The Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, asked the public to prepare for the passage through this state of the southeastern United States of Ian, which according to some projections on Tuesday, in the waters of the Florida Straits, can become a major hurricane. category 4.
DeSantis, at a press conference this Sunday, said that due to the uncertainty of the possible trajectories of the tropical system, the entire population of Florida must prepare for the impact of the cyclone that might hit the state with maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour (210 kilometers per hour).
Some projections put South Florida, including the Keys, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, outside of Ian’s trajectory cone, but DeSantis stressed that every precaution must be taken.
“You have to anticipate, especially people who live in vulnerable areas,” DeSantis said.
MESSAGE TO NEW RESIDENTS
The official also referred to new residents in the state of Florida who are not used to suffering the effects of tropical storms, asking them to carefully follow the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center (NHC, in English).
“Measures must be taken even if the area of residence is not expected to be hit by the eye of the hurricane,” he said.
DeSantis said Florida is prepared for the event once it expands the state of emergency to the entire territory on Saturday.
The official issued a memorandum justifying the measure in the face of the threat posed by Tropical Storm Ian, as it states, “it requires timely precautions to be taken to protect communities, infrastructure and the general well-being of Florida.”
The state of emergency was declared last Friday, initially, in 24 of the 67 counties that the state has in the face of the threat of a potential major hurricane.
BIDEN APPROVES EMERGENCY DECLARATION
US President Joe Biden on Saturday approved an emergency declaration for the state of Florida and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local response efforts due to Tropical Storm Ian’s anticipated passage through the area.
The mayor of the city of Miami, Francis Suárez, said for his part that “being prepared is essential” in the face of the passage of the system.
“We want you to make sure you check your hurricane supplies,” he told the public.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the evolution of the system and has taken steps for Ian’s passage.
CROWDING IN SUPERMARKETS
Ian’s arrival in Florida and the warnings from the authorities caused the population in cities like Miami to go to supermarkets to stock up on water and groceries.
The crowds at gas stations and in shops that sell tools to face storms might also be verified in the cities of Florida.
Ian is expected to become a hurricane early Monday and reach major cyclone status before reaching western Cuba, while moving northwest near 12 miles per hour (19 km/h).
The NHC bulletin for 18:00 GMT this Sunday indicates that Ian will begin to strengthen rapidly tonight and that strong impacts in the form of winds and storm surge are expected in western Cuba.
