Tropical Storm Ian - live: Florida warned to ‘be ready’ for potential hurricane as Biden postpones visit

Floridians have been warned to “be ready” for a potential hurricane this week, as Tropical Storm Ian continues to strengthen while charting a path towards the Sunshine State.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts that Ian will become a hurricane by the end of Sunday as it moves across the Caribbean towards western Cuba.

By mid-week, the agency expects it will have reached Florida as a major hurricane.

On Saturday, President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for the state, authorising the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance.

The president has also postponed a trip to Fort Lauderdale which was scheduled for Tuesday in anticipation of the extreme weather event.

His federal emergency declaration came as Governor Ron DeSantis also extended the state of emergency from 24 counties to the entire state and mobilised Florida’s National Guard.

As Florida prepares for the incoming weather event, Canada is starting to assess the damage and begin recovery efforts after being hammered by post-tropical cyclone Fiona on Saturday. Fiona, which was formerly a hurricane, left at least 16 dead in Puerto Rico.

Key Points

• Biden declares state of emergency in Florida and postpones visit

• Cuban government upgrades hurricane watch to hurricane warning

• Ron DeSantis tells Floridians to prepare for hurricane

• Canada sends in troops to help with Storm Fiona devastation

• Death toll from Hurricane Fiona rises to 16 in Puerto Rico

Tourists evacuated as Ian hurtles toward Cuba

06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Tropical Storm Ian hurtled toward western Cuba on Sunday, prompting the government to evacuate tourists amid fears of potentially life-threatening storm surges as Ian becomes a hurricane on Monday, Reuters reported.

Cuba evacuated tourists on Sunday from the Isla de la Juventud, off the island’s southwestern coast, as well as workers from nearby Cayo Largo, one of the country’s top tourist destinations, according to local media.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian had begun to “strengthen over the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea late on Sunday, as it moved slowly northwestward towards Cuba, with sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.”

Nasa in two minds over the Artemis I rocket launch because of Ian

05:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

On Sunday, as the world watches tropical storm Ian’s path towards Florida, Nasa said that it hasn’t decided whether to leave its Artemis I rocket on the launchpad.

The decision shall be taken after discussions among senior officials that are scheduled to take on Monday, it said.

Artemis I was scheduled to launch on 27 September. And because of the weather, Nasa postponed its launch.

It was reported that engineers will decide if the rocket needs to roll back off the launch pad and if they do not roll it back, the next possible launch date will be 2 October.

Residents in southeast Florida told to brace for heavy rains and gusty squalls

05:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Jamie Rhone, acting director of the hurricane centre in Florida, warned residents in the southeast to brace for heavy rains and gusty squalls.

“You can’t be too fixated on this cone and it moving around a little bit,” he said. “The track has now shifted just enough that you’re out of the damaging wind potential, but I still need you to prepare for heavy rains and some of the gusty squalls.”

The hurricane centre predicts the system could begin to weaken before it makes landfall, possibly as a Category 1 along the Big Bend on Friday, but heavy rain and winds could be felt throughout the state next week, according to Miami Herald.

NYC Mayor Adams visits Puerto Rico

05:00 , Rachel Sharp

New York City Mayor Eric Adams visited Puerto Rico on Sunday morning to tour the damage wrought by Hurricane Fiona this week.

Mr Adams first met with the Emergency Management Department, which is leading recovery efforts, before meeting Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi and San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero.

The visit came as the mayor called on New Yorkers to donate to organisations focused on helping with the relief effort in Puerto Rico.

While Florida is bracing for a potential hurricane in the coming days, the US territory was hammered by Hurricane Fiona at the beginning of the week. Six days on, half of the population are still without power.

Florida governor warns residents of ‘uncertain’ weather

04:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

On Sunday, Florida governor Ron DeSantis asked residents to monitor what could be shifting forecasts in the coming days.

“The path is uncertain,” Gov DeSantis warned during a media conference in Tallahassee. “Don’t get too wedded to the cone.”

When he was asked about potential evacuation orders, he said no decisions had been made yet and will depend on the track of the storm.

