Ian Makes Landfall in Cuba as Cat 3 Major Storm...Winds Increase to 125 MPH

(Miami, FL) -- Hurricane Ian continues to strengthen as it makes landfall in Cuba. The system is now a Category 3 storm with sustained winds reaching 125 miles per hour. Just after 4 a.m. Eastern, Cuba's Institute of Meteorology said the storm had made landfall. Storm surge could cause water levels in Cuba rise by as much as 14 feet above normal levels. The storm is expected to impact Florida's west coast Wednesday into Thursday. Tampa could see its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1921.

On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move over western Cuba during the next few hours. Ian will then emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico later this morning, pass west of the Florida Keys later today, and approach the west coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area on Wednesday and Wednesday night.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa

* Bonita Beach to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

* Dry Tortugas

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Anclote River southward to Flamingo

* Tampa Bay

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas

* Lower Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge westward to Key West

* Flamingo to Bonita Beach

* Suwannee River to the Anclote River

* Volusia/Brevard County Line south to Jupiter Inlet

* Lake Okeechobee

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...

* Florida Keys from the Card Sound Bridge westward to Key West

* Dry Tortugas

* Florida Bay

* Aucilla River to Anclote River

* Altamaha Sound to Flagler/Volusia County Line

* Saint Johns River

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* North of Anclote River to the Suwannee River

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* North of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass

* Altamaha Sound to Volusia/Brevard County line

* Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet

Photo: NOAA


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