One of the most dangerous storms to hit the US in years has left 2.4 million homes and businesses in Florida without power and floodwaters surging inland.
Hurricane Ian made landfall at around 15:10 local time (19:10 GMT) on Wednesday, smashing into the coast with wind speeds of up to 241 kilometers per hour.
The category four hurricane was later downgraded to a tropical storm.
However, Floridians were warned that the most dangerous 24 hours lay ahead and the mayor of Tampa urged people to shelter in place through the night.
“We are going to get the majority of the rain and the higher winds starting about 20:00, and they are going to last throughout the night,” Jane Castor said during a Wednesday evening briefing.
Residents were ordered to leave their homes, but many have decided to remain and seek shelter indoors.
Mark Pritchett, who lives in the city of Venice, some 95km (60 miles) south of Tampa, described the “terrifying” moment he stepped outside his home as the hurricane made its way across the Gulf of Mexico.
“Rain shooting like needles. My street is a river,” he said in a text message to the Associated Press news agency.
As a result, a curfew has been declared “until further notice”.
State Governor Ron DeSantis described Ian as the “biggest flood event” southwest Florida had ever seen and announced that 7,000 National Guard troops are ready to lead rescue operations in flood zones.
President Joe Biden will receive a briefing on Thursday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ian is now continuing to move north through Florida. Jacksonville International Airport, based in north-east Florida, cancelled all flights scheduled for Thursday.
BBC/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko
Subscribe to our Telegram Channel and join our Whatsapp Update Group
pub-5160901092443552
Related Posts