And ultimately, he said, it will be up to residents to follow through on orders from emergency managers in coastal counties. “If there’s an evacuation notice — cops aren’t going to come and drag you out of your house, you’re going to make those decisions,” he said.

“But, when that is issued, that’s a view that there’s a hazard by remaining in that area. So, we just want everybody to know that and hopefully be able to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.”

Canada mobilises troops to help with the devastation caused by Fiona

04:32 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Canada is sending its troops to assist in the recovery from the devastation that storm Fiona caused.

The storm battered Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Quebec in Canada with hurricane-strength winds, heavy rains and huge waves.

The prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said in a briefing that Fiona was “a very powerful and dangerous storm” and had promised to deploy the army to help with the search and rescue efforts.

He added: “If there is anything the federal government can do to help, we will be there.”Mr Trudeau also cancelled his visit to Japan where he was scheduled to attend Shinzo Abe’s funeral.

Restrictions on pharmacies and trucking lifted in Florida

03:15 , Rachel Sharp

Restrictions on pharmacies and trucking have been lifted in the state of Florida to help residents prepare adequately for Tropical Storm Ian.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Sunday that he had ordered the state’s Department of Transportation to waive weight restrictions for commercial trucks so that they can get essential items to places ahead of the incoming storm.

Floridians will also be able to get emergency prescription refills so that they have the medication they need if they need to shelter in place.

“In preparation for Tropical Storm #Ian, I directed @MyFDOT to waive weight restrictions for commercial trucks to ensure ample fuel and resources are coming into FL,” he tweeted.

“We’ve also waived state requirements to ensure pharmacies can prescribe 30-day emergency refills for medications.”

ICYMI: Ron DeSantis extends state of emergency to all of Florida

02:00 , Rachel Sharp

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis extended the state of emergency to the entire state on Saturday.

Mr DeSantis had issued an emergency declaration for 24 counties on Friday but announced on Saturday that he was widening it and mobilising the state’s National Guard.

The governor urged residents to prepare for Storm Ian, which is forecast to pummel the state with heavy rains and high winds by mid-week.

“We encourage all Floridians to make their preparations,” he said in a statement.

Biden declares state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Ian strengthens into hurricane

01:00 , Rachel Sharp

President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Ian is on track to strengthen into a major hurricane over the coming few days.

The emergency declaration authorises the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance if or when Ian makes landfall on the Sunshine State.

Mr Biden has also postponed a trip to southern Florida which was scheduled for Tuesday in anticipation of the extreme weather event.

The president had been expected to give a speech about Medicare and Social Security in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Orlando to speak at a Democratic National Committee rally for Florida Democratic candidates.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Biden declares state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Ian strengthens

Hurricane Fiona: Search begins for 73-year-old woman feared to be washed out to sea

Monday 26 September 2022 00:00 , Rachel Sharp

Over in Canada, a search is now under way to find a missing 73-year-old woman who is feared to have been washed out to sea by Hurricane Fiona.

The elderly woman was last seen inside her home in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, on Saturday morning, as the storm pummelled the east coast of Canada, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Moments later, a huge wave struck her home, ripping away part of the basement, police said.

The 73-year-old has not been seen or heard from since.

The Indepedent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Woman, 73, feared to be washed out to sea by Hurricane Fiona

Nasa expected to make decision on rolling back Artemis I

Sunday 25 September 2022 23:00 , Rachel Sharp

Nasa is expected to make a final decision on Sunday about rolling back its Artemis l moon rocket into the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center, in to protect it from the potential incoming hurricane.

On Sunday, the space agency tweeted that it was continuing to closely monitor weather reports and planned to meet this evening to evaluate whether to roll the rocket and spacecraft back or remain at the pad.

If it remains at the pad there could be an opportunity for an Artemis launch attempt on 2 October.

On Saturday, the space agency’s team announced that – after holding a planning meeting – it had decided to postpone Tuesday’s launch attempt for the moon rocket amid concerns about the upcoming extreme weather.

