Ian just shy of a Category 5 hurricane as it nears Florida

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By CURT ANDERSON

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (AP) — Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified off Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday morning, gaining top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Damaging winds and rain lashed the state’s heavily populated Gulf Coast, with the Naples to Sarasota region at “highest risk” of a devastating storm surge.

U.S. Air Force hurricane hunters confirmed Ian gained strength over warm Gulf of Mexico water after battering Cuba, bringing down the country’s electricity grid and leaving the entire island without power.

The hurricane could push as much as 12 feet (3.6 meters) of ocean water ashore in Florida, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said, urging people to evacuate the danger zone if they still can. More than 2.5 million people were under mandatory evacuation orders, but by law no one could be forced to flee.

Ian was centered about 65 miles (105 kilometers) west-southwest of Naples at 7 a.m., swirling toward the coast at 10 mph (17 kph).



This image provided by NASA shows Hurricane Ian seen below the International Space Station as the storm was gaining strength south of Cuba and moving toward Florida at around 3pm ET on Monday, Sept 26, 2022. (NASA via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-ian-live-updates-6302894797cae989ff855030cf332a97?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_01

[jimfields33]

1. Devastating!

Nobody should have to go through this. I know hurricanes have been around since day one, but I can’t believe they haven’t figured out a way to stop them. The only success we’ve had is sub Sahara dust. Too bad we couldn’t figure a way to have that just stay around for six months every year. It would be expensive as hell I’m not sure if it was gonna be successful, but I wish we would try.

[Blues Heron]

20. Are you saying put fans in the Sahara to blow the dust? or scoop it up and drop it from airplanes

Not sure the scale of it is feasible

[Walleye]

3. If Biden were vindictive like Trump, I would think Florida would be at the top of his shit list. So

I really hope Floridians appreciate the difference between the two men

[yaesu]

11. I am a little disappointed with President Biden for not using his magic marker to change the storms

track back out to sea

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/04/757586936/trump-displays-altered-map-of-hurricane-dorians-path-to-include-alabama

[tanyev]

12. Such a horrible, petty man.

Former President Donald Trump made governors flatter him personally for federal aid after natural disasters, a new book says.

The revelations are made in an upcoming book, "This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future," by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, according to The Independent.

In the book, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, said Trump told governors who wanted aid: "You have to call and ask me nicely."

Hogan claimed that Trump had a policy in which only Texas and Florida, two states with governors Trump considered close allies, would be given federal aid when needed without question.

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-forced-governors-him-nicely-for-disaster-aid-book-says-2022-4

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Yup

Expectations of Hurricane Michael (2018) - level damage. Storm surge is going to be catastrophic.

Link to tweet

NHC Storm Surge
@NHC_Surge
·
Follow
9/28 7am EDT UPDATE: Catastrophic storm surge along with destructive waves from #Ian are expected along the southwest Florida coastline from Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor. Residents should urgently follow evacuation orders from local officials.
Image
7:10 AM · Sep 28, 2022

[Judi Lynn]

5. "Perfect Metaphor for Trump: Play-Doh Instead of Real Dough," DU post by bigtree:

This will bring back some totally repulsive memories. Check the disgusting images from bigtree's article:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12512375614

[mwb970]

6. Obviously, God is punishing DeSantis for his cruel, un-Christian immigrant stunt.

Right, MAGA evangelicals?

[Traildogbob]

10. We need

To make sure MTG, Boebert, especially Rubio, and all the Q Christian hear that this is GOD’s will for Florida, DeSatan, Scott, Gaetz all all the cheering and all the cruelty and lies. And make sure they need to be damn glad a real man of faith runs the country and approves help other than paper towels and Play Doh.
Rubio will be on it though tweeting scriptures to help the devastation.
When you have evil greed running your state, DeSatan ,Scott, Rubio, Gaetz, all claiming to be doing God’s work, he would be pretty fucking sick of their shit, and to the evil ignorant that bow to them all and smirk at their their cruelty.
He may have been one of those immigrants.
God works in mysterious ways, except when he is fed up. Then we all know how he works. Lots of water.

[Bengus81]

7. Come on Oil barons,gouge the shit out of everyone over this hurricane!!

Watch for it.........

[ananda]

8. Mandatory but not legally mandatory?

WTF !!!!!

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Other hazards (excessive rainfall across Central FL)

Link to tweet

National Hurricane Center
·
Sep 28, 2022
@NHC_Atlantic
·
Follow
The latest Day 1 outlook from @NWSWPC highlights high risk of excessive rainfall across a large portion of the central Florida peninsula from #Ian.

Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding is expected across this portion of Florida.

More info: https://wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excessive_rainfall_outlook_ero.php
Image
National Hurricane Center
@NHC_Atlantic
·
Follow
It should also be emphasized #Ian will be a long-duration flooding risk, highlighted by Day 2 & Day 3 excessive rainfall outlook.

Widespread prolonged major & record river flooding expected across C Florida & considerable flooding spreading SE Georgia & coastal South Carolina.
Image
Image
8:20 AM · Sep 28, 2022

[Cheezoholic]

13. Super yikes

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCUAT4+shtml/281258.shtml?

[BumRushDaShow]

14. The places expected to get surge - it's gonna be bad

Blow-out tide already underway.



ETA comparison of Ian to Charley (similar intensity but obvious Ian is far larger)!

Link to tweet

Justin Michaels
@JMichaelsNews
·
Follow
Comparing 2004’s Hurricane Charley to #Ian. ALL of Charley fits in Ian’s eye. @weatherchannel is live 24/7 to keep you informed and safe 🌀
Image
9:07 AM · Sep 28, 2022 from Tampa, FL

[Cheezoholic]

16. Yup, water levels are rising in Naples and Ft Meyers

just passing low tide. Big risk to western Pinellas county as all that water comes rushing back into the bay with the tide as the backside of the storm helps to pile the tides there. Really concerned about GA and SC also, tides have been running high there for days. A freaking thunderstorm can flood Charleston with a foot of water. Charley restrengthened pretty quick as it emerged over the Atlantic and headed that way. It was a lot stronger than many of us thought and was formidable storm as it hit up there. Luckily it didn't hang around. This one is going to last through the weekend just pissing rain.

[love_katz]

15. Sending hugs and hope for your safety to all in the path.

[Bayard]

17. Be safe, people

[OnlinePoker]

18. Here's a live tracker

Looped and updated every 3 seconds or so.

[ificandream]

19. Waiting for Trump or DeSatanist to call the hurricane liberal.