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Hurricane Ian's latest path: 2.5 million Floridians under evacuation orders
Florida Gov. DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.
Hurricane Ian strengthened to a Category 3 storm on Tuesday as it made landfall in Cuba.
Next, Ian heads to Florida. Landfall is expected late afternoon Wednesday between Tampa and Fort Myers, though track, timing and intensity could still change.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.
Latest headlines:
Landfall in Florida forecast for Wednesday afternoon
Hurricane Ian’s track is moving south, with landfall forecast for late afternoon Wednesday between Tampa and Fort Myers.
The storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay has dropped from 10 feet to 8 feet. But now the predicted storm surge for Fort Myers has increased and could be as high as 12 feet.
About 2.5 million Floridians under evacuation orders
As Hurricane Ian heads toward Florida, officials’ main concern is the threat of storm surge and catastrophic flooding, Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.
DeSantis reiterated that there is still time to prepare or evacuate.
About 2.5 million Floridians are under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders, he said.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Tornado watches issued in South Florida
Tornado watches have been issued in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples and Key West as Hurricane Ian approaches.
The watches are in effect until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Latest forecast shows landfall in Tampa Bay area
The forecast has shifted significantly east, now with landfall expected in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night into early Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane.
This would mark Tampa Bay’s first direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921.
Slow-moving Ian is expected to drop more than 15 inches of rain from Tampa to Orlando.
Major flooding is possible in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
