NEWS: State of Emergency Declared for Entirety of Florida Ahead of Hurricane Ian

UPDATE: Disney World will be conducting a phased reopening of the theme parks and Disney Springs on September 30th. Click here for more information.

UPDATE: Ian strengthened from a depression to a hurricane, then was downgraded to a tropical storm, and has strengthened to a hurricane again in the Atlantic.

A tropical depression could become a major hurricane and impact Florida soon.

Hurricane season lasts through November 30th, and while it had been a fairly quiet season so far, things could be changing.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 24 counties in Florida due to the formation of Tropical Depression Nine, which is expected to become a hurricane and could impact Florida next week.

UPDATE: As of September 24th, a state of emergency has been declared for the entire state of Florida.

DeSantis said, “This storm has the potential to strengthen into a major hurricane and we encourage all Floridians to make their preparation.”

DeSantis has also requested a federal emergency declaration ahead of the potential hurricane’s anticipated arrival. That would help free up funding for “emergency protective measures.”

Tropical Depression Nine (now Tropical Storm Ian) could become Hurricane Ian. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 5PM update (on September 23rd) showed the cone encompassing much of Florida. According to that update, the system is forecasted to approach Florida at or near major hurricane strength next week, “with the potential for significant impacts from storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall.”

In terms of its arrival, the 5PM (September 23rd) update showed the earliest reasonable arrival time of tropical storm force winds as Monday at 8PM near the bottom of Florida and Tuesday at 8AM near more of Central Florida.

UPDATE: As of 5AM on September 24th, the storm has strengthened and is now Tropical Storm Ian. You can see the 5PM look at the storm below. It is expected to intensify as the weekend progresses and Central Florida is still projected to be in the cone. The cone has shifted to the west just a bit.

UPDATE: As of 8AM on September 25th, the storm has shifted back to the east. It is expected to strengthen into a hurricane at some point today.

Most of yesterday the models trended west but since late last night they have edged back eastward. Here’s a look at the trends! We all remain in the cone with impacts to be felt here Wednesday/Thursday. Stay with @WESH for updates. pic.twitter.com/AdTg2zBzKv

— Tony Mainolfi (@TMainolfiWESH) September 25, 2022

Here is a look at the 11AM update for the day.

The 5PM update of the storm shows that it has stayed to the east a bit. At this time, a tropical storm watch has been issued for the Lower Florida Keys.

You can see a good visual in the video below.

Here's at look at the models for #IanL. Still a good spread across the Easter Gulf of Mexico but the trend has inched eastward today with two camps setting up. We will get active weather Wednesday/Thursday either way. Stay with @WESH for updates. #weshwx pic.twitter.com/ZgERXBeEt6

— Tony Mainolfi (@TMainolfiWESH) September 25, 2022

UPDATE: As of 8AM on September 26th, the storm has officially been upgraded to Hurricane Ian.

8am #Ian intermediate advisory has been issued; Here's the latest on the storm… pic.twitter.com/yxeNg1VUKc

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 26, 2022

UPDATE: By Tuesday, September 27th, Hurricane Ian has strengthened to a Category 3 storm. Several parts of Florida are under Hurricane Watch including Disney World.

The 5am advisory for #Ian is in. Here's the latest… pic.twitter.com/wRJzeNnGAI

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 27, 2022

UPDATE: As of September 28th, Hurricane Ian is a Category 4 storm, and hurricane watches are in effect for Osceola and Orange counties (where Disney World is located).

UPDATE: Ian made its way through Orlando and dumped lots of rain on the area (including Disney World). It was later downgraded to a tropical storm, and has strengthened to a hurricane again in the Atlantic. Flooding continues to be a major concern for Central Florida.

Disney World parks will be closed on September 28th and 29th. Disney Springs will be closed on September 28th, with many stores likely remaining closed through September 29th.

UPDATE: Disney World will be conducting a phased reopening of the theme parks and Disney Springs on September 30th. Click here for more information.

We are watching this storm carefully and will share updates with you. You can click here for our full post about the storm.

The National Hurricane Center’s acting director, Jamie Rhome, said, “Don’t panic…It is important that you take this threat seriously and begin to execute your hurricane plans in a calm and orderly fashion while there’s still time to get ready.”