Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Friday declaring a state of emergency for 24 counties in Ian’s path, saying it had “the potential to strengthen into a major hurricane” in the coming days.
The storm could begin hitting South Florida late Monday or Tuesday morning. It should hit Jamaica, Cuba and the Camans first, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
An official from Monroe County, whose seat is Key West – the southernmost island of the Florida Keys – told the Miami Herald that they had not yet made the decision to order evacuations but that they could reevaluate the situation.
Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo told CNN the city has been in touch with Florida Power & Light, and urged residents to prepare for a storm. “Be proactive, contact your doctor, make sure you stock up on your meds,” he said. “Have water, basic necessities”.