Hurricane Ian Set to Become Category 4 Storm Before Hitting Florida; Here's How to Know If You're in the Evacuation Zone

Hurricane Ian has been seen in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as of late Tuesday morning, according to a National Hurricane Center advisory.

CNN News reported that Ian's winds have decreased only slightly after its trip across western Cuba. However, it keeps the storm at Category 3. The hurricane is expected to gain strength again later today and become a Category 4 before the day ends.

The Hurricane Center said in its forecast that Ian is expected to approach the west coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area on Wednesday and Wednesday night.

There is a projected highest surge, expected to be eight to 12 feet, which would occur south of Tampa Bay and north of Bonita Beach. It includes Charlotte Harbor and the cities of Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.

The center added that its forecast on Ian is that it is seen to be an "extremely dangerous major hurricane."

Several Florida counties have expanded their mandatory evacuation order such as Hillsborough County and Manatee County.

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes said that those along the coast and prone to flooding should take the storm seriously and evacuate. Hopes said that it is a "worst-case scenario."

Hurricane Ian Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he had a call with U.S. President Joe Biden after the media briefing on Hurricane Ian. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed the call between the governor and the president in a tweet.

In addition, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell had been in communication with Florida's governor.

In preparation for the hurricane, the Seminole County government said in a statement that toll services have been suspended in central Florida.

More than 2.5 million residents are under evacuation orders or had been advised to evacuate due to dangerous storm surges, flooding, and strong winds, according to The New York Times report.

A spokesman with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Greg Willis, said that Jacksonville International Airport intends to remain open as long as airlines are still flying.

Hurricane Ian Landfall in Cuba

In Cuba, the entire island has been reported without any electricity after a collapse of the power grid, as announced by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Officials are working to restore power through Tuesday evening and Wednesday.

Associated Press News noted that Ian had made landfall in Cuba's Pinar del Rio province, wherein officials had established more than 55 shelters and evacuated 50,000 people.

Cuba suffered a "significant wind and storm surge impact" due to Ian, according to the U.S. hurricane center.

Cuba's capital was not all spared with Havana's residents expressing worry about flooding and workers unclogging storm drains/

Havana's El Fanguito, which is a poor neighborhood near the Almendares River, had residents living there packed up whatever they could, as reported by The Guardian.

The slow movement of the storm over the Gulf allows it to gain strength and grow wide before going to Florida's west coast.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Hurricane Ian LIVE | Storm Surge, Catastrophic Winds & Flooding Expected in Florida - from ABC Action News