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Storm Ian strengthens into hurricane as Florida and Cuba forecast to be in path | World News


Tropical Storm Ian has strengthened into a hurricane that could cause high winds, flash floods and landslides in Florida, Cuba and Jamaica, weather experts warned.

The weather system is about 90 miles (150 km) southwest of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, according to the latest notice issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday.

Authorities in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province, about two hours southwest of Havana, are preparing to evacuate people before the storm is expected to make landfall on the western part of the island en route. to Florida.

A hurricane warning was issued for Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands, along with Pinar del Rio and other Cuban provinces including Isla de Juventud and Artemisa.

The NHC tweeted on Monday morning: “Life-threatening storm surge and strong winds are expected in parts of Western Cuba starting later today and Ian is forecast to have strength.” hurricane as it neared western Cuba.

“Efforts to protect lives and property need to be completed urgently.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declares a state of emergency Amid concerns about the storm’s impact, residents are encouraged to monitor the storm’s path and prepare for heavy rainfall, high winds and high tides, leading to widespread disruptions including power-off.

Weather models predict the storm will move towards the west coast of Florida or the Panhandle region – but forecasters are currently unsure where it will make landfall.

“We will continue to monitor the trail of this storm,” Governor DeSantis told a news conference on Sunday.

“But it is important to emphasize the degree of uncertainty that still exists,” he warned.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addresses journalists in Tallahassee, Florida Pic: Tallahassee Democrat / AP
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned the storm would have ‘statewide effects’. Photo: Tallahassee Democrat / AP

“Even if you don’t necessarily have to be right in front of the path of the storm, there will be fairly wide-ranging effects across the state.”

US President Joe Biden also declared a state of emergency, as authorities began to coordinate disaster relief and assistance to protect life and property.

Mr. Biden also postponed his planned trip to Florida on Tuesday due to the effects of the storm.

NHC senior hurricane expert John Cangialosi urged people to start gathering supplies – amid rushing water and generator reports.

Residents in Tampa, Florida, queued for two hours to fill sandbags on Sunday, September 25 Photo: Tampa Bay Times via AP
Picture:
Residents in Tampa, Florida, queued for two hours to fill sandbags on Sunday. Photo: Tampa Bay Times via AP
Empty shelves with no water at a supermarket in Tampa, Florida Photo: Tampa Bay Times / AP
Picture:
Empty shelves are covered with water at a supermarket in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Tampa Bay Times / AP

“It’s hard to say follow, but that’s the right message right now,” he said.

“But for those in Florida, there is still time to prepare.

“I’m not telling you to close the shutters or do anything like that, but there’s still time to get things.”

The approaching storm also delayed another attempt scheduled for Tuesday to launch NASA’s Artemis moon mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Dr Reinhard Schiemann, associate professor at the National Center for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading, warns of the impact climate change possible on tropical cyclones including Ian.

“While the total number of tropical cyclones may not change much, or may even decrease, we would expect maximum wind speeds to increase so that the odds of Category 4 and 5 cyclones – the worst category and has the strongest destructive ability – will increase.

“It is likely that the average rate of precipitation in tropical cyclones will also increase, because warmer air can hold more water and because of higher wind speeds, the rate at which moisture is delivered to an area is likely to increase. rainfall increases.

“We also predict that the most intense phases of tropical cyclones will tend to occur at higher latitudes than we have seen in the past.”

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Here’s how climate change could happen.

In Canada, Typhoon Fiona swept away houses and knocked out electricity in two provinces after transforming from a post-tropical storm into a hurricane on Saturday.

Whereas in Italy at least 10 people died after a flash flood “water bomb”, likened to a tsunami, swept through central Italy’s Marche region in the first day of this month.

Record rain in Pakistan causes unprecedented flooding Disaster officials say it affected 33 million people and claimed the lives of hundreds, including children.



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