Hurricane Ian nears Category 5 strength as Florida braces for direct impact

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Hurricane Ian has grown to a monstrous storm as it barrels toward Florida’s southern coast. Conditions there are rapidly deteriorating. The latest reports from the National Hurricane Center show the Category 4 storm has shifted to make landfall near Fort Myers late Wednesday afternoon, September 28.

At last check, wind speeds are up to 155 mph, nearing Category 5 strength, according to the Associated Press.  Folks are already seeing the effects of the storm as the outer bands thrash the coastline with strong winds and pounding rain.

The Associate Press reports that the storm appeared to track north of Fort Myers and about 125 miles south of Tampa, sparing that area from a direct hit from the hurricane. The news outlet also reports that area is popular with retirees and tourists.

Storm surges could push as high as 18 feet of water. Rainfall could top 18 inches near the area of landfall.

Forecasters have been warning folks to get out while they can, though it might be too late now. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advising people to hunker down and prepare for the storm.

More than 2.5 million people were under mandatory evacuation orders. The governor says the state is well-equipped to handle response efforts, including its 30,000 linemen, urban and rescue teams, and 7,000 National Guard troops from Florida.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also activated crews in Texas to help Florida weather the storm. Teams with CPS Energy left early Wednesday morning, as well as Texas A&M Task Force 1, one of 28 federal teams under FEMA’s National Urban Search and Rescue System.