National

All of Cuba was without power late Tuesday after Hurricane Ian swept through in the morning and severely flooded the Caribbean island.

The latest: Work was under way to restore power to the nation of 11 million after the electrical grid collapsed due to the major hurricane, per a statement from Cuba's Electric Union. 

Ian initially cut power to roughly 1 million Cuban residents as thousands of people fled the storm, AP notes.

The big picture: Ian made landfall as a Category 3 storm at 4:30am ET Tuesday in Pinar del Río province, western Cuba — where officials set up shelters, evacuated thousands of people and rushed in emergency personnel to help protect crops in the nation’s main tobacco-growing region.

State of play: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said "significant wind and storm surge impacts" occurred Tuesday morning in the west coast of the island.

Ian struck with sustained winds of 125 mph and left the island after 1 pm ET on Tuesday, when it entered the Gulf of Mexico, the NHC tweeted.

Antonio Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), told local reporters that the entity was "keeping a close watch" on the dams in western Cuba, which are at 94% capacity.

What they're saying: "All the country's aid will be centered on this province, heavily damaged by #HurricaneIan," Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel tweeted from Pinar del Río, where officials evacuated around 40,000 people.

What we're watching: Ian was expected to bring western Cuba 6 to 12 inches of rain with isolated totals up to 16 inches. 

Rain was likely to lead to flash flooding and mudslides, per the NHC.

Go deeper: Hurricane Ian approaches Category 4 intensity as it heads toward Florida

Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without any power

Ian struck the island with sustained winds of 125 mph.

People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, on Sept. 27 during the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

Cuba

Extreme weather

All of Cuba was without power late Tuesday after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Ian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" data-vars-content-id="143d8595-b88a-4a31-85b4-a6acdbf33de8" data-vars-headline="Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without any power" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" target="_self">Hurricane Ian</a> swept through in the morning and severely flooded the Caribbean island.The latest: Work was under way to restore power to the nation of 11 million after the electrical grid collapsed due to the major hurricane, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a statement" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/OSDE_UNE/status/1574919396648165376" data-vars-content-id="143d8595-b88a-4a31-85b4-a6acdbf33de8" data-vars-headline="Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without any power" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/OSDE_UNE/status/1574919396648165376" target="_blank">a statement</a> from Cuba&#x27;s Electric Union.

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Energy & Environment

After Hurricane Ian tore into western Cuba leaving the island without electricity on Tuesday, officials said Wednesday they had begun to restore some power, AP reports.

Driving the news: Cuba's Energy and Mines Ministry announced it had restored energy to three regions, including parts of the capital, Havana, after activating two large power plants in Felton and Nuevitas, per AP.

Officials were still working to get other provinces and regions back online.

The big picture: Ian made landfall as a Category 3 storm at 4:30am ET Tuesday in Pinar del Río province, western Cuba — where officials set up shelters and rushed in emergency personnel to help protect crops in the nation’s main tobacco-growing region.

As of Wednesday afternoon, two people were reported to have been killed in Pinar del Río, according to local media cited by AP.

A welcome sign in San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba, is seen in the street after being knocked down by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 27. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

Tobacco farm owner Maritza Carpio surveys her destroyed tobacco house in San Juan y Martínez on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

woman stands in front of her destroyed home in Cuba

Tobacco company worker Caridad Álvarez stands in her house destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

distraught people carrying supplies during a hurricane

Caridad Álvarez (right) and her husband Alberto Naranjo on Sept. 27 carrying their belongings. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

man standing inside of his home destroyed by Hurricane Ian

Self-employed worker Alberto Naranjo surveys his destroyed house in San Juan y Martinez on Sept. 27. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

A damaged house and flooded area in San Juan y Martinez. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

Men sitting on a roof repairing it after Hurricane Ian

People repair a damaged roof in San Juan y Martinez. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

man walks through a street during Hurricane Ian

A man walking along a street of San Juan y Martinez on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

people transporting their belongings by an ox cart in Cuba after a hurricane

Cubans in San Juan y Martinez transport their personal belongings in an ox cart on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images

The sun is seen rising and illuminating Havana on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

The El Capitolio Nacional building in Havana, Cuba, seen during a blackout on Sept. 27. Cuba was left in the dark on that night due to a widespread blackout caused by damage to its power grid. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

power line knocked down during hurricane in Cuba

People are seen observing part of a power line in a street in Pinar del Río on Sept. 27. Photo: Yander Zamora/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

people observe waves after a hurricane in Cuba

People are seen standing and observing the waves hitting the Malecon in Havana on Sept. 28 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

