Charlotte County is bracing for life-threatening impacts as Hurricane Ian approaches, Patrick Fuller, the county Emergency Management director, told reporters on Tuesday.
“Ian is a major hurricane and we are forecast to receive life-threatening impacts here in Charlotte County. We urge our residents and visitors to seek shelter,” Fuller said.
He added that Red and Orange zones in the county are now under mandatory evacuation orders. The decision was prompted by a change in the storm’s forecast track that increased storm surge vulnerability in those areas.
Authorities now expect a storm surge of anywhere from 6 to 12 feet in Charlotte County, which is located on the southwest coast of Florida.
Fuller urged residents and visitors to seek shelter now. He said that all evacuation orders are considered mandatory, that the county does not issue voluntary orders, and also warned residents that they may not be able to assist those who choose to stay.
The orders affect about 120,000 residents, Fuller added.
And for those residents still trying to decide whether to stay and ride out the storm, Fuller said that window is closing. “Time is getting short so now is the time to make your preparedness decisions and evacuate those area and seek safety.”
