Over the past several days, photos and videos of Hurricane Ian have surged on social media, especially on video app TikTok, where clips posted under the #HurricaneIan have gained 3.5 billion views.
A woman uses her cell phone to take pictures.
TikTok users are posting updates of their homes under heavy rain and wind and are using the platform to share tips and information on how to best prepare for hurricanes and stay safe while residents who chose to evacuate have shared how they prepared their home for the storm.
Many of the most popular videos under #HurricaneIan are being posted by residents of Florida without large social media followings.
A TikToker who lives in southwest Florida and already has a following for posting equestrian and barn content is sharing updates about how the storm is affecting her farm.
Holly Johnson shared videos of the storm and her family's safe room in Cape Coral, Florida, that have more than 2 million views on her website.
NBC News broadcasted a live stream of the storm that had over 50,000 viewers at one time.
More than 60,000 posts have been tagged with the word #HurricaneIan.
It is not clear how social media platforms will handle posts from users who do not follow orders to evacuate. TikTok forbids users from glorifying dangerous acts that could lead to serious injury or death. Content related to eating disorders and self-mutilation are usually removed from the guidelines. Forbes did not get a response from the parent company of TikTok and Meta.
2.5 million people have been ordered to leave the Gulf Coast of Florida. The southwestern coast of Florida is expected to be flooded between 12 and 18 feet by the Category 4 storm. At least two people were killed in Cuba as a result of the storm. Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, warned that the storm is likely to become a Category 5 Hurricane.
There is a storm minutes away from landfall on Captiva island.
Hurricane Ian could strengthen to a category 5 storm as it approaches Florida.
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