Tropical Depression 9 Now Likely To Become “Ian” Overnight – Here’s What You Need To Do

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
For most of the past two days we expected this storm to be named "Hermine". Wind shear has been keeping the storm from developing and now a new storm off the coast of Africa has taken the name. So what do we know about the storm that will, now very likely, become Ian?
Governor DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency Ahead Of Ian
“This storm has the potential to strengthen into a major hurricane and we encourage all Floridians to make their preparations. We are coordinating with all state and local government partners to track potential impacts of this storm,” said Governor DeSantis.
The following 24 counties are under the State of Emergency:
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Collier
- DeSoto
- Glades
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Indian River
- Lee
- Manatee
- Martin
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Okeechobee
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- St. Lucie
We know it's going to be a major hurricane and Ian is very, very likely to hit Florida. As we get closer, the models will start to align more and give us a better idea. For those of us who have lived in Southwest Florida awhile, yes, this looks a little too much like the Charley path. If you're not sure what you should be doing in advance of the storm, here's our guide.
Taking a look at the most recent update as of this writing, the 5pm Friday update, the cone has slid a bit to the west. Good for us. No bueno for Tampa.
I'm going to bring this name up again for those of you new to Southwest Florida. Hurricane Charley was once predicted to hit Tampa. Don't sleep on this storm. The simple fact is, we just don't know for sure what's going to happen.
2022 Hurricane Central – Preparedness Guide
Hurricane Central - Preparedness Guide gives you the updated information you may need in the event of a hurricane. Just because 2021 was a quiet year for storms doesn't mean we can ever let our guard down. This guide is sponsored by local businesses here in SWFL. Gavin's Ace Hardware, Sean King Law, and Powerhouse Home Services.
HURRICANE CONTACT NUMBERS
EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS
CONTRACTOR INFORMATION
POWER COMPANIES
ONLINE RESOURCES
Preparing Your Home
Shelters - Lee County
Emergency Operations Center 239-533-0622
Bonita Springs YMCA – Bonita Springs
Island Coast High School – Cape Coral
Estero Recreation Center – Estero
Germain Arena – Estero
South Fort Myers High School (Pet Friendly) – Fort Myers
E. Lee County High School (Pet Friendly) – Lehigh Acres
Harns Marsh Elementary School – Lehigh Acres
Harns Marsh Middle School – Lehigh Acres
Mirror Lakes Elementary School – Lehigh Acres
Varsity Lakes Middle School – Lehigh Acres
Veterans Park Recreation Center – Lehigh Acres
Shelters - Collier County
Emergency Operations Center: 239-252-3600
Highlands Elementary School – Immokalee
Immokalee Friendship House – Immokalee
Immokalee High School – Immokalee
Immokalee Middle School – Immokalee
Pinecrest Elementary School – Immokalee
Village Oaks Elementary – Immokalee
Barron Collier High School – Naples
Big Cypress Elementary – Naples
Corkscrew Elem/Middle School – Naples
Cypress Palm Middle School – Naples
Golden Gate Intermediate School – Naples
Golden Gate Middle School – Naples
Golden Gate High School – Naples
Golden Terrace Intermediate School – Naples
Gulf Coast Intermediate School – Naples
Gulf Coast High School – Naples
Laurel Oak Elementary School – Naples
Lely High School – Naples
Mike Davis Elementary School
Naples High School
North collier Regional Park (Pet Friendly) – Pre-registration is required
North Naples Middle School
Oakridge Middle School
Palmetto Ridge High School – Special Needs
Pelican Marsh Elementary
Sable Palm Elementary School
St. Matthews House
Veterans Community Park
Vineyards Elementary School
Shelters - Charlotte County
Emergency Operations Center: 941-833-4000
*All Charlotte County shelters are now Pet Friendly
Lemon Bay High School – Englewood
Myakka River Elementary School – Englewood
Kingsway Elementary School – Port Charlotte
Liberty Elementary School – Port Charlotte
Meadow Park Elementary School – Port Charlotte
Murdock Middle School – Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte High School – Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte Middle School – Port Charlotte
Sallie Jones Elementary School -Punta Gorda
South County Regional Park -Punta Gorda
L.A. Ainger MIddle School – Rotonda
Vineland Elementary School – Rotonda
Shelters - Hendry County
Emergency Operations Center: 863-674-5400
Central Elementary School – Clewiston
Clewiston High School – Clewiston
Clewiston Middle School (Primary Shelter) – Clewiston
Eastside Elementary School – Clewiston
Westside Elementary School – Clewiston
Country Oaks Elementary School – LaBelle
LaBelle Elementary School – LaBelle
LaBelle High School – LaBelle
LaBelle Middle School (Primary Shelter) – LaBelle
Shelters - Glades County
Emergency Operations Center: 863-946-6020
Buckhead Ridge VFW – Buckhead Ridge
Maple Grove Baptist Church – Lakeport
Glades County Health Department (Special Needs) – Moore Haven
Moore Haven High School – Moore Haven
Muse Community Assn. – Muse
West Glades Elementary (Special Needs) – Muse
Shelters - Desoto County
Emergency Operations Center – 863-993-4831
Desoto Middle School -Arcadia
South Florida State College (Special Needs) -Arcadia
Terminology - Hurricane Watch
Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.
Steps to take:
Terminology - Hurricane Warning
Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.
Steps to take:
Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.