A man walks through a flooded street in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

man cleaning sewer in flooded street in Cuba after Hurricane Ian

A man cleans a sewer at the Malecon in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

two people walking through a flooded street in Havana, Cuba

People walk through a flooded street in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

A man walks by the Malecon in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

Live updates: Hurricane Ian just below Category 5 intensity, nears Florida

In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba

Officials began restoring electricity early Wednesday after Hurricane Ian left the entire island without power.

car drives through a flooded street in Havana, Cuba

An old American car passes through a flooded street in Havana on Sept. 28 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

hurricanes

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Ian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" target="_self">Hurricane Ian</a> tore into western Cuba leaving the island <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="without electricity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/hurricane-ian-cuba-pinar-del-rio" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/hurricane-ian-cuba-pinar-del-rio" target="_self">without electricity</a> on Tuesday, officials said Wednesday they had begun to restore some power, AP <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/hurricanes-cuba-caribbean-power-outages-205dc50567955f2875aadbfb0f4941c2" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricanes-cuba-caribbean-power-outages-205dc50567955f2875aadbfb0f4941c2" target="_blank">reports</a>.Driving the news: Cuba&#x27;s Energy and Mines Ministry announced it had restored energy to three regions, including parts of the capital, Havana, after activating two large power plants in Felton and Nuevitas, per AP.<ul><li>Officials were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still working" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/OSDE_UNE/status/1575136775177216004" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/OSDE_UNE/status/1575136775177216004" target="_blank">still working</a> to get other provinces and regions back online.</li></ul>The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ian made landfall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/ian-major-hurricane-cuba-florida" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/ian-major-hurricane-cuba-florida" target="_self">Ian made landfall</a> as a Category 3 storm at 4:30am ET Tuesday in Pinar del Río province, western Cuba — where officials set up shelters and rushed in emergency personnel to help protect crops in the nation’s main tobacco-growing region.<ul><li>As of Wednesday afternoon, two people were reported to have been killed in Pinar del Río, according to local media cited by AP.</li></ul><h5>In photos</h5><figure><img alt="stand knocked down by hurricane in cuba" height="984" id="d2fc691f-abd0-485c-89ca-e573e99610e2" src="https://images.axios.com/x0BLDZ358A9ig-gx9NzVuRm8byk=/2022/09/28/1664385283483.jpg" width="1489"/><figcaption>A welcome sign in San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba, is seen in the street after being knocked down by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 27. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="woman outside her destroyed house cuba " height="1080" id="e23e82f6-d60c-4b9b-9741-0e86d86775dd" src="https://images.axios.com/BKNk3RrEE2gjO1wWYQ1wMCSE1zs=/2022/09/28/1664385517102.jpg" width="1620"/><figcaption>Tobacco farm owner Maritza Carpio surveys her destroyed tobacco house in San Juan y Martínez on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="woman stands in front of her destroyed home in Cuba" height="934" id="70752970-dae6-4df4-a07b-94b1dca65de4" src="https://images.axios.com/77iw2_I-6PY3-Zf_rgmfYfqSCcQ=/2022/09/28/1664385181438.jpg" width="1468"/><figcaption>Tobacco company worker Caridad Álvarez stands in her house destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="distraught people carrying supplies during a hurricane" height="1080" id="f081c14f-e634-42a3-a3bd-87f07120cf72" src="https://images.axios.com/3_ppVzWVt7pxwPCMHroo78j8QeI=/2022/09/28/1664384797767.jpg" width="1620"/><figcaption>Caridad Álvarez (right) and her husband Alberto Naranjo on Sept. 27 carrying their belongings. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="man standing inside of his home destroyed by Hurricane Ian" height="1080" id="5d31cdfa-57c5-404e-8d13-98bea19ed315" src="https://images.axios.com/YXdN1saIDRnL5OgXQuNlPYTunQo=/2022/09/28/1664385716167.jpg" width="1620"/><figcaption>Self-employed worker Alberto Naranjo surveys his destroyed house in San Juan y Martinez on Sept. 27. