NHC Forecasts Tropical Storm Ian Will Hit Florida As Category 3 Hurricane – WESH 2 Orlando

Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian Friday night. This system is forecast to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane next week.As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Ian was expected to strengthen rapidly throughout the weekend.Ian had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located 255 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and 445 miles southeast of Grand Cayman. The system was moving west at 16 mph. “Tropical Storm Ian is expected to intensify into a Category 4 hurricane Tuesday/Wednesday then weaken on Thursday as a cold front moves into the deep creating a much more hostile environment for this storm,” WESH 2’s Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi said. See the latest maps, models and paths here Below: WESH 2 Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi digs deep into latest models”Ian is expected to remain a major hurricane when it moves generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the middle of next week, but uncertainty in the track forecast is higher than usual,” the National Hurricane Center wrote. “Regardless of Ian’s exact track, there is a risk of dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of next week, and residents in Florida should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and closely monitor updates to the forecast.”The NHC advises hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands by early Monday. The Florida Keys and South Florida can expect heavy rains to begin as early as Monday. Some flash and urban flooding is possible with this rainfall, according to the NHC.”On the forecast track, the center of Ian is forecast to pass well southwest of Jamaica on Sunday, and pass near or west of the Cayman Islands Sunday night and early Monday. Ian will then move near or over western Cuba late Monday and emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday,” the National Hurricane Center said. WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2022Surviving the season: Everything you need to know this hurricane season in Florida SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…* Grand CaymanA Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…* Little Cayman and Cayman BracA Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. The National Weather Service has urged Florida residents and visitors to gather supplies and keep tracking the forecast.Prepping for the storm: Related: DeSantis declares State of Emergency for all of FloridaRelated: Seminole County begins sandbag preps ahead of tropical storm arrivalRelated: Where to get sandbags in Central FloridaKNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUEDStay tuned to WESH 2 News, WESH.COM, or NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates.Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.Understand hurricane forecast models and cones.Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood.Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first-aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team recommends you have these items ready before the storm strikes.Bottled water: One gallon of water per person per dayCanned food and soup, such as beans and chiliCan opener for the cans without the easy-open lidsAssemble a first-aid kitTwo weeks’ worth of prescription medicationsBaby/children’s needs, such as formula and diapersFlashlight and batteriesBattery-operated weather radioWHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUEDListen to the advice of local officials. If you are advised to evacuate, leave.Complete preparation activitiesIf you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.HOW YOUR SMARTPHONE CAN HELP DURING A HURRICANEA smartphone can be your best friend in a hurricane — with the right websites and apps, you can turn it into a powerful tool for guiding you through a storm’s approach, arrival and aftermath.Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS | AndroidEnable emergency alerts — if you have an iPhone, select settings, then go into notifications. From there, look for government alerts and enable emergency alerts.If you have an Android phone, from the home page of the app, scroll to the right along the bottom and click on “settings.” On the settings menu, click on “severe weather alerts.” From the menu, select from most severe, moderate-severe, or all alerts.PET AND ANIMAL SAFETYYour pet should be a part of your family plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe space for them, could result in injury or death.Contact hotels and motels outside of your immediate area to see if they take pets.Ask friends, relatives and others outside of the affected area whether they could shelter your animal.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian Friday night.

This system is forecast to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane next week.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Ian was expected to strengthen rapidly throughout the weekend.

Ian had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located 255 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and 445 miles southeast of Grand Cayman. The system was moving west at 16 mph.

“Tropical Storm Ian is expected to intensify into a Category 4 hurricane Tuesday/Wednesday then weaken on Thursday as a cold front moves into the deep creating a much more hostile environment for this storm,” WESH 2’s Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi said.

See the latest maps, models and paths here

Below: WESH 2 Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi digs deep into latest models

“Ian is expected to remain a major hurricane when it moves generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the middle of next week, but uncertainty in the track forecast is higher than usual,” the National Hurricane Center wrote. “Regardless of Ian’s exact track, there is a risk of dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of next week, and residents in Florida should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and closely monitor updates to the forecast.”

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Now is the time to think about your plans & it is not a bad idea to make sure your hurricane kit is stocked. If we’re still in the cone Sun, start executing that plan. Mon get the preps around the house going. IF the track is still heading our way Tues, have the preps done. pic.twitter.com/KsVlr6uGoW

— Alex Alecci (@AlexAlecciWESH) September 24, 2022

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The NHC advises hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands by early Monday. The Florida Keys and South Florida can expect heavy rains to begin as early as Monday. Some flash and urban flooding is possible with this rainfall, according to the NHC.

“On the forecast track, the center of Ian is forecast to pass well southwest of Jamaica on Sunday, and pass near or west of the Cayman Islands Sunday night and early Monday. Ian will then move near or over western Cuba late Monday and emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday,” the National Hurricane Center said.

WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2022

Surviving the season: Everything you need to know this hurricane season in Florida

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

* Grand Cayman

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

* Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

The National Weather Service has urged Florida residents and visitors to gather supplies and keep tracking the forecast.

Prepping for the storm:

Related: DeSantis declares State of Emergency for all of Florida

Related: Seminole County begins sandbag preps ahead of tropical storm arrival

Related: Where to get sandbags in Central Florida

KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED

• Stay tuned to WESH 2 News, WESH.COM, or NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates.
• Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Understand hurricane forecast models and cones.
• Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood.
• Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first-aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team recommends you have these items ready before the storm strikes.

• Bottled water: One gallon of water per person per day
• Canned food and soup, such as beans and chili
• Can opener for the cans without the easy-open lids
• Assemble a first-aid kit
• Two weeks’ worth of prescription medications
• Baby/children’s needs, such as formula and diapers
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery-operated weather radio

WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED

• Listen to the advice of local officials. If you are advised to evacuate, leave.
• Complete preparation activities
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.

HOW YOUR SMARTPHONE CAN HELP DURING A HURRICANE

A smartphone can be your best friend in a hurricane — with the right websites and apps, you can turn it into a powerful tool for guiding you through a storm’s approach, arrival and aftermath.

Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS | Android

Enable emergency alerts — if you have an iPhone, select settings, then go into notifications. From there, look for government alerts and enable emergency alerts.

If you have an Android phone, from the home page of the app, scroll to the right along the bottom and click on “settings.” On the settings menu, click on “severe weather alerts.” From the menu, select from most severe, moderate-severe, or all alerts.

PET AND ANIMAL SAFETY

Your pet should be a part of your family plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe space for them, could result in injury or death.

• Contact hotels and motels outside of your immediate area to see if they take pets.
• Ask friends, relatives and others outside of the affected area whether they could shelter your animal.

from
https://collincountynewsonline.com/nhc-forecasts-tropical-storm-ian-will-hit-florida-as-category-3-hurricane-wesh-2-orlando/