Ian will hit Florida as a powerful hurricane

Tropical Depression No. 9 strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian Friday night. The system is expected to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane next week. Tropical Storm Ian is expected to intensify rapidly throughout the weekend as of 11 p.m. Saturday. Ian had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was located 395 miles southeast of Grand Cayman and 685 miles southeast of the Cuban tip. The system is moving west at 13 miles per hour. “Tropical Storm Ian is expected to intensify into a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday/Wednesday before weakening on Thursday as the cold front moves deep into the depths, creating a more severe environment for the storm,” WESH 2 Chief Meteorologist Tony Minorfi said. See the latest maps, models, and paths below: WESH 2’s Tony Mainolfi and Alex Alecci answer Tropical Storm Ian’s questions Tropical Storm Ian is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday, then later on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center Continue to strengthen. “Ian expects it to remain a major hurricane by mid-next week as it generally moves northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, but with higher uncertainty than usual in long-term path and intensity forecasts,” the National Hurricane Center wrote. “Regardless of Ian’s exact trajectory and intensity, with the Florida West Coast and Florida Panhandle at risk of dangerous storm surges, hurricanes and heavy rainfall by mid-next week, Florida residents should ensure they have a hurricane plan and follow local Any advice from officials and keep an eye on forecast updates.” The NHC suggested hurricane conditions could be expected in the Cayman Islands early Monday. Heavy rain is expected to start as early as Monday in the Florida Keys and South Florida. According to the NHC, this rain could cause some flash floods and urban flooding. “On the forecast track, Ian’s centre is expected to pass southwest of Jamaica on Sunday and near or west of the Cayman Islands early Monday. Ian will then pass west of Cuba on Monday night and early Tuesday. or move over and appear in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday,” the National Hurricane Center said. WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2022 Getting Through This Season: Everything You Need to Know This Hurricane Season in Florida Valid Watches and Warnings Summary: Hurricane Warnings Valid for…*Grand Cayman Hurricane Watches Valid for…* Cuba’s Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa Tropical Storm Watches are for…* Little Cayman and Cayman Brac* Cuba’s La Havana, Mayabec and Ma The Tanzas Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are likely in the viewing area. Watches are typically issued 48 hours before the first expected tropical storm strong winds, a condition that can make external preparations difficult or dangerous. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are likely within the observed area, usually within 48 hours. The National Weather Service has urged Florida residents and visitors to gather supplies and continue to track forecasts. Preparing for the storm: RELATED: DeSantis declares state of emergency for all of Florida RELATED: Seminole County begins sandbag preparations ahead of tropical storm RELATED: Where to go for sandbags in Central Florida Know what to do when hurricane watch is issued Stay tuned to WESH 2 News, WESH.COM or the NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates. Be prepared to remove any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that might be blown up by the wind. Learn about hurricane forecast models and cones. Get ready to cover all the windows of your home. If shutters are not installed, use pre-cut plywood. Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water and medication. The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team recommends that you have these items on hand before a storm hits. Bottled water: one gallon of water per person per day Canned foods and soups such as beans and chili can openers, cans without easy-open lids Assembled first aid kit Two weeks of prescription medications Baby/child needs such as formula and diapers Flashlights and batteries What to do when a battery-powered weather radio issues a hurricane warning Get advice from local officials. If you are advised to evacuate, please leave. Complete the preparation activities. If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows. Watch out for tornadoes. Tornadoes can occur during and after a hurricane. Stay indoors, in the middle of your home, in a closet, or in a windowless bathroom. Smartphones help during hurricanes Smartphones can be a hurricane’s best friend—with the right website and app, you can turn it into a powerful tool for guiding you through the storm’s approach, arrival, and consequences. Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS | Android to enable emergency alerts – if you have an iPhone, select Settings, then go to Notifications. From there, look for government alerts and enable emergency alerts. If you have an Android phone, from the app’s home page, scroll right along the bottom and click Settings. On the Settings menu, click Severe Weather Alerts. Select from the menu Most Severe, Moderate Severe or All Alerts Pet and Animal Safety Your pet should be part of your family plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do is to protect your pets and evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe space for them, can result in injury or death. Contact hotels and motels outside your area to see if they are taking pets. Ask friends, relatives and others outside the affected area if they can shelter your animal.