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="flood" height="1080" id="2f126c4f-571b-464e-ab7e-f40bf1e751a0" src="https://images.axios.com/oF2EwYPRecQY9mSQZNYS2EGln9w=/2022/09/28/1664385814352.jpg" width="1620"/><figcaption>A damaged house and flooded area in San Juan y Martinez. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="Men sitting on a roof repairing it after Hurricane Ian" height="872" id="85f746a6-18f6-4cbd-8123-5b071d0b6719" src="https://images.axios.com/Qa1izW9HoE-Pdk1pU0J2JvWb8lI=/2022/09/28/1664385951479.jpg" width="1399"/><figcaption>People repair a damaged roof in San Juan y Martinez. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="man walks through a street during Hurricane Ian" height="987" id="fccbc4a5-77c1-4116-9a3d-d28d4c381ea1" src="https://images.axios.com/jm04NpHJRcmF3JeLt33LS4qP_tg=/2022/09/28/1664386083713.jpg" width="1498"/><figcaption>A man walking along a street of San Juan y Martinez on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="people transporting their belongings by an ox cart in Cuba after a hurricane" height="1080" id="a9c9930a-7f48-4f8d-925a-e1ad5ff2f825" src="https://images.axios.com/04sscSko2NvyQEOD_2HG0fTEhUE=/2022/09/28/1664386342757.jpg" width="1620"/><figcaption>Cubans in San Juan y Martinez transport their personal belongings in an ox cart on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="Havana sunrise" height="5975" id="626b1faf-1bf7-47c0-8496-78e89f302104" src="https://images.axios.com/BXCAPHDSdCKK35aQ-of4dK2ETEc=/2022/09/28/1664384229525.jpg" width="8366"/><figcaption>The sun is seen rising and illuminating Havana on Sept. 27 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="blackout in Havana, Cuba" height="1599" id="4e27ac63-dae7-4dc6-8786-8bb14e389f02" src="https://images.axios.com/UPHCpP7fbNbviFOueIJZK9xlbgo=/2022/09/28/1664386567620.jpg" width="2670"/><figcaption>The El Capitolio Nacional building in Havana, Cuba, seen during a blackout on Sept. 27. Cuba was left in the dark on that night due to a widespread blackout caused by damage to its power grid. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="power line knocked down during hurricane in Cuba" height="3072" id="944b494c-d6ae-43a0-b20a-bd2852fb1353" src="https://images.axios.com/SRtoQpQLhEYEFbQd42bVedmdup4=/2022/09/28/1664386862141.jpg" width="4096"/><figcaption>People are seen observing part of a power line in a street in Pinar del Río on Sept. 27. Photo: Yander Zamora/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="people observe waves after a hurricane in Cuba" height="3700" id="67506c3d-6aab-42b8-8e45-43e63a8a0d8b" src="https://images.axios.com/I85fn0AiN88WvOjyzx0P0VzQN0Y=/2022/09/28/1664387032570.jpg" width="5550"/><figcaption>People are seen standing and observing the waves hitting the Malecon in Havana on Sept. 28 after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="man standing in a flooded Cuba street" height="3713" id="7ed9eff4-0341-4ecb-9fb5-04f9c788d086" src="https://images.axios.com/5gTGARCcRrKigK23XfeP6Vcttfg=/2022/09/28/1664387184241.jpg" width="5569"/><figcaption>A man walks through a flooded street in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="man cleaning sewer in flooded street in Cuba after Hurricane Ian" height="3657" id="cb1c28c4-2785-49e8-9c6d-0e267fefb60b" src="https://images.axios.com/xSuaIWkn9TW4iB-04olYie4Hyq4=/2022/09/28/1664387389674.jpg" width="5485"/><figcaption>A man cleans a sewer at the Malecon in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="two people walking through a flooded street in Havana, Cuba" height="4024" id="59b36691-5971-4dd3-8304-7a04ca5ff472" src="https://images.axios.com/mD1R9NHA9QynGUTjlfBpq-o2vVk=/2022/09/28/1664387862383.jpg" width="6048"/><figcaption>People walk through a flooded street in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="man in the street as a wave is coming" height="3942" id="582e4a6e-8132-42a0-bff1-906c111d6163" src="https://images.axios.com/S1QVqfofnSei1C0ClHmGxLC3ljE=/2022/09/28/1664388031736.jpg" width="5914"/><figcaption>A man walks by the Malecon in Havana on Sept. 28. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Go deeper:<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without any power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/hurricane-ian-cuba-pinar-del-rio" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/hurricane-ian-cuba-pinar-del-rio" target="_self">Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without any power</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live updates: Hurricane Ian just below Category 5 intensity, nears Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" data-vars-content-id="2c0ca285-66eb-47c5-ae6c-a0d41477a72a" data-vars-headline="In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" target="_self">Live updates: Hurricane Ian just below Category 5 intensity, nears Florida</a></li></ul>

As the re-intensifying Tropical Storm Ian heads over to the Carolinas on Thursday, Florida is dealing with severe damage in the hurricane's aftermath. 

