Weather & Science
Storm Surge Danger From Hurricanes Is Elevated by Higher Seas
Sea-level rise linked to climate change exacerbates storm surge — like the monster inundation Ian is expected to bring to Florida.
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After raking Cuba early on Tuesday, Hurricane Ian has continued to strengthen as it moved northeast over the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida’s west coast, where it’s expected to make landfall on Wednesday. The huge storm’s winds have reached 155 miles per hour, just shy of Category 5 strength, the most powerful rating for a storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Only four Category 5 hurricanes have hit mainland US in records going back to 1851. Numerous counties in Florida have issued evacuation orders.