After a hurricane-free August, Florida is bracing for fierce storms and flooding as Hurricane Ian reaches landfall on the state’s southwest coast. Follow Breitbart News for live updates on this breaking story. All times eastern.
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2:34 PM — Florida now has 42,000 linemen, 7,000 National Guardsmen, and 179 aircraft ready to respond as Ian makes landfall, per the governor.
#HurricaneIan is making landfall now. Florida is ready to respond. We have fleets of highwater vehicles, 42,000 linemen, 7,000 National Guardsmen and 179 aircraft prepared to help.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 28, 2022
2:32 PM — According to the NHC’s 2 p.m. update, Hurricane Ian is not yet weakening, maintaining maximum sustained winds near 155 as it rides the west coast of Florida. A hurricane warning is now in effect for a portion of the peninsula’s east coast.
2pm EDT 28 Sep — Hurricane #Ian is very near the coast of southwestern Florida Peninsula.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 155 mph with a minimum central pressure of 937 mb found by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter (@53rdWRS).
Latest: https://t.co/tnOTyg5UEw pic.twitter.com/5rhfzUltE5
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022
2:25 PM — More incoming video of the eye wall of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers:
In the eye wall of #Hurricane #Ian in Fort Myers. We’re live on @weatherchannel along with @StephanieAbrams and @JimCantore #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/gSBdmAUjWX
— Mike Seidel (@mikeseidel) September 28, 2022
2:12 PM — A hurricane hunter aboard Kermit (#NOAA42) posted a video to Twitter, giving a glimpse of what he described as the “roughest flight” of his career.
“I have flown storms for the last six years. This flight to Hurricane #Ian on Kermit (#NOAA42) was the worst I’ve ever been on. I’ve never seen so much lightning in an eye,” he wrote, explaining that the shot was taken at night.
“You can see the curvature. Understand this is at NIGHT. The light is from LIGHTNING,” he added.
When I say this was the roughest flight of my career so far, I mean it. I have never seen the bunks come out like that. There was coffee everywhere. I have never felt such lateral motion.
Aboard Kermit (#NOAA42) this morning into Hurricane #Ian. Please stay safe out there. https://t.co/DQwqBwAE6v pic.twitter.com/gvV7WUJ6aS
— Tropical Nick Underwood (@TheAstroNick) September 28, 2022
OMG! Scary stuff. These are the men and women risking their lives to keep us all informed and safe. #Ian https://t.co/ukew7XTlc7
— Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 28, 2022
2:06 PM — Mike Bettes, meteorologist for The Weather Channel, posted a “rare” view of the storm surge on Estero Blvd in Fort Myers Beach, FL. According to Bettes, the camera is six feet off the ground.
*RARE* first person view of storm surge. This camera is 6 feet off the ground on Estero Blvd in Fort Myers Beach, FL. Not sure how much longer it keeps working. You’ll see it live only on @weatherchannel #Ian pic.twitter.com/WwHtvgVxjY
— Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 28, 2022
2:04 PM — Mike’s Weather Page, a trusted source for over one million followers across social media and countless Floridians, is storm chasing live as Hurricane Ian makes landfall on the Sunshine State’s west coast.
1:58 PM — Storm chasers are reporting 120 mph winds in what is believed to be Boca Grande, Florida. Others are reporting sustained winds of 45 mph in Sarasota County. Bridges typically close down after winds reach sustained winds of 40 mph.
120mph+ winds – Boca Grindr, FL #FLwx @NWSTampaBay @abcnews @weatherchannel @NBCNews @CBSNews @spann @McBeeWX @WxPatel @Wx_Geek @Oakhurst_Wx @FOXWeatherDesk pic.twitter.com/ey5G9yrjC2
— Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers (@ChicagoMWeather) September 28, 2022
Sustained winds now at 45mph. Emergency vehicles are being pulled off the roads in Sarasota County as Ian’s eyewall is now about 40 miles away. @spann #HurricaneIan #flwx pic.twitter.com/utiou22JvE
— Stephen Quinn (@StephenQ3340) September 28, 2022
1:50 PM — Earth Networks Station at Naples Grande Beach Resort reported a wind gust of 112 mph as weather conditions continue to deteriorate in southwest Florida.
1 PM EDT 9/28 Tropical Cyclone Update for Hurricane #Ian.
The Earth Networks Station at Naples Grande Beach Resort recently reported a wind gust to 112 mph (180 km/h).
Latest: https://t.co/tnOTyfORCw pic.twitter.com/ERvk04fttd
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022
1:46 PM — Winds are picking up significantly in Fort Myers Beach.