The big picture: Parts of the Florida mainland experienced widespread power outages and flash flooding as Ian crossed through the state Wednesday after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. 

Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Sanibel Island, Naples and Cape Coral saw damage from flooding on Wednesday.

Homes in Fort Myers Beach were damaged or destroyed by the record-high surge, Axios' Jacob Knutson reports.

An area where homes once stood is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 29 in Fort Myers Beach. Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

man biking through a flooded street in Florida

A man rides a bike in a flooded street in Fort Myers on Sept. 29. Photo: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

people sit in a truck in a flooded Florida street

People are seen carrying their belongings at the rear of a truck making its way through a flooded street in Fort Myers on Sept. 29. Photo: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

people clean hurricane debris found around their mobile home

Residents of mobile homes clean up debris in Fort Myers on Sept. 29. Photo: Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view of a flooded neighborhood in Fort Myers on Sept. 29. Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

Piled-up boats are seen in Fort Myers on Sept. 29. Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

An aerial view of damaged homes is seen in Punta Gorda on Sept. 29. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

A vehicle is seen stuck on a submerged road in downtown Punta Gorda on Sept. 29. Photo: Ben Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Trees fell on the road in downtown Punta Gorda on Sept. 29 due to winds from Hurricane Ian. Photo: Ben Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

man walking through fallen trees after hurricane

A man walks through debris on a street in Punta Gorda on Sept. 29. Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

man cleans up debris after a hurricane next to an American flag

Tom Park begins cleaning up in Punta Gorda on Sept. 29. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

People return to a sand-covered street in Bonita Springs on Sept. 29. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

people standing around hurricane debris and a damaged car

People embrace as they survey property damage in Bonita Springs on Sept 29. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Debris is seen across a beach in Bonita Springs on Sept. 29. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Florida begins recovery efforts as Ian moves through state

Biden intends to visit Florida and Puerto Rico after hurricane devastation

Live updates: Hurricane warning issued for South Carolina coast

In photos: Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian

Parts of the Florida mainland experienced infrastructure damage, widespread power outages and flash flooding.

Damaged homes and debris are shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla. on Sept. 29. Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Hurricane Ian

As the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="re-intensifying Tropical Storm Ian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" data-vars-content-id="5f1cba77-240a-4ada-ae53-6ddb57c5f181" data-vars-headline="In photos: Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" target="_self">re-intensifying Tropical Storm Ian</a> heads <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over to the Carolinas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/29/live-updates-tropical-storm-ian-georgia-carolinas-thursday" data-vars-content-id="5f1cba77-240a-4ada-ae53-6ddb57c5f181" data-vars-headline="In photos: Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/29/live-updates-tropical-storm-ian-georgia-carolinas-thursday" target="_self">over to the Carolinas</a> on Thursday, Florida is dealing with severe damage in the hurricane&#x27;s aftermath. The big picture: Parts of the Florida mainland experienced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="widespread power outages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/28/hurricane-ian-florida-power-outage" data-vars-content-id="5f1cba77-240a-4ada-ae53-6ddb57c5f181" data-vars-headline="In photos: Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/28/hurricane-ian-florida-power-outage" target="_self">widespread power outages</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flash flooding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/29/florida-hurricane-ian-flooding" data-vars-content-id="5f1cba77-240a-4ada-ae53-6ddb57c5f181" data-vars-headline="In photos: Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/29/florida-hurricane-ian-flooding" target="_self">flash flooding</a> as Ian crossed through the state Wednesday after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane.

Around 5,000 Florida National Guard members are on standby to help residents as Hurricane Ian nears the state. 

Driving the news: Hurricane Ian is on the verge of becoming a Category 5 storm ahead of its expected landfall along Florida's west coast on Wednesday. Weather officials predict catastrophic storm surges, rain and flooding.

