'It's worrisome': Hurricane Ian has Florida residents rushing to complete last-minute preparations - Fox Weather

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Residents in Tampa, Florida are filling up sandbags to defend homes from flooding as uncertainty looms. FOX Weather's Nicole Valdes reports.

As Hurricane Ian continues to undergo rapid intensification in the Caribbean Sea, thousands of Florida residents spent the weekend preparing for possible power outages and flooding due to the hurricane's effects.

Ian strengthened into a hurricane early Monday morning, and the FOX Forecast Center expected Hurricane Ian to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by Monday night as it approaches western Cuba.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued along Florida's Gulf Coast ahead of the expected wind, rain and storm surge from Hurricane Ian later this week.

Rapid intensification occurs when a tropical cyclone's (tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane) maximum sustained winds increase by at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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  Sandbags are being filled in Tampa in preparation for possible flooding due to Hurricane Ian. (FOX Weather)

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  Residents in Delray Beach, Florida, wait in line for gas. (Bryan Glazer World Satellite Television News)

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  Shoppers wait in line outside a retail warehouse as people rush to prepare for Tropical Storm Ian, in Kissimmee, Florida, on September 25, 2022. (GREGG NEWTON/AFP)

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  Tampa residents begin filling sandbags in advance of Hurricane Ian. (FOX Weather)

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  A Target store near downtown Orlando, Florida, is out of bottled water on Saturday but has gallons to spare. (Emilee Speck)

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  Residents in Delray Beach, Florida, wait in line for gas. (Bryan Glazer World Satellite Television News)

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  Residents in Delray Beach, Florida, wait in line for gas. (Bryan Glazer World Satellite Television News)

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  Shoppers prepare for Tropical Storm Ian at a Publix supermarket in Delray Beach, Florida. (Bryan Glazer World Satellite Television News)

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  Shelves are empty for bottled water in a Publix supermarket in Delray Beach, Florida. (Bryan Glazer World Satellite Television News)

"If it doesn't come, it doesn't come, but it's better to be prepared," Tampa, Florida, resident Jamie Cruz said.

Cruz, like many other Floridians, spent the weekend in line for sandbags.

"I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn't know it would be that bad," he said about the line of people waiting for sandbags. "I waited in line for three hours."

Cars lined the streets around areas where sandbags were being distributed with the hopes that they could help save their homes from possible flooding from Hurricane Ian.

"Most of Tampa Bay is in low elevation," said St. Pete Beach resident David Beshears. "So, whether you're directly on the water or close to the water, it's worrisome."

The Beshears purchased their dream home on St. Pete Beach a year ago, and they're still renovating.

"The anxiety is definitely there," Michelle Beshears said. "For sure."

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Key West will be one of the first communities in the U.S. to feel the wrath of Ian. Key West Mayor Teri Johnson tells FOX Weather hw she and her neighbors are getting ready.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in his state over the weekend and encouraged Floridians not to wait to make hurricane preparations.

"I know we've got a lot of people that have moved into the state of Florida," DeSantis said at a news conference on Sunday. "Just make sure you make your preparations."

He also warned residents that power outages and fuel disruptions were likely due to Hurricane Ian.

"That's something that could happen with a hurricane of this magnitude," he said. "And also anticipate that in certain areas of the state, if you are in a very vulnerable area, there may even be evacuations that are issued."

NEW TO FLORIDA? HERE'S A GUIDE TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST HURRICANE SEASON

FOX Weather correspondent Max Gorden is in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, where concerns about a possible storm surge from Tropical Storm Ian are growing.

Key West, Florida, hasn't taken a direct hit from a hurricane since 1846, but it could be one of the first locations in the United States to feel the effects of Hurricane Ian.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston joined FOX Weather on Sunday and said the city has been preparing for Hurricane Ian since Friday.

"Make sure you've got food, water, make sure you've got a good supply of medications, and make sure you have taken into consideration your pets," she said. "The people of Key West are pretty well versed in hurricane preparation. So we are sending out these preparations mostly for the newer people that have come to Key West."

The city of Tampa has also been busy preparing for the possible effects of Hurricane Ian.

"We practice and exercise on a regular basis, ensuring that we are prepared before a storm hits and that we are prepared to serve our community in the event that a storm does hit," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said.

Castor was also asking members of the community to prepare as well.

"That means getting prepared," she said. "Ensuring that you've taken care of your home. Ensuring that you're paying attention to your neighbors. Getting those preparedness kits together."

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EVACUATION

Storm surge on the west coast of Florida will be a major threat from Hurricane Ian. 

Weather conditions are expected to change rapidly once Hurricane Ian nears Florida.

The hurricane has the potential for a dangerous and potentially deadly storm surge, torrential rain, flash flooding, strong wind and tornadoes.

Given Florida's unique coastline, the topography lends itself to the state being highly susceptible to storm-surge flooding during hurricanes.

Storm surge is the rise of water levels caused directly by a storm and does not take into account rainfall or wave size, which can add additional feet on top of a storm's surge.

Emergency officials say now is the time to prepare, and residents are urged to know their evacuation zones in case any evacuation orders are given for residents living along the coast or in low-lying areas.

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'It's worrisome': Hurricane Ian has Florida residents rushing to complete last-minute preparations - Fox Weather
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