Florida Hotels Offer 'Distress Rates' as Hurricane Ian Nears the State and Strengthens to Category 3 Storm

Some Florida hotels are offering lower rates as Hurricane Ian gets closer to the state. Rosen Hotels & Resorts said it is offering "distress rates" on some of its properties in Florida for residents to have a safe and affordable place to stay.

According to Fox 35 Orlando, the "distressed rates" of these Florida hotels are usually offered when a tropical storm or hurricane warning is in effect for impacted areas in the state. It will remain in effect as long as there is a threat posed in the state.

Rosen hotel officials said those rates will remain implemented as long as needed by those displaced after the hurricane. The Florida hotel company noted that its hotels are pet-friendly, adding that they do not charge any additional pet fees during the implementation of distress rates.

Hotel guests will also have access to free WiFi and do not have to pay a resort fee. Guests must provide proof of residency in an affected area and should call 866-33-ROSEN (76736) to reserve a room.

Hurricane Ian in Florida

Hurricane Ian became a Category 3 storm on Tuesday morning as it continued to move toward Florida. As of 3 a.m., WESH reported that the eye of the storm was located some 105 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba.

It had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving north-northwest at 13 mph. The National Hurricane Center said Ian is expected to make landfall in western Cuba early Tuesday morning and will emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

It will then continue to move toward Florida, passing west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday and approaching the state's west coast late Wednesday into Thursday.

Ian keeps getting stronger as it nears Florida. As early as Tuesday, CNN reported that Florida could already feel Ian's wrath.

CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said Ian has "shown an unprecedented rate of strengthening from a tropical storm" turning into a powerful hurricane.

When it moves over Cuba Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said it is expected to produce flash flooding and possible mudslides in parts of Cuba and Jamaica.

In the Western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, a total of 19,283 people have reportedly been evacuated from their homes.

In the U.S., more than 15 million people are projected to be affected by tropical storm-force winds in Florida cities such as Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville.

Florida Braces for Hurricane Ian

Forecasters said Hurricane Ian is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds along much of Florida's west coast by mid-week.

While its exact path is still uncertain, projections show the hurricane could hit the Tampa area, and impacts on the site could be devastating.

The latest advisory from the hurricane center said the hurricane watch from Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay, has been upgraded to a hurricane warning, which means "hurricane conditions are expected somewhere" within the warning area within 24 to 36 hours.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has warned Florida to brace for a potential "major disaster" as the hurricane gathers strength in the Caribbean, BBC reported.

DeSantis also warned of "broad impacts" across the state of Florida. It was reported that some parts of the state had yet to experience a hurricane this huge in about a century.

During a news conference Monday, DeSantis said that Hurricane Ian is a "really big hurricane at this point" and urged residents to do their own preparations while remaining calm.

The Republican governor had issued a state of emergency for all of Florida over the weekend and activated 5,000 National Guard troops to assist in relief efforts.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Cuba Feeling Early Early Impacts On Hurricane Ian - From CBS Miami