Hurricane Ian Path Tracker as Florida-Bound Storm Rapidly Strengthening

Florida residents have been told to brace for a "life-threatening storm surge" as Hurricane Ian hits the state on Wednesday.

Ian, which has been upgraded to a category three hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour, has reached southwestern Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A category three hurricane has wind speeds between 111 and 129 miles per hour, and is categorized as a "major" storm by the NHC, with "devastating damage" expected.

The NHC says those living in central-west Florida should expect "tropical storm conditions" from late Tuesday, before "hurricane force winds" arrive on Wednesday morning as Ian continues to strengthen.

Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency over all of Florida, with 5,000 National Guard troops called up to support emergency services.

President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Florida ahead of the hurricane's arrival, organizing support from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In its most recent key summary, issued at 11pm ET on Monday, the NHC said: "There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along much of the Florida west coast where a storm surge warning has been issued, with the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region.

"Hurricane force winds are expected in the hurricane warning area in west-central Florida beginning Wednesday morning, with tropical storm conditions expected by late Tuesday.

"Heavy rainfall will increase across the Florida Keys and South Florida Tuesday, spreading into central and northern Florida Wednesday and Thursday and the Southeast by Friday and Saturday, potentially causing flash, urban and small stream flooding.

"Considerable flooding, including significant prolonged river flooding, is likely across central Florida."

On Monday, Governor DeSantis said Ian was "a really big hurricane at this point," warning it could bring a "dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds, hazardous seas, and isolated tornadic activity."

If Ian hits Tampa Bay as a category three hurricane, as forecast, it will be the first major hurricane to hit the area since 1921.

Speaking to CNN, Rick Davis, a Florida-based National Weather Service meteorologist, said: "We tell people even if they're lifelong Floridians like myself, this is something that we haven't seen in our lifetime. So we definitely need to take it seriously."

Evacuation orders have been issued by a number of Tampa Bay area counties, covering parts of Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Pinellas County and Sarasota County.

Florida's Division of Emergency Management has warned: "The greatest killer of people during hurricanes is storm surge – the dome of water pushed ashore by powerful hurricane winds. Entire buildings can be moved, and can cause more damage than the winds of a hurricane itself. Florida is extremely vulnerable to surge flooding because of its coastal and low-lying geography.

"To stay safe from surge flooding, if you live in a zone that has been ordered to evacuate, get out. The best way to be prepared for a hurricane storm surge is to know your evacuation zone and plan your destination and travel routes ahead of time."

Tampa Bay area zoo ZooTampa has announced it will close on Tuesday, with higher-risk animals moved into specially protected zones.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people in eastern Canada were left without power when Hurricane Fiona, which had devastated Puerto Rico before heading north, made landfall.