As Hurricane Ian Approaches Landfall, Here’s How To Safely Shelter In Place
While Florida residents began stockpiling food, gathering emergency supplies, and preparing for evacuation last week, Hurricane Ian’s threat has only intensified.
As of today, Ian has sustained maximum winds of one hundred and fifty-five miles per hour. So even though the hurricane is currently a Category 4, the storm could become a Category 5 after it makes landfall.
“A storm of this magnitude will produce catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surges,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned in an address earlier this morning.
“This is going to be one of those historic storms. And it’s going to really shape the communities in southwest Florida and have a profound impact on our state. We just ask people for their thoughts and their prayers.”
As of early Wednesday afternoon, Ian has begun pounding the state’s western coast near Port Charlotte. And at close to a Category 5, Ian is currently the third most powerful storm to hit the United States in the last thirty years.
There are already over three hundred thousand power outages, with the largest incidences occurring in Sarasota, Collier, and Lee counties, where the eye of the storm is making its way ashore.
Over two and a half million residents were also ordered to evacuate earlier this week. However, those who opted to stay put are advised to remain in place at this point.
“It is no longer possible to safely evacuate. It is time to hunker down and prepare for this storm,” Governor DeSantis said.
In turn, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a preparation guide for weathering this brutal storm.
aiisha – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purpose only, not the actual person
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First, residents who are sheltering in place are advised to download the FEMA app to receive real-time National Weather Service alerts. Second, it is important to keep food, batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit, local maps, and a whistle to signal for help on hand.
It is now too late to purchase these items; however, if you are able to safely and quickly assemble these items in an easy-to-reach place in your home, that is advised.
Additionally, prepare to lose electricity and running water. And if you have not already, you can fill your bathtub to ensure water access following outages.
Finally, close all doors, stay away from windows, and shelter in a small room on your home’s lowest level. In the event of flooding, travel to the building’s highest level– but never climb into a closed attic where you could become entrapped by water.
And in the days following Hurricane Ian, remember never to walk through floodwater as it could be electrically charged by downed power lines or contain hazardous debris.
It may take several days for first responders to clear damage and declare travel safe– so stay put and remain informed.
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