Currently in Fort Myers, Florida. Video by Loni Architects #flwx #Ian #hurricane pic.twitter.com/8nfncFlG9G
— Kaitlin Wright (@wxkaitlin) September 28, 2022
1:37 PM — DeSantis said Hurricane Ian will likely go down as “one of the storms people remember,” thanking people for their prayers for the state.
1:33 PM — DeSantis added that they will be submitting a major disaster declaration for all 67 counties, requesting that the federal government “reimburse 100 percent of the upfront costs for the first 60 days to ensure that we can quickly recover and move forward into the response and recovery part” in the aftermath of the storm.
1:30 PM — The governor highlighted the Florida National Guard’s “really impressive mobilization of over 5,000 folks as well as 2,000 additional guardsmen from other states” ready to respond.
1:23 PM — Gov. DeSantis is providing a 1 p.m. update on Hurricane Ian, which is making landfall in southwest Florida. Maximum sustained winds are still 155 mph, just short of a Category 5 storm.
1:14 PM — Gov. DeSantis has continued to combat attempts to politicize the storm, dismissing an inquiry from a reporter Tuesday and correcting the record following claims that the state has lacked in its response to the storm.
“Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Give me a break. That is nonsense. Stop politicizing. Okay? Stop it,” DeSantis said, adding, “I don’t think we’ve ever — certainly since I’ve been governor — declared a state emergency this early. We made sure that we were very inclusive with it.”
After @politicofl‘s Matt Dixon was forced to issue a correction to his fake news propaganda from this morning, ANOTHER Politico reporter wrote a new story about #HurricaneIan… nice stealth-editing, guys! pic.twitter.com/6KvLFOO17Q
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 #FloridaStrong (@DeSantisWarRoom) September 27, 2022
1:02 PM — Videos taken from Bayshore Blvd in Tampa, Florida, show the bay being “sucked out” as a result of the storm earlier this morning.
https://twitter.com/JordanSteele/status/1575103067946565633
Additional video showing the water retreating. Previous video was from Tampa Bay. Assuming this is the same? The wind is pushing all the water out, be careful once the storm moves on shore, the wind direction will change and all that water will move back in. #hurricaneIan #ian https://t.co/NsHMHnfC17
— Jordan Steele (@JordanSteele) September 28, 2022
12:41 PM –– There is currently an “enhanced risk” for tornadoes for the east coast of Florida, primarily spanning from Daytona to West Palm Beach — the latter of which is minutes away from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
Another aspect related to #Ian is the tornado risk for the Florida peninsula in outer rainbands away from the immediate center. @NWSSPC currently has an enhanced risk for tornadoes focusing along the E FL coastline near Daytona & West Palm Beach.
More: https://t.co/O0OFBubZVj pic.twitter.com/YW0rdzzM9c
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022
12:28 PM — The storm’s eye wall is moving onshore at Sanibel & Captiva Islands, per the NHC.
12 PM EDT 9/28 Tropical Cyclone Update for Hurricane #Ian.
The eyewall of Ian is now moving onshore at Sanibel & Captiva Islands.
Latest: https://t.co/tnOTyfOjMY pic.twitter.com/mQxbywROwy
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022
12:11 PM — Hurricane Ian’s potential for broad impacts — beyond the west coast of Florida — seems to be the emerging theme on Wednesday. Gov. DeSantis has repeatedly emphasized that the storm’s impacts will be broad due to the massive size of the storm and recent tracks showing it moving diagonally across the state, up to the northeast coast.
“Just understand the impacts are gonna be far, far broader than just where the eye of the storm happens to make landfall,” he cautioned on Tuesday.
Florida’s northeastern counties, such as St. Johns, have evacuations in place for certain zones, including the entire City of historic St. Augustine. Schools have also been canceled for the remainder of the week.
AccuWeather meteorologists warn that after #HurricaneIan slams into Florida, its dangers will be far from over across the Southeast as hazards both inland and along the coast are expected. https://t.co/z66YpDoLNl
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 28, 2022
12:01 PM — Various Twitter users are posting videos as the storm’s eye approaches the Sunshine State.
MAJOR storm surge Pine Island, Florida Dominator Fore Hurricane Ian eye wall pic.twitter.com/WUQHLtaQvi
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) September 28, 2022
Video from Matt Tilman of Bayshore Blvd in Tampa. The bay being sucked out. #hurricaneian #ian pic.twitter.com/F54Lv1r5KV
— Jordan Steele (@JordanSteele) September 28, 2022
WATCH: Ian’s winds here to the north are blowing water offshore in Sarasota Bay. The eyewall is roughly 55 miles to our south now. @spann #HurricaneIan #flwx pic.twitter.com/WPTBLgurK1
— Stephen Quinn (@StephenQ3340) September 28, 2022
Reed Timmer was in Pine Island, Florida this morning when conditions deteriorated further with the arrival of #HurricaneIan.
