Ian has rapidly intensified overnight into this morning. A USAF reconnaissance aircraft currently investigating the hurricane found that the pressure has dropped to 937 mb and flight level winds as high as 160 knots (~184 mph). Maximum sustained wind speeds at the surface are estimated to be 155 mph. That puts Ian just below category 5 intensity.
Movement is still north-northeast, but slightly slower at 9 mph. Landfall is expected this afternoon or evening in/around Charlotte Harbor.
The NHC is now forecasting a catastrophic storm surge of 12-16′ from Bonita Beach to Englewood.
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