Ian is currently a Category 4 hurricane as it makes landfall on the Florida coast of the United States.
Hurricane Ian is hitting the Florida coast of the United States. Ian has now become a category-4 hurricane.
The hurricane is moving toward Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday. Local residents are leaving the area in search of safe shelter to escape the storm.
In the latest update on the storm, the US National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Ian was located about 80 miles southwest of Punta Gorda, Florida. Yan's maximum wind speed is 155 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that the hurricane will continue to develop as a Category 4 hurricane, but may weaken after making landfall.
Florida Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie warned of widespread power outages and possible tornadoes in the wake of the hurricane.
In the morning press conference, Kevin told people, “Stay at home. Stay away from windows.”
Florida Governor Lee has warned people in several counties, including Charlotte, and Sarasota, that it is not safe to go anywhere else and advised them to stay indoors and off the roads.
"Now is the time to stand still and prepare for the storm," he said. It is a very strong storm.”
Ian has been on rampages in Cuba before. The entire Caribbean island nation was left without power after Yan's impact on the western tip of Cuba caused grid disruption.
Myleen Suarez, who sells ice cream on the street, called the night that Cyclone Ian came through "the darkest time of her life".
“The roof of our house was almost blown off. My daughter, my husband and I tie the roof together with ropes so that it doesn't blow away," a trembling Suarez told Reuters.
This strong cyclone has claimed the lives of 2 people in the western part of Cuba, according to the country's state-run media.
The weather agency said the hurricane, which made landfall in Florida on Wednesday, could bring heavy rains and flooding in various parts of Florida.
In addition, the hurricane center has also warned of the risk of flooding from 9 to 14 feet, including landslides.