“NASA is foregoing a launch opportunity Tuesday, Sept. 27, and preparing for rollback, while continuing to watch the weather forecast associated with Tropical Storm Ian,” the agency tweeted on Saturday morning.

The announcement came just hours after officials declared on Friday that the rocket was ready for its hotly-anticipated first test flight – marking the third attempt after two prior setbacks.

Team members were monitoring the weather to determine if and when to roll the rocket back into the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Nasa executive Jim Free tweeted on Saturday that a “final decision” would be made on Sunday.

Officials would have to begin moving the rocket no later than early Monday morning to beat Ian’s charted path towards the US.

Tropical Storm Ian to ‘rapidly strengthen’ tonight

Sunday 25 September 2022 22:00 , Rachel Sharp

The National Hurricane Center has warned that Tropical Storm Ian will “rapidly strengthen” on Sunday night.

In an update on Sunday afternoon, the agency said that significant wind and storm surge impacts are expected in western Cuba as the storm charts its path towards the country.

“Tropical Storm #Ian Advisory 10A: Ian Forecast to Begin Rapidly Strengthening Tonight. Significant Wind and Storm Surge Impacts Expected in Western Cuba,” the agency tweeted.

Floridians begin stockpiling in preparation

Sunday 25 September 2022 21:15 , Rachel Sharp

Floridians have begun stockpiling essential items in preparation for the storm, amid fears that it could lead to mass power outages in hard-hit areas.

At one Home Depot in Tampa, shoppers lined up for the store opening at 6am on Saturday, reported the Associated Press.

By early afternoon, the store had sold 600 cases of water and completely ran out of generators.

At a Costco store in Lake Mary, shoppers were also seen stocking up on water bottles, while others lined up to fill their vehicles with gas, reported FOX35.

Brian McDonald told the outlet he had some supplies already at home but was getting extra water bottles and canned food just in case.

“It looks like it’s going to go the west of us, and we’re not going to get hit too bad,” he said.

“We went through Hurricane Andrew, and Hurricane Andrew looked like it was going to the Carolinas and then took a 90-degree turn, so you never know.”

Tropical Storm Ian forecast to become hurricane by end of Sunday

Sunday 25 September 2022 20:30 , Rachel Sharp

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting that Tropical Storm Ian will become a hurricane by the end of the day on Sunday as it charts a path across the Caribbean, continuing to gain strength along the way.

As of Sunday morning, it had reached wind speeds of 50 mph (85 kph), the agency said.

The storm is expected to move over the Cayman Islands and western Cuba before reaching the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle as a major hurricane by the middle of the week.

By then, it could be a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds of up to 109 miles per hour (175 kilometres per hour).

While forecasters say it is too early to determine the exact path and strength, parts of coastal Georgia now also lie within the hurricane’s cone of uncertainty.

Cuban government upgrades hurricane watch to hurricane warning

Sunday 25 September 2022 19:45 , Rachel Sharp

The government of Cuba has upgraded its hurricane watch to a hurricane warning for the Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa, as Tropical Storm Ian heads for the country.

Cuba has also upgraded its tropical storm watch to a tropical storm warning for the provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Matanzas.

The upgrade comes as the National Hurricane Center is now forecasting that Ian will strengthen into a hurricane by the end of Sunday.

Now, a hurricane Warning is in effect for Grand Cayman and the Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, and Artemisa.

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

National Hurricane Center issues advisory

Sunday 25 September 2022 19:00 , Rachel Sharp

The National Hurricane Center has issued a new advisory for Tropical Storm Ian, warning about “significant wind and storm surge impacts” in western Cuba.

“Tropical Storm #Ian Advisory 10: Ian Forecast to Begin Rapidly Strengthening Later Today,” the agency tweeted of its 11am ET advisory.

“Hurricane Warning Issued For Western Cuba Where Significant Wind And Storm Surge Impacts Are Expected.”

Florida prepares to send 2m meals and 1m gallons of water to affected areas

Sunday 25 September 2022 18:30 , Rachel Sharp

The Florida government is taking stock of two million meals and one million gallons of water which it will be able to distribute to affected areas when the time comes.

