Hurricane Ian Hits Cuba As Category 3 Storm On Approach To Florida

The new date is Sep 27, 2022.

Hurricane Ian intensified into a Category 3 storm on Tuesday and made landfall over Cuba, where it is expected to unload strong winds, heavy rains and dangerous storm surge and gather strength heading towards Florida, where it could make strike as a potent Category 4 Hurricane.

The center reported at 2:30 a.m. that the storm had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The time is eastern.

Ian is expected to bring storm surge that could raise water levels as much as 14 feet along Cuba's coast and unleash life threatening winds and rains that could cause mud slides and flash flooding.

Ian is expected to strengthen further as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida, where it could become a Category 4 Hurricane as early as Wednesday.

According to the NHC, Ian is expected to bring life threatening storm surge to much of Florida's west coast.

The NHC warned that there could be flooding in central and northern Florida later in the week due to the heavy rain.

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Ian is the first significant threat to the US mainland this year. The governor declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm and urged all residents to prepare for the storm. It looks as if Ian is going to hit the area with a direct hit. Thousands of people have been evacuated in Cuba in anticipation of Ian'sarrival.

Here's what to expect as a storm nears Cuba and Florida.

Here is why hurricanes are getting stronger and faster.