we had Irma, in contrast, at this level we had 23,000 folks present up. So I am involved that folks did not heed the necessary evacuation order and so they’re sitting in locations the place they will be in peril after we get these winds and rain later right now,” Gualtieri stated.

Pasco County reported 943 folks in its basic inhabitants shelters and 114 folks in two special-needs shelters, in response to the Tampa Bay Instances.

(1​1:15 a.m. ET) Eyewall Shifting Ashore

T​he Nationwide Hurricane Middle tweeted shortly earlier than 11, “Extraordinarily Harmful Eyewall of Ian Shifting Onshore.” It stated the hurricane would trigger catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding within the Florida Peninsula quickly.

(​11 a.m. ET) ‘A Storm We’ll Discuss About For Years’

Calling Hurricane Ian a “historic storm,” Ken Graham, director of the Nationwide Climate Service, stated throughout a briefing Wednesday, “I want this wasn’t a forecast I’ve to ship.”

Graham stated, “This can be a devastating storm for elements of Florida, not simply on the southwest coast, but in addition inland. That is going to be a storm we’ll speak about for a few years to come back. It’s a historic occasion.”

He stated impacts are already underway and the storm would take 24 hours to cross the state.

Graham warned that 90% of fatalities in tropical techniques come from the water as he stated Ian is bringing a “life-threatening and devastating storm surge.”

The forecast requires a surge of 12 to 18 ft at its highest. He additionally stated rainfall may result in flooding. Ten to fifteen inches may fall over a widespread space, and a few localized quantities may climb above 2 ft, Graham stated.

(10:43 a.m. ET) Worries Shifting

“I’ve lived right here 43 years and by no means needed to cope with one thing like this,” stated Mari Haller who lives in South Venice, Florida, simply north of the place Hurricane Ian is predicted to come back ashore right now.

“We have been first scared concerning the storm surge, not a lot concerning the wind. And now we’re extra scared concerning the winds than the storm surge,” Haller stated.

“We’re a little bit nervous concerning the water. We reside proper on the Myakka River. We’re hunkered down,” she stated.

She stated few folks had evacuated the realm.

“Most of our neighborhood is right here. There’s solely a few those who have left.”

(​10:21 a.m. ET) FEMA Director: Most Of Florida Is In The Crosshairs

Federal Emergency Administration Company Administrator Deanne Criswell stated at a information convention, “From coastal storm surge to inland flooding, nearly all of the state of Florida is in Ian’s crosshairs.”

S​he added, “Which means we’d like everybody to heed the warnings of their native officers earlier than, throughout, and after the storm … These are life-saving messages that merely can’t be ignored.”

(​10:08 a.m. ET) Hillsborough Faculties Closed Friday

H​illsborough County colleges will stay closed till Monday, Superintendent Addison Davis tweeted. He stated that can permit staffers to wash and put together colleges.

(​10:03 a.m. ET) ‘This Is The Actual Mannequin’

Sarasota’s Police Chief Rex Troche warned residents that emergency response can be restricted if winds attain 45 mph.

“This hurricane is coming. It’s not a European mannequin. This isn’t the American mannequin. That is the actual mannequin. It’s on its approach,” Troche stated in a video posted on Twitter.

“We’re going to do the most effective we will, but it surely’s very tough to place first responders on the market and put them at risk with these winds,” he stated.

(​9:44 a.m. ET) Roads Impassable On Marco Island

T​he metropolis of Marco Island has stated many roads on the barrier island south of Naples, Florida, are flooded and Goodland Street is impassable. Residents have been requested to shelter in place.

(9​:15 a.m. ET) Water Blows Out Of Tampa Bay

Video and pictures from Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa present that winds have blown water out of Tampa Bay. With Hurricane Ian south of the Bay Space, winds are blowing towards the Gulf of Mexico in Tampa and pushing the water out of the bay. (Watch The Video.)

W​ater can also be being blown out of Charlotte Harbor, which is predicted to see a significant storm surge later right now as Ian will get nearer.

(​8:51 a.m. ET) Tampa’s Mayor Warns Now It Not Time To Calm down

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor advised CNN that although Hurricane Ian might come ashore south of the Bay Space, town continues to be not out of hazard.

The town hasn’t “even begun to really feel the wrath of Hurricane Ian,” Castor stated.

“Our considerations clearly are nonetheless the wind, I by no means thought I’d say that I used to be grateful to listen to that we might endure tropical storm or a Class 1 hurricane power winds, however nonetheless the winds,” Castor stated. “And the storm, you already know, we’re going to usher in 18 to twenty inches right into a neighborhood at Tampa Bay space that’s already saturated.”

S​he stated metropolis residents ought to keep on greater floor the place it’s safer.

“Then as soon as Ian, the results of Ian, have traveled via our neighborhood, simply be very thoughtful and conscious of the truth that nearly all of the accidents occur after the storm, with the downed energy strains, with bushes, water, standing water, simply various completely different hazards on the market that we have to take note of.”

(​8:42 a.m. ET) Residents Informed To Shelter In Place

Charlotte County officers have warned residents to shelter in place and keep off roads. Winds from Hurricane Ian have reached sustained tropical storm speeds, the county stated in a weblog publish.

