The strength of Hurricane Ian is frightening. It’s possible Ian could reach Category 5 status. Although the storm’s track still is south of Tampa Bay, this is still going to be a very brutal day in our area. Here are the latest observations from Denis Phillips and his team from ABC Action News along with other experts.

For more information, visit our Storm Center on our homepage.

• 10am Radar...

  Greg plotted the track so far of Ian on radar... see the quick left and right movements of the storm? Those are the wobbles that we need to watch all the way to landfall. They can shift the landfall point north or south by a few miles. The eye is 30 miles wide. pic.twitter.com/7sP9C5vsCH

  — Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) September 28, 2022

• Current winds in Tampa Bay...

  Winds from #Ian are picking up but nothing extreme inland right now pic.twitter.com/1Vk1LDoy1Z

  — Denis Phillips (@DenisPhillipsWx) September 28, 2022

• Newest surge estimates...

  NEW | Surge update from NHC:
  
  PEAK STORM SURGE INUNDATION HAS BEEN INCREASED FOR THE FOLLOWING
  LOCATIONS:
  
  * FROM ENGLEWOOD TO BONITA BEACH...12-18 FT
  * CHARLOTTE HARBOR...12-18 FT
  * FROM BONITA BEACH TO CHOKOLOSKEE...8-12 FT
  * FROM CHOKOLOSKEE TO EAST CAPE SABLE...5-8 FT#Ian

  — Greg Dee (@GregDeeWeather) September 28, 2022

• Charley similarities and differences...

  Their tracks may be similar, but that’s about it. #Ian's area of hurricane force winds is about 3 times larger, and its area of tropical storm force winds is about 2.3 times larger than Charley. #Ian has potential to do significantly more damage than #Charley. pic.twitter.com/rp2TeSPsGc

  — Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@PaulFox13) September 28, 2022

• It's happened again...

  ＤＯＷＮ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＢＡＹ 🌊: Check out this 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 view of #BayshoreBlvd taken by one our TampaPD Lieutenants! The water has receded, a clear sign that #hurricaneian is drawing near. 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: Evacuations are still in effect for Zones A and B #YourTampaPD pic.twitter.com/fLhTkNuHtz

  — Tampa Police Department (@TampaPD) September 28, 2022

• Nearly a Cat 5...

  (8AM) #IAN IS RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING. Winds are sustained at 155mph, only two mph away from becoming a Category Five.
  
  ➡️ The eye is targeting the area between Venice & Captiva. Stay tuned in case there is an unexpected wobble north or south.🧵 pic.twitter.com/Bxpo90POC4

  — Bryan Bennett (@weatherbryan) September 28, 2022

• Rainfall...

  The latest Day 1 outlook from @NWSWPC highlights high risk of excessive rainfall across a large portion of the central Florida peninsula from #Ian.
  
  Widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding is expected across this portion of Florida.
  
  More info: https://t.co/pezKG4JGLF pic.twitter.com/la1LHPwMlN

  — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022

• The track is south of Tampa... however...

  Not smart AT ALL to let your guard down in Tampa Bay.
  
  Yes the storm surge IN the Bay is reduced SOME if #Ian cuts in & makes landfall south - but that path also brings potential major hurricane wind gusts to the metro and parks the rainfall bullseye overhead 15-20" per NHC. pic.twitter.com/PFGiN6TJvA

  — Ian Oliver (@IanOliverWX) September 27, 2022

• Tornadic Activity...

  A Tornado Watch is in effect for our area. Please stay tuned to your ABC Action News station for the latest update. pic.twitter.com/cTJ7xW8XE6

  — Denis Phillips (@DenisPhillipsWx) September 28, 2022

• Skyway has closed...

  #Breaking The Skyway Bridge is now closed to all traffic in both directions & will remain closed until inclement weather from #HurricaneIan subsides. pic.twitter.com/L3x6veObcl

  — FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) September 28, 2022

• Current Stats...

  A special 7am update has been issued as Hurricane Ian has strengthened to 155 mph, a strong category 4 , with catastrophic storm surge flooding likely in some areas of SW FL. #FLwx more at https://t.co/VD8ljGYAGP and https://t.co/BLlDkMDqPE pic.twitter.com/KK1dcqABwM

  — NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) September 28, 2022

• 155 MPH...

  Heartbreaking to wake up and see #Ian is on the cusp of becoming a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 155 mph. 😔😔😔 LIVE coverage all day on ABC Action News. pic.twitter.com/SYtHcKEuMk

  — Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) September 28, 2022

• From the National Hurricane Center...

  Sep 28 7am EDT -- Here are the key messages from the special advisory issued on Hurricane #Ian.
  
  Catastrophic storm surge inundation expected today as Ian moves ashore in the southwest Florida peninsula.
  
  Latest: https://t.co/tnOTyg5UEw pic.twitter.com/cCHGT11wTF

  — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022

• A historic storm...

  #Ian is now at 155 mph, 1 mph shy of a cat 5. Only 4 US storms have made landfall that strong. It may be taking a similar track to Charley, but it’s no Charley. Ian’s eye is 40mi wide, hurricane winds are 75mi wide. Dwarfs Charley’s 5 mi eye & 30mi hurr winds. ⁦@WFLA⁩ 1/ pic.twitter.com/iTuZfB8bwj

  — Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) September 28, 2022

• A message from the Mayor...

  We’re not out of danger yet, @CityofTampa! Still expecting 18-20” of rain & high winds in our area.
  
  Reminder - Most injuries happen AFTER the storm, so:
  🚘 Don’t drive through flooded waters
  🌊 Avoid downed power lines & standing water
  🛑 Observe all barricades & detours pic.twitter.com/lhrT3LnsHj

  — Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) September 28, 2022

• Landfall still expected to be south of Tampa

  Not what we want to see. #Ian has completed its eye wall replacement cycle and is now a CAT 4 with 140 mph winds. Some additional strengthening is possible. #Ian will make landfall as an extremely dangerous hurricane later today, probably in Sarasota/Charlotte county. pic.twitter.com/BC6cIq8bH4

  — Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@PaulFox13) September 28, 2022

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