Ian is a major category 3 hurricane this am with winds of 115 mph. Ian has emerged into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Multiple tropical storm, hurricane and storm surge watches and warnings are in effect for the state of Florida. Ian will begin to approach the western coast of Florida tomorrow and make landfall near or east of the Tampa metro. The storm is forecasted to be a major hurricane with winds near 125 mph at landfall. Life-threatening storm surge looks increasingly likely along much of the Florida west coast where a storm surge warning is in effect, with the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region. Hurricane-force winds are expected in the hurricane warning area in southwest and west-central Florida beginning Wednesday morning with tropical storm conditions expected by this evening. Residents should rush all preparations to completion today. Finally, Heavy rainfall will increase across the Florida Keys and south Florida today, spreading into central and northern Florida tonight and Wednesday, into the Southeast U.S. by Thursday and Friday, likely causing flash, urban, and small stream flooding. Considerable flooding is expected across central Florida into southern Georgia and coastal South Carolina, with widespread, prolonged moderate to major river flooding expected across central Florida. Please prepare and listen to local officials if you are along or near the path. Please stay safe!