The details: Florida National Guard members and equipment have been staged at armories and bases, per a news release.

The Guard has 16 helicopters, 1,640 high-wheeled vehicles, seven boats, 36 fuel tankers and generators to conduct search and rescue operations, clear roads and assist law enforcement.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday at a news briefing that nearly 250 aircraft, more than 1,600 high water vehicles and over 300 boats are also on standby. 

Around 2,000 Guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also on standby to help. 

Guard members are prepared to give out food and water at multiple distribution points.

A satellite system has also been put in place to provide voice, video and data communications in case of infrastructure damage, according to a tweet.

What they're saying: "The biggest thing we're worried about is people following their local guidance so we can reduce the number of victims," Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in a statement. "Our focus is saving lives and (to) get people out of situations that may be potentially life-threatening."

Go deeper: Live updates: Hurricane Ian just below Category 5 intensity, nears Florida

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information provided by Florida's governor.

Thousands of Florida National Guard troops ready to respond to Hurricane Ian

Around 2,000 Guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also on standby to help.

A sailboat is beached at Sarasota Bay in Florida on Wednesday as Hurricane Ian approaches. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5,000 Florida National Guard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/3172604/national-guard-staged-for-florida-hurricane-response/" data-vars-content-id="8d2edb6f-95c1-4ff6-a440-23cc3c326b42" data-vars-headline="Thousands of Florida National Guard troops ready to respond to Hurricane Ian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/3172604/national-guard-staged-for-florida-hurricane-response/" target="_blank">5,000 Florida National Guard</a> members are on standby to help residents as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Ian nears the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" data-vars-content-id="8d2edb6f-95c1-4ff6-a440-23cc3c326b42" data-vars-headline="Thousands of Florida National Guard troops ready to respond to Hurricane Ian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/27/live-hurricane-ian-southwest-florida" target="_self">Hurricane Ian nears the state</a>. Driving the news: Hurricane Ian is on the verge of becoming a Category 5 storm ahead of its expected landfall along Florida&#x27;s west coast on Wednesday. Weather officials predict catastrophic storm surges, rain and flooding.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

North Carolina has had a “front-row seat when it comes to the effects of climate change," Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said Sunday on "Meet the Press," in the aftermath of one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the U.S. 

Driving the news: The White House approved an emergency declaration for North Carolina after massive storm Ian, which hit Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida and South Carolina, ripped through the state late Friday and early Saturday.

Details: "We are making sure that we have become a clean energy safe haven and that we are paying attention to resiliency," said Cooper, who added that the state has completed a climate risk assessment and resiliency plan. 

"We know that these areas are vulnerable so what we're doing is making sure that we are using strategies like elevation and even buyouts." 

"We've gone into local communities that have gotten hit several times and it has just become better to make sure that we create green space where homes and businesses used to be to soak up water that may come from a river flood and then to relocate people," he added.

The big picture: Extreme weather trends seen with Ian and over the past several years point to a key role in human-caused climate change, Axios' Andrew Freedman writes.

Hurricanes are fueled by warm, tropical waters and the oceans are absorbing extra heat going into the climate system due to human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases.

All landfalling storms now bring more dangerous coastal flooding due to human-caused sea level rise.

These changes combined with warmer summers are causing climate scientists to forecast things to get worse.  

Governor: North Carolina has "front-row seat" to impact of climate change

"We are making sure that we have become a clean energy safe haven and that we are paying attention to resiliency," Roy Cooper said.

Climate change

North Carolina has had a “front-row seat when it comes to the effects of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a>,&quot; Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said Sunday on &quot;Meet the Press,&quot; in the aftermath of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the strongest hurricanes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/30/hurricane-ian-florida-death-toll" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/30/hurricane-ian-florida-death-toll" target="_self">one of the strongest hurricanes</a> to hit the U.S. Driving the news: The White House approved an emergency declaration for North Carolina after massive storm Ian, which hit Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida and South Carolina, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ripped through the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/30/live-updates-tropical-storm-ian-carolinas-friday" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/30/live-updates-tropical-storm-ian-carolinas-friday" target="_self">ripped through the state</a> late Friday and early Saturday.

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Governor: North Carolina has "front-row seat" to impact of climate change

In photos: Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian

In photos: The impact of Hurricane Ian on Cuba

Thousands of Florida National Guard troops ready to respond to Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without any power