Hurricane Ian leaves at least 11 dead in Florida as it heads toward Carolinas

Hurricane Ian left Florida behind late Thursday, growing from a downgraded tropical storm back to a hurricane on its way to the Carolinas. Across Florida, the monster storm caused catastrophic devastation, flooding and at least 11 deaths, with many more expected. President Joe Biden said Ian “could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history,” responsible for a “substantial loss of life.” Advertisement Preliminary reports of lives lost include six in Charlotte County; two in... Read More

‘No reason to come … there’s nothing here.’ Florida residents in shock at devastation left in Hurricane Ian’s wake

FORT MYERS — Eerie scenes of destruction punctuated by jarring lighthearted moments replayed themselves over and over along Florida’s Gulf coast on Thursday as residents who fled the wrath of Hurricane Ian returned to discover what’s left of their homes. Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the U.S., made landfall first near Coya Costa, an island off Fort Myers, and then finally on the mainland near Punta Gorda, on Wednesday. For hours, the near-Category 5... Read More

Gunman outside Publix dies after deputy shot him

The man who fired a gun outside a Publix in Greenacres and then was shot by a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy died Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said. The 21-year-old shooter, Jose Villanueva, was hospitalized in critical condition after deputies shot him in the parking lot. Advertisement On Tuesday evening just after 6 p.m. outside the Publix at Military Crossing in Greenacres, Villanueva waved a gun around and fired it three times into the air, according to the Sheriff’s... Read More

MAP: Here’s the updated forecast track of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian is off the coast of Florida where it regained strength on a track toward South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane warnings are in effect for the entire coast of South Carolina, with watches extending in Georgia and North Carolina. Ian is forecast to make landfall just north of Charleston, according to the Thursday evening hurricane center update. Advertisement Here’s the latest forecast track including the so-called “spaghetti models,”... Read More

Possible ‘deadliest hurricane in Florida history’ heads for Carolinas as Tropical Storm Ian

Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday as it leaves Florida behind, only to become a hurricane again this evening on its way to the Carolinas. Across Florida, the storm’s consequences linger long after the eye has passed, as more storm surge and flooding continue to threaten residents across the state. “The amount of water that has been rising and will likely continue to rise today, even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flood event,” Gov. Ron DeSantis... Read More

‘Catastrophic’ Hurricane Ian swamps southwest Florida, trapping people in homes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the U.S., swamped southwest Florida on Wednesday, turning streets into rivers, knocking out power to 1.8 million people and threatening catastrophic damage further inland. A coastal sheriff’s office reported that it was getting many calls from people trapped in flooded homes. Desperate people posted to Facebook and other social sites, pleading for rescue for themselves or loved ones. Some video... Read More

Will Hurricane Ian hit Gainesville? Here’s the latest forecast path

After making landfall Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Ian was tracking over central Florida overnight south of Gainesville and is expected to move off the east coast of Florida Thursday morning near Titusville. The storm has weakened to Category 2 and should continue to deteriorate, the National Hurricane Center said. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect for the the east coast of Florida north of Broward County but have been cancelled in many other parts of the... Read More

Will Hurricane Ian hit Orlando? Here’s the latest forecast path

The Orlando metro area remains a under hurricane warning as Hurricane Ian tracks about 70 miles south of the city on a track toward the coast, the National Hurricane Center said. After making landfall Wednesday afternoon, Ian was tracking over central Florida overnight and is expected to move off the east coast of Florida Thursday morning near Titusville. The storm has weakened to Category 2 and should continue to deteriorate, the National Hurricane Center said. Advertisement Hurricane... Read More

Hurricane Ian outages: More than 1.8 million are without power in Florida

More than 1.8 million customers across Florida were without electricity Wednesday evening as the state was slammed by Hurricane Ian. As of 9 p.m., there were 1,840,891 customers without power statewide, according to the state’s Public Service Commission. Advertisement FPL, Florida’s biggest electric utility, had 1,041,780 without power. Scores of people who get service from Florida Public Utilities, Duke Energy and local cooperatives and municipalities’ utilities are also... Read More

All South Florida airports remain open, but airlines and trains curtailing some services

Southwest Airlines, a major air carrier serving all three South Florida airports, suspended its flights to the entire tri-county region Wednesday after curtailing service to other Florida airports in the path of Hurricane Ian. The suspensions came even though Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Miami International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport remained open to commercial flying. Advertisement “Operations are suspended through at least Wednesday, Sept., 28,... Read More