Officials said at Sunday’s press conference that the impact of the storm will be far-reaching across the state and it is preparing now to have essential goods in place.

Governor Ron DeSantis said that Tropical Storm Ian will be a hurricane within the next 24 hours and will likely be a major hurricane “very soon”.

Mr DeSantis urged residents to ensure they have enough food, water, batteries, medicine and fuel as he warned that power outages are to be expected.

“Make preparations now,” he said.

“Listen to local officials and just prepare that with hurricane of this magnitude those things are likely to happen.”

Officials urge Floridians not to ‘overevacuate’

Sunday 25 September 2022 18:00 , Rachel Sharp

Floridians have been urged not to “overevacuate” when Tropical Storm Ian barrels into the Sunshine State in the coming days.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday morning, officials told state residents to “know your zone and know your home”.

If your home lies in an evacuation zone, then you should follow official guidelines and leave, they said.

But if your home is not in an evacuation zone, then “you need to know your home” and whether it has the capability to withstand strong winds.

“If you’re not in an evacuation zone and if your home is able to withstand winds then you may want to shelter in place,” an official said.

Residents taking shelter inside their homes should still prepare to lose power for several days on end and should make sure they have enough food and water stocked up.

The guidance came after officials said that two million people over-evacuated during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

DeSantis says he ‘appreciates’ Biden’s ‘quick action’

Sunday 25 September 2022 17:30 , Rachel Sharp

The Florida governor said that he “appreciates the quick action” from President Joe Biden who granted the state’s request to issue a federal emergency declaration on Saturday.

“We appreciate it, we’re thankful,” he said at Sunday morning’s press conference.

Mr Biden declared a state of emergency in Florida on Saturday, authorising the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance if or when Ian makes landfall on the SunShine State.

Mr DeSantis also extended the state of emergency from 24 counties to the entire state on Saturday.

Officials said on Sunday that they had also received calls from every state in the southeast region, saying that they were “ready and willing to help in our time of need”.

Ron DeSantis gives press conference about Tropical Storm Ian

Sunday 25 September 2022 17:00 , Rachel Sharp

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference on Sunday morning where he urged residents to prepare for Tropical Storm Ian.

Mr DeSantis said that the impact of Ian, which is expected to become a hurricane as soon as today, will reach far across the Sunshine State and so Floridians within the entire forecasted cone should be prepared.

“It’s important to point out to folks that the path of this is still uncertain. The impacts will be broad throughout the state of Florida,” he said.

The governor said that power outages and fuel disruptions are likely to unfold when the hurricane reaches the state mid-week.

“With a hurricane of this magnitude it is likely to happen,” he said.

He said that the state would provide an additional update about the path of the storm at 5pm local time on Sunday.

Biden declares state of emergency in Florida and postpones visit

Sunday 25 September 2022 16:15 , Rachel Sharp

President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Ian is on track to strengthen into a major hurricane over the coming few days.

The president issued the emergency declaration on Saturday, authorising the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance if or when Ian makes landfall on the SunShine State.

The announcement came after Mr Biden postponed a trip to southern Florida which was scheduled for Tuesday in anticipation of the extreme weather event.

The president had been expected to give a speech about Medicare and Social Security in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Orlando to speak at a Democratic National Committee rally for Florida Democratic candidates.

It would have marked his first visit to the Sunshine State in more than a year.

Typhoon Noru Barrels into Philippines

Sunday 25 September 2022 15:30 , Rachel Sharp

While Canada assesses the damage from Storm Fiona and Florida braces for the incoming Storm Ian, the Philippines is also currently at the mercy of an extreme weather event.

Typhoon Noru barrelled into the northeastern part of the country on Sunday, slamming into the coastal town of Burdeos on Polillo Island in Quezon.

The powerful typhoon – which has wind speeds of 195 kilometers (121 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 240 kph (149 mph) – is expected to chart a path of destruction up through the main Luzon Island overnight towards the capital.

Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes within the typhoon’s path.

