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Hurricane Ian Now Nears Category 5 Strength As It Takes Aim At Florida

Hurricane Ian is now rapidly intensifying and maximum sustained winds are now close to Category 5 strength as the system nears the Florida coast.


As the outer bands of the storm are already lashing Central Florida, and we see the chance for tornadoes into the next several hours, the public is being urged to be where they plan to ride out the storm by 10 a.m. Wednesday and stay there.



Ian is expected to make landfall in the state on Wednesday as a ‘catastrophic’ Category 4 storm. The National Hurricane Center says Ian is expected to cause life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida peninsula.


As of Wednesday morning, Ian was located less than 100 miles west of Naples, Florida packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph and moving north-northeast at 10 mph. If Ian reaches 157 mph or higher, it would be a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.


"This is a life-threatening situation," the National Hurricane Center warned.


Here in Central Florida a tornado watch has been issued for Orange, Brevard, Seminole and Osceola counties until 5 p.m. Wednesday.


The storm is expected to move toward the Orlando with wind and significant flooding will continue to be a major risk for Central Florida before, during, and after Ian passes through the region.



CURRENT WATCHES & WARNINGS:


A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

Orange, Osceola and Seminole, Polk, Lake counties

Chokoloskee to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

Dry Tortugas


A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

Suwannee River southward to Flamingo

Tampa Bay

Lower Florida Keys from Big Pine Key westward to Key West

Dry Tortugas

Flagler/Volusia Line to the mouth of the St. Mary's River

St. Johns River


A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

Volusia County, Flagler County, Brevard County, Marion County

Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas

Indian Pass to the Anclote River

All of the Florida Keys

Flamingo to South Santee River

Flamingo to Chokoloskee

Lake Okeechobee

Florida Bay

Bimini and Grand Bahama Islands


A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

Florida Keys from the Card Sound Bridge westward to east of Big Pine Key

Florida Bay

Mouth of St. Mary's River to South Santee River



For live updates as Hurricane Ian continues its path towards Central Florida please check out our LIVE UPDATES news page.


We will be updating you with all the latest theme park and amusement park updates throughout the storm.



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Emma Walton News Producer

Emma Walton

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