Powerful Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba heading for Florida

The powerful hurricane Ian left the island of Cuba behind and entered the waters of its western coast on its way to the United States, where new alerts are in force for the states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, reported the National Hurricane Center. based in Miami in its most recent report.

Ian is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph (185 km/h).

US meteorologists said in the 11 am report that the center of Hurricane Ian was located at latitude 23.0 North, longitude 83.5 West. Ian is moving north at about 10 mph (17 km/h).

Ian is forecast to turn north-northeastward late Tuesday and Wednesday and slow its forward speed. On the forecast trajectory. The center of Ian is expected to move over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico in a couple of hours, and is expected to pass west of the Florida Keys later Tuesday and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.

Forecasts indicate that Ian will strengthen this afternoon and into Wednesday and Ian is forecast to approach the west coast of Florida as an extremely dangerous large hurricane.

More alerts in force for Cuba and other territories

Storm surge alerts remain in force for the Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Río and Artemisa. Also for Playa Bonita to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay.

A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening flooding, from rising water moving inland from the coast, at the indicated locations.

Storm surge could raise water levels up to 4-6 feet
above normal tide levels along the western coast of Cuba.

Hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area at
Cuba until the afternoon, with probable destructive winds for a
a few more hours.

Hurricane conditions are also expected along the west coast of Florida.
within the hurricane warning area Wednesday morning.

The next weather report from the US National Hurricane Center is scheduled for two in the afternoon.

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and turn on notifications, or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.