The Significant Impacts Of Ian | WeatherBug
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The Significant Impacts Of Ian

September 29, 2022
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Alyssa Robinette
Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida near Cayo Costa Wednesday afternoon. It will move northeasterly across the Florida Peninsula today, then Ian will briefly move into the Atlantic Ocean this afternoon, before curving west and making another U.S. landfall in the Southeast on Friday.
 
Ian will have major impacts across a large portion of northern Florida today as it tracks northeastward. Impacts will develop in the Southeast as early as this evening. 

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Flagler/Volusia Line to the mouth of the South Santee River, and for the St. Johns River.
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for North of Bonita Beach to Indian Pass Florida; from Jupiter Inlet, Florida to Cape Lookout North Carolina; and for Lake Okeechobee.
 
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for North of South Santee River to Little River Inlet.
 
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Flagler/Volusia County Line to the South Santee River.
 
What kind of impacts can the U.S. expect from Ian?
 
  • Winds
 
One of the most damaging aspects of a hurricane is its winds. The strongest winds are typically found near where the storm comes ashore and to the north and east of the center. With Ian, significant wind damage is likely where the core of Ian moves onshore in the Carolinas. 
 
Tropical storm-force winds will continue to spread into east and north across Florida, extending into the Florida Panhandle, northern Florida and southwestern Georgia today. Tropical storm-force winds will then develop across southeastern Georgia this evening and then across the rest of eastern Georgia and South Carolina on Friday.
 
Winds in the Tampa to Fort Myers areas will diminish to tropical storm-force during the late morning today and are likely below tropical storm level by early Friday. Widespread and prolonged power-outages are expected in these areas. Currently over two million customers are without power across Florida. After landfall,  Winds will slowly ease from southwest to northeast across the Keys and Florida Peninsula today into Friday and then across Georgia and South Carolina by early Saturday.
 
  • Storm Surge
 
Storm surge is one of a hurricane’s deadliest weapons. Particularly to the east of the center, the strong winds push the seawater toward the coast, causing it to pile up far above what the normal tide would be. The constant push of water and waves can produce prolific damage to coastal structures and push the water onto the low-lying ground.
 
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle and can vary greatly over short distances.
 
8 to 10 feet of water above normal levels are expected from Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor. Peak storm surge of 3 to 5 feet will also be found across the northeastern coast of Florida into eastern South Carolina today and Friday, which includes the St. Johns River in Florida. One to 3 feet of storm surge is possible for east-central Florida along with eastern South Carolina into North Carolina.
 
  • Rainfall
 
Heavy rain will continue across central to northern Florida throughout today. Heavy rainfall is expected to affect the southeastern U.S. by Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, the ground is already very saturated and has been primed for significant flooding.
 
Expect widespread, life-threatening flash, urban and river flooding to continue across central Florida today. Considerable flash, urban and river flooding is anticipated across portions of northeastern Florida, southeastern Georgia and coastal South Carolina through the start of the weekend. Limited flash, urban and river flooding is possible over the rest of the Southeast and southern Mid-Atlantic later this week and through the weekend.
 
Expect a band of 12 to 20 inches across parts of central and northeastern Florida, with locally higher amounts up to 25 inches. The remainder of northeastern and central Florida Peninsula outside of this main band will pick up 5 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts up to 12 inches. Eastern Georgia and central South Carolina can expect 4 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts up to 12 inches.
 
  • Severe Weather
 
Thanks to an extreme amount of spin associated with the storm, hurricanes often produce tornadoes and waterspouts. While the twisters are often short-lived, they can cause significant damage in the brief path and time that they are on the ground. Beyond the tornado threat, Ian is likely to bring some lightning in its thunderstorms.