IAN is BATTERING THE FLORIDA PENINSULA WITH CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE, WINDS, AND FLOODING…
…NEW WATCHES AND WARNINGS WERE ISSUED FOR NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Crystal River, Homosassa Springs, and Inverness. A Flood watch is also in effect until September 30th.
At 500 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Ian was located about 5 miles east of Punta Gorda, Florida.
Ian is moving toward the north-northeast near 8 mph (13 km/h).
On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move across central Florida tonight and Thursday morning and emerge over the western Atlantic by late Thursday.
Ian is forecast to turn northward on Friday and approach the northeastern Florida coast, Georgia, and South Carolina coasts late Friday.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Ian is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Further weakening is expected for the next day or so, but Ian could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Florida East coast tomorrow, and when it approaches the northeastern Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coasts late Friday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 50 miles (85 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km).
A WeatherFlow station in Grove City recently reported sustained winds of 95 mph (153 km/h) and a wind gust of 128 mph (208 km/h).
A University of Florida Coastal Monitoring Program wind tower recently reported sustained winds of 89 mph (143 km/h) with a gust to 114 mph (183 km/h).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 945 mb (27.91 inches).
RAINFALL: Ian is expected to produce the following storm total rainfall:
* Florida Keys and South Florida: 6 to 8 inches, with local maxima up to 12 inches.
* Central and Northeast Florida: 12 to 18 inches, with local maxima up to 24 inches.
* Eastern Georgia and Coastal South Carolina: 4 to 8 inches, with local maxima of 12 inches.
SURF: Swells generated by Ian are affecting the northern coast of Cuba, the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and the west coast of Florida. Swells will increase along the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina tonight and Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
TORNADOES: Tornadoes are possible today and tonight across central and south Florida.
SURF: Swells generated by Ian are affecting the northern coast of Cuba, the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and the west coast of Florida. Swells will increase along the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina tonight and Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.