Some 2.4 million homes and businesses are without power after one of the worst storms in years.
One of the most dangerous storms to hit the US in years has left 2.4 million homes and businesses in Florida without power and floodwaters surging inland.
Hurricane Ian made landfall at around 15:10 local time on Wednesday, smashing into the coast with wind speeds of up to 241km/h .The category four hurricane was later downgraded to aHowever, Floridians were warned that the most dangerous 24 hours lay ahead and the mayor of Tampa urged people to shelter in place through the night into Thursday morning.
"We are going to get the majority of the rain and the higher winds starting about 20:00, and they are going to last throughout the night," Jane Castor said during a Wednesday evening briefing. Residents were ordered to leave their homes, but many have decided to remain and seek shelter indoors. Mark Pritchett, who lives in the city of Venice, some 95km south of Tampa, described the "terrifying" moment he stepped outside his home as the hurricane made its way across the Gulf of Mexico.Associated PressIn Lee County - the south-west region where Ian made landfall - police were prevented from responding to reports of looting at a petrol station because of the storm damage.
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