Wednesday 28 September 2022 10:11 PM Intrepid weather forecasters brave full force of Hurricane Ian amid 155 mph ... trends now
Many weather forecasters are getting out in front of the story by getting outside during Hurricane Ian as part of a storied tradition of fearless weathermen and women braving the conditions for the sake of good coverage.
The devastating hurricane could potentially become a Category 5 storm as it pummels Florida, warned Governor Ron DeSantis, but that didn't stop these weather forecasters from walking straight into it.
One weatherman, Jim Cantore of BNO news, was shown almost being blown away by the severe winds as he covered the storm. Cantore struggled to stay standing up as the hurricane-force winds force him to hang to a street sign.
A weather forecaster for CNN stands by the water in St. Petersburg, Florida just hours before Hurricane Ian began producing large, unpredictable waves
The weather became visibly worse over the hours the forecasters stayed in St. Petersburg, with rain eventually blocking out much of the newscaster
St. Pete Beach bay in St. Petersburg, Florida is seen here as strong winds from the hurricane whip up the water
Debris litters an street in a neighborhood of St. Pete Beach as the winds from Hurricane Ian arrive on September 28, 2022 in St. Petersburg
Another reporter for CNN was placed in the city of Punta Gorda on Florida's western shore as universities and Florida Colleges are also closing their doors in an attempt to protect the students from the storm.
Videos from the city showed winds strong enough to bowl over street signs and rain that almost flew sideways because of the wind.
The wind is so strong that sturdy palm trees that line the streets are splintering and flying apart, just one of the many reasons Florida residents are encourages to stay inside.
'Mother nature is a very fearsome adversary, please heed those evacuation warnings. You could see power outages, inland flooding, various types of tree damage from wind so be prepared for that,' said Governor Ron DeSantis.
Officials have warned that the storm surge could reach 18ft, with deadly winds and flooding along the state's heavily populated Gulf Coast from Bonita Beach to the Tampa Bay region - with rainfall reaching 18 inches.
A surge of up to 10ft of ocean water and 10 inches of rain is predicted to drench the Tampa Bay area, with as much as 15 inches in isolated areas - enough water to inundate coastal communities.
A CNN reporter in stormy Punta Gorda braves the worsening conditions of Florida's west coast as Hurricane Ian arrives
A lone car drives on US Road 17 ahead of Hurricane Ian, in Punta Gorda, Florida on September 28, 2022 amid blinding rain
