Ian is a major hurricane and remained at Category 3 strength Wednesday morning.
The storm continued to move toward Florida’s southwest coast, and based on its latest trail, it is expected to have significant impacts on Central Florida.
03:45 update:
Rain from Hurricane Ian’s outer bands is already being felt in parts of Central Florida.
Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said the greatest risk for tornadoes from Interstate 4 east toward the coast will be from Wednesday morning and continue throughout the day.
Terry said residents will need to be in a safe place from Wednesday to weather the storm, bearing in mind the possibility of tornadoes and flooding.
As we go into Thursday, Terry said Central Floridians can expect power outages and areas of flash flooding.
23:15 update:
The center of the predicted cone for Hurricane Ian has shifted slightly southeast of Orlando, Channel 9 meteorologist George Waldenberger said.
Winds for the Category 3 storm remain at 120 mph.
Ian kicked gusts up to 91 mph near Dry Tortugas as it passed west of Key West, Waldenberger said. The threat of flooding increases through Thursday.
Update 10:15 PM:
Seminole County is now getting a hurricane warning.
The storm brings the threat of tornadoes on Wednesday, with winds increasing Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and flood risk increasing through Thursday.
9pm update:
Many Orange County hurricane shelters open Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.
See our full story below:
Update 5 pm:
Hurricane Ian continues to increase.
Category 3 storm winds are 120 mph.
Read: Universal, Disney World announce temporary closures ahead of Hurricane Ian
The storm is expected to make landfall somewhere between Fort Myers and Tampa later in the day Wednesday.
The Flagler County coastal area has been upgraded to a storm surge warning.
Tuesday’s updated number shows Ian moving in a little faster.
Read: Hurricane Ian: Publix stores in these Central Florida counties will close early due to storm
The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges, catastrophic winds and flooding.
Click here to see how Tom Terry follows the hurricane live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Update 4:15 pm:
Publix locations in seven Central Florida counties will close early Wednesday due to Hurricane Ian.
Publix officials said locations in Sumter, Orange, Lake (717 N. 14th St., Leesburg and 1120 Bichara Blvd., The Villages), Seminole, Marion, Osceola and Volusia counties will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Click here to read more.
Update 4 pm:
Tom Terry explains the timing of Hurricane Ian’s impact.
Click here to watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
15:15 update:
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex said Tuesday afternoon it will close on Thursday. Wednesday the regular opening hours are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Legoland Florida said it will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. The closure includes Legoland, the water park and Peppa Pig Theme Park. The hotels will remain open to guests with existing reservations.
Tickets for Wednesday through Sunday will automatically renew through December 31, and vacation rentals before the closing period will be rebooked without penalty when the call center reopens, Legoland said.
14:50 update:
Check out the latest forecast update from Channel 9 meteorologist George Waldenberger below:
Update 14.30:
The City of Orlando waives parking fees for the following parking garages beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday for any resident who wishes to park a car in a covered garage.
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Garage Central Boulevard, 53 West Central Boulevard
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Jefferson Street Garage, 62 West Jefferson Street
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Library Garage, 112 East Central Boulevard
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Orange County Administration Garage, 300 Liberty Avenue
This is for passenger cars only and height restrictions must be observed. No oversized vehicles, RVs, boats, trailers, personal watercraft, etc. are allowed to enter.
All cars must be removed by 8pm Friday, subject to weather and road conditions.
Update 2 p.m.:
SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica will be closed Wednesday and Thursday due to Hurricane Ian.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
Click here for more information.
13:45 update:
Orange County Public Schools announced Tuesday that it is canceling classes through Friday.
Read: Hurricane Ian: Central Florida School Closures
13.40 update:
Orlando International Airport will stop commercial flights from Wednesday morning due to Hurricane Ian.
Airport officials said out of great caution that the last commercial flight will leave the airport at 10:30 a.m.
Click here for more information about the closure.
Read: Orlando International Airport stops commercial flights on Wednesday morning for Hurricane Ian
11 hours update:
As Ian moves away from Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico, it remains a powerful Category 3 hurricane.
Hurricane Ian now has maximum sustained winds of about 115 mph and is moving north at 10 mph.
The new track for the storm has shifted slightly to the east and directly into Central Florida.
The storm is expected to slow as it makes landfall south of Tampa as a major hurricane.
Ian still has time to gain momentum as he crosses the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
It is expected to reach Category 4, but could also reach Category 5 as it heads toward Florida.
9 hours update:
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for most of Central Florida until further notice.
Volusia, Flagler and Marion counties are under a tropical storm watch.
Hurricane and tropical storm warnings for Hurricane Ian are in effect for much of Florida’s west coast.
State leaders warn that Tuesday will be the last day to prepare and follow evacuation orders before the storm is expected.
Original report:
Ian made landfall over western Cuba around 4:30 am with maximum sustained winds of about 125 mph.
Significant wind and storm surges are expected in western Cuba as the storm moves across the island.
Watch: Ian Threatens FL Gas Supply, But Leaders Say They’re Prepared
Ian is currently heading north at 12 mph.
There was rapid reinforcement overnight and Ian is close to being a Category 4 hurricane Tuesday morning.
The storm should be off the coast of the Florida Keys Tuesday night.
The predicted track shifted overnight, bringing the storm’s path closer to central Florida.
Watch: Hurricane Ian: Central Florida School Closures
Ian is expected to slow as it approaches Tampa and becomes a major hurricane before moving inland.
If rain tires move through Florida by Wednesday, there is a risk of tornadoes and flooding.
Channel 9 meteorologists advise people in Florida to be seated in a safe location by 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Read: Hurricane Delivery Checklist: What to Include in Your Kit
Some areas of west central Florida can see about 20 inches of rain as Ian pulls through.
Hurricane and tropical storm conditions can persist in Central Florida Wednesday through Thursday as Ian moves slowly through our area.
Read: New to Florida? 9 handy tips to guide you through a hurricane
Channel 9 will continue to monitor Hurricane Ian and will provide continued coverage on Eyewitness News.
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