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.
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5,000 Florida Guardsmen activated and prepping for Hurricane Ian
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen to armories across the state in preparation for Hurricane Ian, which is forecast to hit the state on Wednesday.
Roughly 2,000 National Guard members from neighboring states such as Tennessee are also being activated to assist, the Florida National Guard said in a statement Tuesday.
"The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more," the statement said.
The U.S. Navy has authorized non-essential personnel in various Florida counties to evacuate.
-ABC News’ Matt Seyler
Landfall forecast for Wednesday afternoon or evening
Hurricane Ian, barreling north toward Florida with 120 mph winds, is now located about 230 miles away from Sarasota.
Ian is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon or early evening.
Ian's outer bands are already hitting South Florida, bringing a threat of heavy downpours, strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and even tornadoes. A tornado watch is in effect for South Florida until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
-ABC News’ Dan Peck
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando to close
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will close Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm.
Coastal Georgia, South Carolina under tropical storm watches
As Ian moves north over Florida, tropical storm force winds will reach coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Savannah and near Charleston.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency.
Winds near Category 5 as storm approaches Florida
Hurricane Ian approached Category 5 status at about 6:30 a.m. ET, with its winds topping out at 155 mph.
Only four hurricanes have ever made landfall in the continental U.S. with winds over 155 mph: Labor Day in 1935 with 185 mph winds; Camille in 1969 with 175 mph winds; Andrew in 1992 with 165 mph; and Michael in 2018 with 160 mph.
Severe Category 5 hurricanes have winds above 157 mph.
“Rapidly intensifying Ian forecast to cause catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding in the Florida peninsula,” the National Hurricane Center said at 7 a.m. ET.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo and Samantha Wnek