Heavy rain and strong winds are lashing western Cuba after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day Ian strengthened into a category 3 storm, before making landfall in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province.
According to the US National Hurricane Center, the island’s west coast could see as much as 14 feet (4.3 metres) of storm surge.
Authorities in Cuba have evacuated 50,000 people, set up at least 55 shelters and rushed in emergency personnel.
According to the National Hurricane Center Ian won’t linger over Cuba but will slow down over the Gulf of Mexico, growing wider and stronger, “which will have the potential to produce significant wind and storm surge impacts along the west coast of Florida”.
Meanwhile, mandatory evacuations are also underway in parts of Florida amid warnings of life-threatening conditions from the potentially category 4 storm in the coming days.
There is a risk of flash flooding, strong winds, storm surge of up to 10 feet, and possible isolated tornadoes along Florida’s Gulf Coast with impacts beginning up to 36 hours before the peak.
A major storm like Hurricane Ian has not hit the Tampa Bay area since 1921. At the time just a few hundred thousand people lived in the area, compared to three million today.
Many of these people live in low-lying neighborhoods that are highly susceptible to storm surges and flooding – with little infrastructure and experience to cope.
Weather expert Dr Stephanie Pilkington tweeted: “This is one of those scenarios we’ve been warning about. The strength of #HurricaneIan at landfall plus its location relative to Tampa Bay is a recipe for disaster. If you are asked to evacuate, do it.”
The NHA has issued a stark warning to people in Florida, tweeting: “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
The tweet also featured estimated timings for when tropical force storm winds will land as the storm makes its way north through Florida.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest update on Tuesday, (at 5am Eastern Standard Time), that Ian is now expected to slow down over the Gulf of Mexico and widen as it makes it way towards Florida.
The storm is tracking towards western Florida and the region between Fort Myers and Tampa Bay, according to NHC.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will temporarily close Wednesday, 28 September through Friday, 30 September, due to the weather.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties and called up 7,000 National Guard members to help with efforts to minimise damage.
Meanwhile, officials in Florida ordered more than 300,000 people to evacuate their homes in Hillsborough - including Tampa - Manatee, and Hernando counties. More evacuations are expected to follow.