Hurricane Ian’s most damaging winds begin to hit Florida coast. Here are the latest updates
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (AP) — Hurricane Ian’s most damaging winds began hitting Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday, lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge after strengthening to the threshold of the most dangerous Category 5 status.
Fueled by warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Ian grew to a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane overnight with top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm trudged on a track to make landfall north of the heavily populated Fort Myers area, which forecasters said could be inundated by a storm surge of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters).
“This is going to be a nasty nasty day, two days,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said early Wednesday, stressing that people in Ian’s path along the coast should rush to the safest possible shelter and stay there.
Ian’s plodding pace meant the storm was expected to spend a day or more crawling across the Florida peninsula, dumping flooding rains of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) across a broad area including Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville in the state’s northeast corner.
Catastrophic storm surges could push 12 to (3.6 meters) of water or more across more than 250 miles (400 kilometers) of coastline, from Bonita Beach to Englewood, the hurricane center warned.
“It’s going to get a lot worse very quickly. So please hunker down,” DeSantis said.
Here are the latest updates:
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesMary Martin
Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida's southwest coast. (AP Photo/Mary Martin)
Mary MartinVisitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida's southwest coast. (AP Photo/Mary Martin)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesMary Martin
Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida’s southwest coast. (AP Photo/Mary Martin)
Mary MartinVisitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida’s southwest coast. (AP Photo/Mary Martin)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
Eastbound traffic crowds Interstate 4 as people evacuate in preparation for Hurricane Ian approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Lake Alfred, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackEastbound traffic crowds Interstate 4 as people evacuate in preparation for Hurricane Ian approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Lake Alfred, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
Michael Perez and Julissa Orozco, right, watch as the approach of Hurricane Ian kicks up the surf at Vinoy Park, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackMichael Perez and Julissa Orozco, right, watch as the approach of Hurricane Ian kicks up the surf at Vinoy Park, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
People ride along the bayfront as an outer band of Hurricane Ian approaches and kicks up the surf at Vinoy Park, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackPeople ride along the bayfront as an outer band of Hurricane Ian approaches and kicks up the surf at Vinoy Park, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
Kristi Burghdurf makes a photo of the sunset with her phone as an outer band of Hurricane Ian passes the waterfront of Tampa Bay, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackKristi Burghdurf makes a photo of the sunset with her phone as an outer band of Hurricane Ian passes the waterfront of Tampa Bay, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesRebecca Blackwell
A kite surfer flies in the air as they take advantage of strong winds caused by Hurricane Ian, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca BlackwellA kite surfer flies in the air as they take advantage of strong winds caused by Hurricane Ian, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesRebecca Blackwell
Kite surfers glide across the water as they take advantage of strong winds caused by Hurricane Ian, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca BlackwellKite surfers glide across the water as they take advantage of strong winds caused by Hurricane Ian, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesRebecca Blackwell
Kite surfers take advantage of strong winds caused by distant Hurricane Ian, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. Miami's skyline is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca BlackwellKite surfers take advantage of strong winds caused by distant Hurricane Ian, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. Miami's skyline is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
Workers board up the windows of a 7-Eleven convenience store in the Ybor City district in preparation for Hurricane Ian approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackWorkers board up the windows of a 7-Eleven convenience store in the Ybor City district in preparation for Hurricane Ian approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
Lukas Berlajolli, above, and Tony Fazliu help tape up the windows of a pizza restaurant in the Ybor City district in preparation for Hurricane Ian as the storm approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackLukas Berlajolli, above, and Tony Fazliu help tape up the windows of a pizza restaurant in the Ybor City district in preparation for Hurricane Ian as the storm approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesPhelan M. Ebenhack
Carlos Hermida Sr., above, and Carlos Hermida board up their business in the Ybor City district in preparation for Hurricane Ian as the storm approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. EbenhackCarlos Hermida Sr., above, and Carlos Hermida board up their business in the Ybor City district in preparation for Hurricane Ian as the storm approaches the western side of the state, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesChris O'Meara
Workers from Specialized Performance Delivered 24:7 board up the windows on the historical Henry B. Plant Hall on the campus of the University of Tampa ahead of Hurricane Ian Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. Ian is predicted to make landfall somewhere on Florida's west coast. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chris O'MearaWorkers from Specialized Performance Delivered 24:7 board up the windows on the historical Henry B. Plant Hall on the campus of the University of Tampa ahead of Hurricane Ian Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. Ian is predicted to make landfall somewhere on Florida's west coast. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesSteve Helber
A news crew prepares to deliver a report on the effects of Hurricane Ian near a statue of a flying boat Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Saint Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Steve HelberA news crew prepares to deliver a report on the effects of Hurricane Ian near a statue of a flying boat Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Saint Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesHOGP
This image provided by FLDOT shows an emergency vehicle traveling on the Sunshine Skyway over Tampa Bay, Fla., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified off Florida's southwest coast Wednesday morning, gaining top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status. (FDOT via AP)
HOGPThis image provided by FLDOT shows an emergency vehicle traveling on the Sunshine Skyway over Tampa Bay, Fla., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified off Florida's southwest coast Wednesday morning, gaining top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status. (FDOT via AP)
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Waste from Florida’s old phosphate mines a concern as Hurricane Ian approachesChris O'Meara
People walk along Bay Shore Blvd., as the outer bands of Hurricane Ian move toward shore, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chris O'MearaPeople walk along Bay Shore Blvd., as the outer bands of Hurricane Ian move toward shore, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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