"Don't Come Out at All"... 'Maximum Speed 250km/h' Hurricane Makes Landfall in Florida

Expected Damage from 60cm Heavy Rain... 2.5 Million Evacuation Orders
Strengthens Passing Through Gulf of Mexico, Classified as Category 4
640,000 Households Power Outage... Schools Also Closed

A super typhoon approaching the highest category made landfall in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida. Photo by AP News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] A massive hurricane nearing the highest category made landfall in Florida, southeastern United States.

On the 28th (local time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Hurricane Ian made landfall around 3 p.m. near Cayo Costa Island off the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that sea levels could rise up to 18 feet (about 5.5 meters) in some parts of the southwest Florida coastal area directly affected by Hurricane Ian.

Additionally, Hurricane Ian is expected to cause damage due to heavy rainfall reaching 2 feet (about 60 cm) accompanied by strong winds.

Florida and nearby areas are also on high alert.

In Florida, where a state of emergency has been declared statewide, evacuation orders have been issued to 2.5 million residents.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis advised residents who had not evacuated by the morning to seek safe places near their homes, as evacuating late could be more dangerous.

Palm trees in Florida are swaying due to strong winds accompanying Hurricane Ian. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Hurricane Ian, accompanied by strong winds reaching a maximum speed of 155 mph (about 250 km/h), is classified as a Category 4 hurricane.

Hurricane categories range from 1 to 5 based on their strength, with higher numbers indicating greater intensity.

When wind speeds accompanying a hurricane exceed 157 mph (about 253 km/h), it is classified as a Category 5, the highest rating.

Ian, which moved northward from the Caribbean through Cuba, was initially classified as Category 3 but intensified to nearly Category 5 after passing over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, USA, residents are moving around wearing raincoats as heavy rain pours down. Photo by AP Yonhap News

In the past 30 years, only two hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. have reached Category 5.

The Category 5 hurricane Michael, which made landfall in Florida in 2018, caused 16 deaths and $25 billion (about 36 trillion won) in property damage.

Before Hurricane Ian's landfall, heavy rain and strong winds had already caused power outages in 645,000 households in Florida.

Many airports in Florida suspended operations, and schools were closed.

Additionally, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, decided to suspend operations until the 29th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.