Charlotte County regulation enforcement additionally suspended emergency response to requires service due to hazardous climate circumstances.

(​8:36 a.m. ET) ‘You are Not Going To Survive’ That

Michael Brennan, performing deputy director of NOAA, warned of the hazards of the 12- to 16-foot storm surge being forecast from Englewood to Bonita Seashore, Florida, together with Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda in addition to Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

“I am six ft tall. That is nearly like thrice my peak. It isn’t simply the rise of the water from the storm surge. It is the breaking waves on high of it which can be going to be pushed by these 155 mph winds. These waves can destroy buildings and mainly lay a basis to reveal right down to the slab. That is not a state of affairs you are going to survive in,” Brennan advised CNN.

(​8:34 a.m. ET) Punta Gorda Suspends Emergency Companies

The town of Punta Gorda, in Florida’s Charlotte County, has suspended emergency companies, together with police, fireplace, and EMS, due to excessive winds. Metropolis officers introduced emergency companies will resume as soon as it’s deemed protected to take action, in response to a publish on town web site. Even then, town stated, responses may very well be delayed due to storm injury, street blockage and flood waters.

(​7:55 a.m. ET) Florida Governor: ‘It’s Going To Have Main Impacts’

Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis warned the Sunshine State is in for a few “nasty days” due to Hurricane Ian.

“This can be a main, main storm,” DeSantis stated in a information convention Wednesday morning. “The strengthening of this during the last evening has been actually, actually vital.”

“It may make landfall as a Class 5. However clearly this can be a very highly effective main hurricane. It’s going to have main impacts … when it comes to wind, rain, flooding. It’s going to be a nasty, nasty day, two days.”

DeSantis stated some bridges within the state have already closed due to excessive winds, amongst them, the John Ringling Causeway that runs from Sarasota to St. Armands Key.

He additionally stated 5,000 members of the Florida Nationwide Guard and a couple of,000 members from different states are standing by to assist with restoration efforts.

Greater than 30,000 utility employees, many from different states, are staged to assist restore energy, DeSantis stated.

All advised, 26 states have despatched assist to Florida, the governor stated.

(​7:47 a.m. ET) Sunshine Skyway Closes

T​he Sunshine Skyway bridge, which crosses over the mouth of Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Manatee County has closed, in response to the Florida Freeway Patrol.

T​he bridge, which rises 180 ft above the water, closes when winds attain 40 mph.

T​he FHP stated it is going to stay closed till inclement climate from Hurricane Ian subsides.

(​MORE: Observe Hurricane Ian’s Path)

(6​:51 a.m. ET) Twister Damages Flats, Vehicles in Delray Seashore

A big tree was left dangling and a part of the roof was ripped off a constructing in a Kings Level rental complicated in Delray Seashore, Florida, after a twister roared via Tuesday evening.

One particular person was trapped in her rest room after a roof collapse, in response to Palm Seashore County Fireplace Rescue. About 35 folks have been evacuated due to the injury, the fireplace division stated in a Fb publish.

Two folks have been taken to a hospital.

The twister blew the roofs off of a number of top-floor residences. It additionally flipped vehicles and downed quite a few bushes.

(6​:37 a.m. ET) On line casino Closing

The Seminole Laborious Rock Resort and On line casino introduced it’s closing to all non-registered lodge company beginning at 8 a.m. right now due to Hurricane Ian.

(​6:17 a.m. ET) Firefighters Evacuate Sanibel

T​he barrier island of Sanibel in Lee County, Florida, is below a compulsory evacuation order, and as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters and EMS employees joined these departing, in response to WINK. Members of the Sanibel Fireplace Division advised the station they have been impressed by the variety of residents who heeded the evacuation order.

(​6:05 a.m. ET) Tobacco Farms Take Massive Blow

S​ome of Cuba’s vital tobacco farms have been devastated by Hurricane Ian, which slammed into the island’s Pinar del Río province on Tuesday as a Class 3 storm.

“It was apocalyptic, an actual catastrophe,” Hirochi Robaina, proprietor of the farm that bears his identify, advised the Related Press.

(​5:38 a.m. ET) Over 8,000 With out Energy In Keys

M​ore than 8,000 prospects within the Florida Keys are with out energy, in response to Keys Vitality Companies.

(​5:30 a.m. ET) Airport Is Not A Shelter, Official Says

T​he CEO of Tampa Worldwide Airport advised residents contemplating the airport as a shelter from Hurricane Ian to look elsewhere.

“The airport shouldn’t be a shelter. We don’t have the sources to function a shelter for autos and other people throughout a hurricane,” CEO Joe Lopano advised the Tampa Bay Instances.

P​assengers remaining on the airport when it closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday have been to be taken to close by evacuation shelters.

(​5 a.m. ET) Surge Washes Into Key West

A storm surge of 4.4 ft above the typical excessive tide was measured on Key West at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, in response to the Monroe County Fee. It was the third-highest storm surge in over 100 years.

“It was quick and sort of out of nowhere,” Dylan Estevez advised the New York Instances. “Our entire neighborhood, any home on the primary ground goes to be fairly engulfed in water.”

H​e stated water started seeping into his Key West house at about 9:30 p.m.

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