Local / State

After passing over Cuba, Ian was forecast to strengthen further before reaching Florida as early as Wednesday as a Category 4 storm with top winds of 140 mph.

St. Petersburg and Tampa are preparing for what could be their first direct hit by a major hurricane in over a century. Officials there are urging people to comply with evacuation orders immediately.

The center of Ian is expected to move near or over western Cuba overnight into early Tuesday. Ian will then emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, pass west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday, and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday into Thursday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that the storm will knock out power in parts of the state.

Even more than the wind and rain, it's the possible storm surge of up to ten feet in places where people live that really concerns the mayor.

Hundreds of thousands of residents in the region are under mandatory evacuation orders, though some still plan to hunker down.

The map, from the National Hurricane Center, show how a hurricane — can its severity — could affect coastal areas across the state.

It includes the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Suncoast Parkway, and Veterans Expressway.

Gas Buddy is known for helping people find cheaper gas, but it has another feature that can help through a big storm.

DeSantis said the storm’s track indicated an expected landfall around Levy County, but the track remained uncertain.

Monroe County officials will decide Monday afternoon whether to close schools but already warned residents in RVs and campers to evacuate areas from the Seven Mile Bridge west to Key West.

NASA said it will continue to watch the development and forecast of the storm.