Florida emergency called as Tropical Storm Ian develops: On Saturday, Tropical Storm Ian grew stronger over the Caribbean and expect to make its way toward Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for the whole state.
On Friday, DeSantis had first announced the emergency declaration for twenty counties. But he increased the scope of the alert, advising citizens to prepare for a hurricane that may batter vast portions of Florida.
DeSantis said, “We urge all Floridians to make their preparations as this storm has the potential to intensify into a catastrophic hurricane.” “To monitor possible storm effects, we are cooperating with all state and local government partners.”
After President Biden announced a state of emergency, FEMA and DHS coordinated disaster aid and helped save lives and property. However, the president’s planned trip to Florida on September 27 postpone due to the hurricane.
By midweek, Ian is forecast to strengthen before passing western Cuba and headed towards Florida’s west coast and panhandle. The organization warned locals to follow updates on the storm’s changing direction and said Floridians should have hurricane strategies.
At 5 a.m. on Sunday, the center changed its warning, saying that the tropical storm is expected to start “rapidly intensifying later today”. And that the “risk of substantial wind and storm surge effects for western Cuba” was rising.
Ian predicts it will intensify into a hurricane on Sunday and a major storm by Monday night. On Sunday morning, the storm whirled approximately 345 miles (555 kilometers) southeast of Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands. Its peak sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph).
For the island, a hurricane warning is still in place, and hurricane watches have issued for western Cuba.
Senior hurricane expert John Cangialosi of the Miami-based center said it’s still unclear precisely where Ian will impact Florida the hardest. However, he advised citizens of the state to start making plans for the storm. Including stocking up on supplies in case there are any power disruptions.
It’s too early to tell if the issue would affect Southeast Florida, Central Florida. Or the whole state, the man added.
So the most appropriate message for Floridians is to pay attention to predictions and plan to be ready for any effects that this tropical cyclone may have.
When a Home Depot in Pinellas Park, close to Tampa, opened at 6 a.m.. A queue was already formed, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Manager Wendy Macrini said the store sold 600 cases of water and ran out of generators by early afternoon.
Additionally, some were purchasing plywood to cover their windows because, in the words of Pinellas Park resident Matt Beaver. “It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”
According to the governor’s office, the emergency protection funds released, and the Florida National Guard members activate. He emphasizes in his directive that the state is at risk for storm surges, floods, hazardous winds, and other meteorological conditions.
In another area, the Atlantic Canada Region’s Nova Scotia saw the early Saturday morning landfall of the powerful post-tropical storm Fiona. Over 500,000 people were without power in two Canadian provinces during the height of the storm. Which also tore off roofs from other homes and swept homes into the sea.
Late Friday, Fiona had changed from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm. But it continued to produce hurricane-force gusts, torrential rain, and enormous waves. No confirmed deaths or injuries have occurred.