Noru is forecast to reach the South China Sea on Monday before heading to Vietnam later in the week.

PM Trudeau says government will match Red Cross donations

Sunday 25 September 2022 14:45 , Rachel Sharp

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged that the Canadian government will match all Red Cross donations for communities hard-hit by post-tropical cyclone Fiona.

The former hurricane made landfall in Nova Scotia early on Saturday morning before charting a destructive path up the east coast of the country.

In a press conference on Saturday night local time, Mr Trudeau addressed the nation about the government’s response and announced the pledge.

“I know Canadians across the country as always want to help,” he said

“So we’re announcing that we will match any Red Cross donations Canadians and corporations make over the next 30 days.”

The prime minister held an incident response meeting with government officials that morning as he postponed his visit to Japan to deal with the crisis.

Mr Trudeau said that he had also approved Nova Scotia’s request for federal assistance and was deploying the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in the assessment and cleanup operations.

“We stand ready to do more,” he said, adding that the “government is standing ready to support provinces with any necessary resources”.

Following reports of “significant damage in the region,” Mr Trudeau acknowledged that “recovery is going to be a big effort” but vowed to “be there to support every step of the way”.

Tree dangles over main road

Sunday 25 September 2022 14:00 , Zoe Tidman

From someone in Halifax, Nova Scotia:

ICYMI: Fiona makes landfall in Nova Scotia with ‘historic, extreme event’

Sunday 25 September 2022 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Fiona has made landfall in Nova Scotia with the “historic, extreme event” plunging more than 400,000 residents into darkness, fuelling fears of flash flooding across Canada’s Atlantic Coast.

Fiona, which transformed into a powerful post-tropical cyclone late on Friday, struck the Canadian coast early on Saturday, lashing the region with strong rains and winds of up to 92mph (148 km/h).

Homes in its path were pummelled and power lines downed, leaving more than 415,000 residences in Nova Scotia – around 80 per cent of people in the province – without power on Saturday morning, according to the region’s power outage centre.

In the hard-hit province of Prince Edward Island, over 82,000 customers were affected, along with around 44,000 in New Brunswick.

Hurricane or tropical storm warnings were in place across much of Canada’s Atlantic coastline including Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and New Brunswick and parts of Quebec, amid fears that up to 10inches (25cm) of rainfall could result in flash flooding.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

More than 400,000 without power as Hurricane Fiona hits Nova Scotia

More pictures from Storm Fiona

Sunday 25 September 2022 13:00 , Zoe Tidman

Here are some more images of the chaos and devastation caused by Storm Fiona in Canada:

Nasa calls off Artemis l launch as Tropical Storm Ian escalates into powerful hurricane headed for Florida

Sunday 25 September 2022 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Nasa has called off the launch of its Artemis l moon rocket as Tropical Storm Ian is set to intensify into a powerful hurricane.

The space agency’s team announced on Saturday morning that – after holding a planning meeting – they had decided to postpone Tuesday’s launch attempt amid concerns about the upcoming extreme weather.

“NASA is foregoing a launch opportunity Tuesday, Sept. 27, and preparing for rollback, while continuing to watch the weather forecast associated with Tropical Storm Ian,” the agency tweeted on Saturday morning.

Tropical Storm Ian developed over the Central Caribbean Sea this week and is forecast to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane by the middle of next week.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Nasa calls off Artemis l launch as Tropical Storm Ian grows into powerful hurricane

‘We are here to serve our country and our communities,’ army division says

Sunday 25 September 2022 12:10 , Zoe Tidman

A Canadian army division in the country’s Atlantic - which has been badly-hit by Storm Fiona - says it is ready to help out.

“We are here to serve our country and our communities,” they tweeted:

Canada’s ‘most intense storm’ in history

Sunday 25 September 2022 11:49 , Zoe Tidman

A meteorologist says Storm Fiona was the “most intense” storm to ever hit Canada:

Pictured: Storm Fiona batters Canada

Sunday 25 September 2022 11:31 , Zoe Tidman

Here are some more images of the devastation caused by Storm Fiona: