Hurricane Ian updates: Florida death toll climbs
Lee County, which encompasses Fort Myers, accounts for most of the fatalities.
The remnants of Ian are charging up the East Coast on Saturday after making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in South Carolina on Friday afternoon.
The monster storm made its first U.S. landfall on Wednesday on Florida's west coast as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, shredding homes with ferocious winds topping 150 mph. Florida's death toll has climbed to at least 81, according to information from local officials.
Latest headlines:
About 2.5 million Floridians under evacuation orders
As Hurricane Ian heads toward Florida, officials’ main concern is the threat of storm surge and catastrophic flooding, Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.
DeSantis reiterated that there is still time to prepare or evacuate.
About 2.5 million Floridians are under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders, he said.
-ABC News’ Alex Faul
Tornado watches issued in South Florida
Tornado watches have been issued in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples and Key West as Hurricane Ian approaches.
The watches are in effect until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Latest forecast shows landfall in Tampa Bay area
The forecast has shifted significantly east, now with landfall expected in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night into early Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane.
This would mark Tampa Bay’s first direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921.
Slow-moving Ian is expected to drop more than 15 inches of rain from Tampa to Orlando.
Major flooding is possible in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Hurricane Ian makes landfall after strengthening to major storm
Hurricane Ian made landfall over western Cuba early on Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
“Satellite and radar data indicate that the center of Ian has made landfall just southwest of the town of La Coloma in the Pinar Del Rio Province of Cuba at 4:30 a.m.,” the center said.
Ian’s winds at landfall were estimated at a maximum of 125 mph, making the storm a Category 3 hurricane.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Tropical Storm Ian will rapidly intensify Sunday, forecasts show
Ian remains a tropical storm with winds of 50 mph, but the storm system is expected to rapidly intensify on Sunday as it moves over warm waters in the Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The seawater currently carries very favorable conditions for strengthening over the coming days, with temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- the perfect temperatures for fueling a powerful storm as it stays over open water.
Ian is expected to strengthen to a hurricane by Sunday night and into a major hurricane later Monday night as it passes by Cuba.
The NHC currently forecasts Ian to strengthen into a major Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward Florida.
Ian is expected to make landfall on the west coast or the panhandle of Florida on Wednesday or Thursday.
Some weakening could occur before the storm system makes landfall, possibly dipping below major hurricane status before impacting coastal communities.
A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the western portion of Cuba, where flooding rains and major storm surge are forecast.
-ABC News' Riley Winch