Details: https://t.co/5bMHZoGOzi pic.twitter.com/FnsgblANiz
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 28, 2022
11:52 AM — The bulk of Florida’s west coast is facing significant storm surge — up to 18 feet in Bonita Beach. The east coast of the state is also facing these risks, as the St. Johns River could see storm surge 3-5 feet, as could the coast line.
9/28 11am EDT: Eyewall of #Ian moving onshore! Catastrophic storm surge along with destructive waves are expected along the southwest Florida coast from Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor. Residents should urgently follow evacuation orders in effect. pic.twitter.com/a82s6OGus6
— NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) September 28, 2022
The eyewall of Hurricane Ian, with winds of 155 mph, is moving onshore. Catastrophic storm surge inundation of 12 to 18 feet above ground level along with destructive waves are expected along the SW Florida coastline from Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor. pic.twitter.com/kU8bVcy3qM
— James Spann (@spann) September 28, 2022
11:46 AM — West Central Florida could be facing 24 inches of rain, according to NWS Tampa Bay.
Strong #HurricaneIan is already impacting our area & impacts will continue thru Thu! It is time to SHELTER-IN-PLACE!
What to expect:
🌊 Life-threatening storm surge
☔️ Catastrophic flooding w/ 24″ rain in W Central FL
🌬️ 155 mph winds in the eyewall
🌪️ Tornadoes possible#FLwx pic.twitter.com/tN1Cti97j6— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) September 28, 2022
11:41 AM — Gov. DeSantis put some further perspective on the massive storm, warning that it is “strong as a large tornado” and to expect “strong winds, heavy rains and flooding.”
As #HurricaneIan moves across the state, with more than 155 mph winds, this is as strong as a large tornado. Expect strong winds, heavy rains and flooding.
Listen to your local officials and follow @FLSERT for updates. pic.twitter.com/q4OP9pm3sW— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 28, 2022
11:31 AM — The NHC is also warning of hurricane-force winds extending “well inland along the core” of the storm, along with “widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding” in portions of central Florida. There will also be “considerable flooding in southern Florida, northern Florida, southeastern Georgia, and coastal South Carolina.”
11 AM EDT 9/28 Key Messages for Hurricane #Ian.
Catastrophic storm surge inundation of 12-18 ft above ground level expected somewhere between Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor. Catastrophic wind damage is also beginning.
Latest: https://t.co/tnOTyfOjMY pic.twitter.com/ueCnGSMEQE
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022
11:22 AM — Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) Rapid Response Director Christina Pushaw is addressing members of the establishment media who are salivating over the prospect of the storm serving as a “test” to the governor.
Media talking point is Hurricane Ian is a “test” of @GovRonDeSantis. No – it’s a natural disaster; the governor is focused on saving lives. Stop politicizing!
If you are genuinely curious about how Gov. DeSantis responds to emergencies, see Surfside 2021. We are in good hands 🙏🏼
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) September 28, 2022
Floridians’ lives are in danger, so of course CNN is rooting for the hurricane. https://t.co/oHgZsO1XQD
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) September 28, 2022
11:12 AM — The National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) 11 a.m. advisory has Hurricane Ian maintaining its status as a strong Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. It warns of “catastrophic storm surge inundation of 12 to 18 feet above ground level along with destructive waves” along the southwest Florida coastline “from Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor.”
Hurricane #Ian Advisory 24: Extremely Dangerous Eyewall of Ian Moving Onshore. Ian Will Cause Catastrophic Storm Surge, Winds, and Flooding in The Florida Peninsula Soon. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022
11:06 AM — Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) held a brief press conference with linemen ahead of the storm’s landfall, who assured they are executing their plans as the storm approaches. The governor stated during his 7:30 a.m. press conference that the state has over 30,000 linemen ready to respond to the storm:
10:47 AM — Hurricane Ian has reached wind speeds just 2 mph shy of Category 5, per the Associated Press:
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. Damaging winds and rain lashed the state’s heavily populated Gulf Coast, with the Naples to Sarasota region at “highest risk” of a devastating storm surge.
U.S. Air Force hurricane hunters confirmed Ian gained strength over warm Gulf of Mexico water after battering Cuba, bringing down the country’s electricity grid and leaving the entire island without power. Ian was centered about 65 miles (105 kilometers) west-southwest of Naples at 7 a.m., swirling toward the coast at 10 mph (17 kph).
“This is going to be a nasty nasty day, two days,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said early Wednesday. “This is going to be a rough stretch.”