Tropical Depression No. 9 strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian Friday night. The system is expected to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane next week. As of 5 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Ian intensified as it moved westward into the central Caribbean and was moving westward at 14 mph. Ian had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located 315 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and 600 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman. Check out the latest maps, models and paths here The NHC suggested hurricane conditions could be expected in the Cayman Islands early Monday. Heavy rain is expected to start as early as Monday in the Florida Keys and South Florida. According to the NHC, this rain could cause some flash floods and urban flooding. “Some very warm waters are expected to intensify rapidly Monday through Wednesday,” said WESH 2 meteorologist Tony Minorfi. “Tonight the GFS model continues to slow down and west of the euro, the forecast cone between the two models. The intensity forecast is still very impressive in the category 2-4 range.” NWS urges Florida residents and visitors Gather supplies and keep track of forecasts. Summary of Valid Watches and Warnings: Hurricane Watch is valid for…. The Cayman Islands Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for… Watches are typically issued 48 hours before the first expected tropical storm strong winds, a condition that can make external preparations difficult or dangerous. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are likely within the observed area, usually within 48 hours. RELATED: Seminole County Begins Sandbags Ahead of Tropical Storm Find Out What To Do When Hurricane Watch Is Released Stay tuned to WESH 2 News, WESH.COM or NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates. Be prepared to put any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or decorations, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything that can be picked up by the wind. Learn about hurricane forecast models and cones. Get ready to cover all the windows of your home. If shutters are not installed, use pre-cut plywood. Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water and medication. The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team recommends that you have these items on hand before a storm hits. Bottled water: one gallon of water per person per day Canned foods and soups such as beans and chili can openers, cans without easy-open lids Assembled first aid kit Two weeks of prescription medications Baby/child needs such as formula and diapers Flashlights and batteries What to do when a battery-powered weather radio issues a hurricane warning Get advice from local officials. If you are advised to evacuate, please leave. Complete the preparation activities. If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows. Watch out for tornadoes. Tornadoes can occur during and after a hurricane. Stay indoors, in the middle of your home, in a closet, or in a windowless bathroom. Smartphones help during hurricanes Smartphones can be a hurricane’s best friend—with the right website and app, you can turn it into a powerful tool for guiding you through the storm’s approach, arrival, and consequences. Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS | Android to enable emergency alerts – if you have an iPhone, select Settings, then go to Notifications. From there, look for government alerts and enable emergency alerts. If you have an Android phone, from the app’s home page, scroll right along the bottom and click Settings. On the Settings menu, click Severe Weather Alerts. Select from the menu Most Severe, Moderate Severe or All Alerts Pet and Animal Safety Your pet should be part of your family plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do is to protect your pets and evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe space for them, can result in injury or death. Contact hotels and motels outside your area to see if they are taking pets. Ask friends, relatives and others outside the affected area if they can shelter your animal.
Tropical Depression No. 9 strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian Friday night.
The system is expected to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane next week.
As of 5 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Ian intensified as it moved westward over the Central Caribbean Sea and was moving west at 14 mph.
Ian had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, 315 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 600 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman.
Check out the latest maps, models and trails here
The NHC suggested hurricane conditions could be expected in the Cayman Islands early Monday.
Heavy rain is expected to start as early as Monday in the Florida Keys and South Florida. According to the NHC, this rain could cause some flash floods and urban flooding.
“Rapid intensification is expected in some very warm waters Monday through Wednesday,” said WESH 2 meteorologist Tony Minorfi. “Tonight the GFS model continues to slow and west of the euro, the gap between the two models Prediction cone. Intensity predictions are still very impressive in the class 2-4 range.”
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This content was imported from Twitter. You can find the same content in other formats on their website, or you can find more information.
This content was imported from Twitter. You can find the same content in other formats on their website, or you can find more information.
This content was imported from Twitter. You can find the same content in other formats on their website, or you can find more information.
The National Weather Service has urged Florida residents and visitors to gather supplies and continue to track forecasts.
Summary of valid watches and warnings:
Hurricane watches are valid for
* Cayman Islands
Tropical Storm Watch Valid for…
*Jamaica
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the observation area. Warnings are typically issued 48 hours before the first expected tropical storm strong winds, a condition that can make external preparations difficult or dangerous.
A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are likely within the watch area, usually within 48 hours.
RELATED: Seminole County begins sandbag preparation ahead of tropical storm
Know what to do when the Hurricane watch is released
- Stay tuned to WESH 2 News, WESH.COM or the NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates.
- Be prepared to bring any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything that can be blown indoors by the wind.
- Learn about hurricane forecast models and cones.
- Be prepared to cover all the windows in your home. If blinds are not already installed, use pre-cut plywood.
- Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water and medication.
The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team recommends that you have these items on hand before the storm hits.
- Bottled water: One gallon of water per person per day
- Canned foods and soups, such as beans and peppers
- Can openers without easy-open lids
- Assemble the first aid kit
- two-week prescription medication
- Baby/child’s needs such as formula and diapers
- Flashlight and Batteries
- battery powered weather radio
What to do when a hurricane warning is issued
- Take advice from local officials. If you are advised to evacuate, please leave.
- Complete preparation activities
- If evacuation is not advised, stay indoors and away from windows.
- Watch out for tornadoes. Tornadoes can occur during and after a hurricane. Stay indoors, in the middle of your home, in a windowless closet or bathroom.
How your smartphone can help during a hurricane
Your smartphone can be your best friend in a hurricane—with the right website and app, you can turn it into a powerful tool to guide you through the approach, arrival and aftermath of a storm.
Download the WESH 2 News app iOS | android
Enable emergency alerts – if you have an iPhone, select Settings, then go to Notifications. From there, look for government alerts and enable emergency alerts.
If you have an Android phone, from the app’s home page, scroll right along the bottom and click Settings. On the Settings menu, click Severe Weather Alerts. From the menu, select from Most Severe, Moderate Severity, or All Alerts.
Pet and Animal Safety
Your pet should be part of your family plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do is to protect your pets and evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe space for them, can result in injury or death.
- Contact hotels and motels outside your area to see if they have pets.
- Ask friends, relatives and others outside the affected area if they can provide shelter for your animals.