Florida will get fucked by Ian
On average, the densely-populated state of Florida is less than 60 feet above sea level. Parts of Florida will experience storm surges of up to 12 feet as Category 4 Hurricane Ian makes landfall today. Detailed forecast maps show that serious chunks of Florida's populated western coastal areas will be several feet underwater.
In addition to the storm surges, parts of Florida will receive up to 24 inches of rain. And nearly the entire state, except for a bit of the Florida Panhandle, will experience tropical-storm-force winds. Over half of the Florida Peninsula will experience some sort of flooding over the next three days.
Millions have been ordered to evacuate storm surge zones, but experts estimate that only 1/3 of those ordered to evacuate will actually do so. Slight shifts in the forecast path of the storm caught innumerable people off guard to the south of Tampa Bay, with some areas receiving evacuation orders only yesterday. Anecdotal press reports show people planning to "ride out" the storm in the strike zone, including countless retirees. Some social media influencers plan to livestream the storm until they lose power, of course, rather than setting an example for others.
A weaker version of this storm knocked out power to the entire island of Cuba. A previous hurricane this season knocked out power to the entire island of Puerto Rico.
Insurance companies estimate damages of $60 billion will result in Florida, but uninsured damages could be a few times higher, with a million homes damaged.
The National Hurricane Center said this at 5am this morning:
Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flash, urban, and river
flooding is expected across central Florida. Widespread
considerable flash, urban, and river flooding is expected across
portions of southern Florida through Wednesday, and northeast
Florida, southeastern Georgia, and coastal South Carolina later this
week through the weekend.
Key Messages:
1. Life-threatening storm surge is expected along the Florida west
coast and the Lower Florida Keys where a storm surge warning is
in effect, with the highest risk from Naples to the Sarasota region.
Residents in these areas should listen to advice given by local
officials and follow any evacuation orders for your area.
2. Hurricane-force winds are expected in the hurricane warning
area in southwest and west-central Florida beginning Wednesday
morning with tropical storm conditions expected overnight.
Catastrophic wind damage is expected near the core of Ian when it
moves onshore.
3. Heavy rainfall will spread across the Florida peninsula through
Thursday and reach portions of the Southeast later this week and
this weekend. Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding is
expected across portions of central Florida with considerable
flooding in southern Florida, northern Florida, southeastern Georgia
and coastal South Carolina. Widespread, prolonged major and record
river flooding expected across central Florida.
In addition to the storm surges, parts of Florida will receive up to 24 inches of rain. And nearly the entire state, except for a bit of the Florida Panhandle, will experience tropical-storm-force winds. Over half of the Florida Peninsula will experience some sort of flooding over the next three days.
Millions have been ordered to evacuate storm surge zones, but experts estimate that only 1/3 of those ordered to evacuate will actually do so. Slight shifts in the forecast path of the storm caught innumerable people off guard to the south of Tampa Bay, with some areas receiving evacuation orders only yesterday. Anecdotal press reports show people planning to "ride out" the storm in the strike zone, including countless retirees. Some social media influencers plan to livestream the storm until they lose power, of course, rather than setting an example for others.
A weaker version of this storm knocked out power to the entire island of Cuba. A previous hurricane this season knocked out power to the entire island of Puerto Rico.
Insurance companies estimate damages of $60 billion will result in Florida, but uninsured damages could be a few times higher, with a million homes damaged.
The National Hurricane Center said this at 5am this morning:
Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flash, urban, and river
flooding is expected across central Florida. Widespread
considerable flash, urban, and river flooding is expected across
portions of southern Florida through Wednesday, and northeast
Florida, southeastern Georgia, and coastal South Carolina later this
week through the weekend.
Key Messages:
1. Life-threatening storm surge is expected along the Florida west
coast and the Lower Florida Keys where a storm surge warning is
in effect, with the highest risk from Naples to the Sarasota region.
Residents in these areas should listen to advice given by local
officials and follow any evacuation orders for your area.
2. Hurricane-force winds are expected in the hurricane warning
area in southwest and west-central Florida beginning Wednesday
morning with tropical storm conditions expected overnight.
Catastrophic wind damage is expected near the core of Ian when it
moves onshore.
3. Heavy rainfall will spread across the Florida peninsula through
Thursday and reach portions of the Southeast later this week and
this weekend. Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding is
expected across portions of central Florida with considerable
flooding in southern Florida, northern Florida, southeastern Georgia
and coastal South Carolina. Widespread, prolonged major and record
river flooding expected across central Florida.