Hurricane Ian Path: Florida Braces as Tropical Storm Upgraded

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded its warning of Tropical Storm Ian to a hurricane on Monday, saying it is expected to cause "considerable flooding impacts" later this week in central Florida.

"Ian becomes a hurricane and additional rapid strengthening is expected today," the NHC said of the hurricane, which is currently in the Caribbean.

"Additional flash and urban flooding, and flooding on rivers across the Florida Peninsula and parts of the Southeast cannot be ruled out for later this week," the NHC said it a weather warning issued at 5 a.m. Eastern time on Monday.

The update said that the hurricane was moving northwest at 14 miles per hour with maximum windspeeds of 75 mph. The tropical storm has been strengthened to a category 1 hurricane as it nears Cuba, the NHC said.

As of early on Monday morning, Ian was lashing Grand Cayman with heavy rain and winds of up to 53 mph.

"Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds are expected in portions of western Cuba beginning late today, and Ian is forecast to be at major hurricane strength when it is near western Cuba. Efforts to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the NHC said.

It added that Ian is expected to be a major hurricane in the eastern Gulf during the middle of this week.

"Regardless of Ian's exact track and intensity, there is a risk of a life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of this week," the warning added. "Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches have been issued for a portion of the west coast of Florida and additional watches may be required later today."

Winds are later expected to hit other states on the east coast, including North and South Carolina, as well as Georgia and Alabama. Some of southeast Mississippi could also be affected.

Governor Ron DeSantis declared an emergency in Florida for the weekend, expanding his initial order that covered two dozen counties.

In a news conference on Sunday, the governor warned of "pretty broad impacts throughout the state."

DeSantis warned those who are new to the sunshine state to make sure their generator exhausts are going outside their residences, otherwise it could be "fatal."

Newsweek has contacted DeSantis' team for an update.

President Joe Biden approved Florida's emergency declaration and ordered federal assistance to help response efforts to the storm.

CBS News reported that residents along the Tampa Bay coast were working to pack sandbags to protect them from the worst of the floods. Long lines were seen at gas and grocery stores as people stocked up before the hurricane arrived.

Ian is the fourth hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

Update 9/26/22 8:06 a.m. EDT: This article was updated with additional information.