By Zoélie Bérubé

A hundred years after the 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane, here comes another one. This Wednesday, Hurricane Ian is expected to hit the state of Florida as a category 4 on the Saffir-Simspon scale. Winds of 205 km/h have been recorded and they are expected to go up to 350 km/h when arriving in Florida’s Southwest coast.

 

Florida’s governer Ron DeSantis said to his people ‘’ And this is the kind of storm that is life threatening’’ . In fact, the storm has already made its way to Cuba, where 50,000 people have been relocalized and where 55 shelters have been created for people who have lost their houses dut to major flooding. Over two million Floridians have already been relocated. All others should start packing their valuable belongings right now and leave their house immediately if they live where Ian is supposed to hit hard. Floridian Gil Gonzalez has already installed plywood over his windows and sandbags around his house to hopefully prevent flooding. ‘’ All the prized possessions, we’ve put them upstairs in a friend’s house nearby, and we’ve got the car loaded. I think we’re ready.’’ he said.

 

Power outages are expected, mainly in those regions; Fort Myers, Tampa and St. Petersburg. Remember, it is really important to avoid being in the path of the hurricane. Shelters all over Florida have been created to help Floridians during this unfortunate event. President of the United States of America said during a conference; ‘’Your safety is more important than anything’’. That is why he called several organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal emergency Management Agency for assistance.

 

Category 4 Hurricane Ian should not be seen as something ordinary. It is a major natural disaster.

Generators, meals and water have been stocked up in the shelters where all Floridians are welcomed during this worrying time. A hurricane like this does not happen often in Florida, but when it does, it hits hard.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. « Floridians brave for hurricane Ian after Cuba blacked out », CBC News, September 27, 2022, 7:42 AM EDT, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hurricane-ian-cuba-tuesday-1.6597011 (Page consulted on September 27, 2022)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. « Hurricane Ian nears Cuba on path to strike Florida as Category 4 storm » CBC News, September 26, 2022, 9:20 AM EDT, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hurricane-ian-cuba-florida-1.6595732 (Page consulted on September 27, 2022)