Ian could strengthen to Category 4 on Tuesday
Ian, now a major Category 3 hurricane, could strengthen to a Category 4 storm Tuesday evening as it moves over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, according to NBC News forecasters.
Ian will then approach the west coast of Florida, potentially making landfall late Wednesday into Thursday morning as a Category 2 or 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Models show the storm landing somewhere between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. The system is still forecast to slow to as low as 3 to 4 mph, prolonging the impacts from heavy rain, strong wind and storm surge.
Outer bands of Ian were affecting southern Florida on Tuesday afternoon, bringing breezy conditions, heavy rain and the risk of tornadoes. A tornado watch remains in effect through Tuesday evening for Miami, West Palm Beach, and the Keys.
Biden warns of 'life-threatening and devastating' storm
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said his administration is working with Florida officials to prepare for Hurricane Ian’s landfall as he urged those in the path of the storm to follow evacuation orders from local officials.
He warned the storm could be “life-threatening and devastating.”
“Our safety is more important than anything,” Biden said. “Our hearts are with everyone who will feel the effects of this storm, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Biden said that he has approved an emergency assistance request from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and that the administration has been positioning supplies and personnel in recent days, including 3.5 million liters of water, 3.7 million meals and 700 generators.
The president spoke Tuesday with the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater to discuss preparations. Biden has yet to speak with DeSantis — the pair have often been at political odds — but Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have been in direct communication with the governor, administration officials said.
Manatee County announces it is out of sandbags
Manatee County, on the southern shore of the Tampa Bay, said Tuesday afternoon that its supply of sandbags has "been exhausted" in anticipation of Hurricane Ian's arrival. The announcement comes shortly after the city of Tampa stopped providing free sandbags, saying its distribution sites had reached capacity.
Orlando and Tampa airports announce closings
Orlando International Airport said it will cease commercial operations at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Ian’s anticipated landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The airport said that it is “prepared” for Ian’s impact and that it made the plan to close its doors and runways after having conferred with the National Weather Service, airlines and its federal partners.
Travelers are urged to contact their airlines directly for updates about flights.
Tampa International Airport also announced it will suspend all operations Tuesday at 5 p.m., with no more commercial flights.
“Right now, our priority is to protect our employees and our facilities,” Joe Lopano, the CEO of Tampa International Airport, said at a news conference Tuesday.
FEMA head at White House discusses ‘extensive’ preparations for Hurricane Ian
Disney World remains open as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, remained open Tuesday amid the approach of Hurricane Ian along Florida’s western coast — though some surrounding Disney properties are set to temporarily close.
The company said in a statement that its theme parks and the Disney Springs shopping area are “currently operating under normal conditions,” even as it prepares to make adjustments as needed based on weather data.
Tampa halts free sandbag distribution as sites hit capacity
Sandbag distribution locations in Tampa, Florida, have hit their capacity limits, city officials said Tuesday
The city announced at 11:15 a.m. that three sites offering free sandbags to the public were “at capacity.”
“If you are not currently in line, you will not be able to pickup free sandbags,” it said in a tweet.
Locals had been stocking up on the bags ahead of Hurricane Ian, which could bring 5 to 10 feet of storm surge to the state, with more than 47,500 bags distributed Monday, according to the city.
Southeastern U.S. may also see impact from Ian, forecasters say
The southeastern U.S., including the east coast of Florida, and Georgia and South Carolina, may see some impact from Hurricane Ian, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A storm surge warning was issued for Florida's east coast from Marineland to St. Marys River along the southern border of Georgia.
A storm surge watch was issued from St. Marys River to south Santee River in South Carolina, and a tropical storm warning along the East Coast was extended north to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, and south to Boca Raton, Florida.
Hillsborough County changes voluntary evacuation to mandatory
Hillsborough County officials on Tuesday changed the evacuation for residents living in the Zone B area of the flood map from voluntary to mandatory.
“Yesterday, we issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zone A and recommended a voluntary evacuation zone due to the growing intensity and size of a major hurricane in ... the likelihood that Hillsborough County will be significantly impacted,” County Administrator Bonnie Wise said at a press conference.
“We are amending the voluntary evacuation for Zone B to a mandatory evacuation. Just to be clear, the voluntary evacuation for Zone B is being upgraded to a mandatory evacuation."
Hillsborough County includes Tampa and is forecast to be in the path of Hurricane Ian. A map of evacuation zones can be found here.
Citrus County officials issue mandatory evacuation order
Officials in Citrus County, about 70 miles north of Tampa, have issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living on the westernmost coast, including low-lying areas around U.S. Highway 19.
Residents in other areas within the county, especially those living in mobile and manufactured homes, as well as recreational vehicles, were advised to evacuate.
Shelters in the county will be opening Tuesday at 6 p.m. according to officials.