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WEATHER

Hurricane Ian updates from Tuesday: Tropical storm warning for Palm Beach County, schools closed

Made landfall over western Cuba as a 125-mph Category 3 hurricane

Kimberly Miller
Palm Beach Post
  • It's expected to reach 140-mph Cat 4 strength tonight
  • It shifted slightly eastward early Tuesday
  • Flood watch in effect for all of South Florida

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Hurricane Ian was building back muscle as of the 2 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center with wind speeds at 120 mph after leaving Cuba and beginning its warm-water binge in the Gulf of Mexico. 

The 5 p.m. NHC advisory extended hurricane and tropical warnings throughout peninsula Florida.

Jupiter issues emergency declaration ahead of Ian

A declaration of emergency was issued for the Town of Jupiter for Wednesday "out of an abundance of caution" as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida.

Jupiter’s Town Hall, Community Center, Jupiter Community Park, Cinquez Park and Abacoa Community Park will be closed and non-essential services suspended on Wednesday.

All athletic fields and facilities located within Town of Jupiter parks will also be closed Wednesday. The Jupiter Police Department will continue patrols, unless weather conditions necessitate otherwise, and will be available to answer emergency calls.

5 p.m. Hurricane Ian update

A storm surge warning was in effect along Florida's west coast as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, with the highest risk spanning from Naples to Sarasota.

Hurricane-force winds are expected in southwest and west-central Florida beginning Wednesday morning, with tropical storm conditions expected overnight. 

Heavy rainfall will affect most of the Florida Peninsula over the coming days, spreading to the rest of the southeast U.S. by Thursday and Friday. 

FPL says to expect power outages as Ian looms

The soggy conditions leading up to sluggish Hurricane Ian will make for “challenges in the days ahead,” said Florida Power & Light CEO Eric Silagy on Tuesday.

“We have a ground that is very saturated from a lot of rain over the course of the past weeks and months, and so we fully expect that there will be a lot of trees that go over. There will be a lot of debris that flies through the air,” he said during a news conference at FPL’s Command Center in West Palm Beach, also highlighting the risk of rainfall, flooding and storm surge.

As the storm passes overhead, FPL said customers should anticipate outages, even potentially prolonged ones lasting between 12 and 24 hours or several days. It all depends on how strong and slow the storm is and where it ultimately ends up, Silagy said.

“We may see tornadoes. We may see very strong pockets of damage, which cause us to actually have to rebuild the system, which will just take longer to (restore power),” Silagy said.

Palm Beach County officials address concerns over hurricane's impact

While Palm Beach County appeared poised to escape the deadly wrath of Hurricane Ian, county officials on Tuesday said steps were being taken to protect residents from high winds and heavy rains that are expected.

Road crews were out clearing debris from storm drains. Teams were talking to homeless people, offering them shelter. Government buildings, county-run health clinics and schools will be closed Wednesday. Garbage collection and PalmTran bus service will be suspended.

A perennial area of concern is the impact a hurricane could have on the untested 143-mile-long levee that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. The Herbert Hoover Dike was built after thousands perished in the 1920s when hurricanes pushed water out of the lake, causing catastrophic flooding in the rural western reaches of the county.

Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, who represents the Glades community, said a dry summer and recent repairs to the dike should assure that residents will remain safe even if Hurricane Ian wobbles east toward the lake.

“I’m more confident than I’ve ever been,” said McKinlay, who has sounded the alarm about possible breaches in previous hurricanes.

The lake is 2 ½ feet below where it typically is at this time of year, she said. That means it can accommodate heavy rains that are expected.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built and maintains the dike, said it is “in the best position it’s been in decades,” McKinlay said.

FAU, Keiser University cancel Wednesday classes

All Florida Atlantic University classes, including those online, are canceled Wednesday. FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute campus in Saint Lucie County will suspend operations Wednesday and Thursday.

Students living on campus in Boca Raton and Jupiter are allowed to stay on campus, according to a university announcement. All dining halls will remain open and on regular schedules.

A decision about Thursday classes and operations for the Boca Raton, Davie, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale and SeaTech campuses will be made as information becomes available.

Keiser University's campuses in West Palm Beach are also slated to close Wednesday. That includes the flagship campus on North Military Trail and the campus on Vista Parkway.

"Should circumstances prevent the re-opening of the campuses for normal operations, this information will be communicated to students, faculty, and staff," the university said in a news release. 

Palm Beach County courts closed Wednesday

All circuit court offices will be closed Wednesday due to Hurricane Ian. All appointments for passport applications, marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies have been canceled. Customers can reschedule appointments online. 

Jury duty is also canceled Wednesday. Jurors will receive a new summons mailed to their home with a substitute date for jury duty, according to the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts.

Residents who need to pay a traffic ticket, file court documents, purchase certified court records or make child support or alimony payments should use the Clerk's online services while the offices are closed. 

Palm Beach County suspends garbage pickup Wednesday

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County will be closed Wednesday, suspending garbage pickup in all unincorporated parts of the county.

"Authorities in all the cities have their own garbage contracts and companies, and they can choose to service their areas," said Joanna Aiken, community services coordinator with the Solid Waste Authority. "However, they usually follow suit with solid waste, because they have nowhere to take their trash if they do pick it up for the cities."

Waste Management, which services all of Jupiter, suspended garbage pickup Wednesday at the direction of the county.

The village of Wellington tweeted a reminder to residents to secure their garbage and recycling bins on their property, rather than at the curb.

The village of North Palm Beach asked that residents refrain from trimming their trees until the storm has passed, as branches could become dangerous flying objects in heavy wind.

2 p.m. Hurricane Ian update, wind speeds up to 120 mph

2 p.m. Hurricane Ian update

The storm, a Category 3, was moving north at 10 mph and was about 85 miles south-southwest of the Dry Tortugas. Tropical storm-force winds extended a yawning 140 miles from Ian's eye with hurricane force-winds reaching 35 miles from center. 

No new watches or warnings were issued with the 2 p.m. update.

More:Hurricane tracker: Where is Ian headed?

'Make preparations now':DeSantis urges vigilance as Ian poised to strike as major hurricane

Ian's forecast track stretches from the Big Bend area to Fort Myers, but the center of the cone takes the storm into Venice, just south of Sarasota, Wednesday evening as a 125- mph Category 3 hurricane. 

"However, it should be emphasized that this track remains very uncertain, with a typical spread in the steering features leading to big speed and track differences down the line," said NHC senior hurricane specialist Eric Blake. 

Palm Beach County is expected to begin feeling tropical storm-force winds early Wednesday. 

Palm Beach State College to close at 5 p.m. 

All Palm Beach State College campuses will close at 5 p.m. today and remain closed on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

All in-person classes and online classes scheduled at these times are cancelled. The College will continue monitoring Hurricane Ian. A decision will be made by noon on Wednesday about the status of College operations for Thursday.

Drawbridges closing in Palm Beach County

The Florida Department of Transportation is locking down drawbridges in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties for the duration of Hurricane Ian. 

Bridges will remain open to car traffic. Mariners should check the Coast Guard notice to mariners for updates and more information here. 

Canals can handle heavy rains, officials said

Homeowners associations wanting to empty lakes into Lake Worth Drainage District canals may be disappointed. Executive Director Tommy Strowd said that water needs to be preserved as South Florida enters its dry season. 

A parched summer means the district's canals can handle the heavy rainfall coming with Hurricane Ian. 

As of 11 a.m., as much as 4 inches of rain had already fallen in parts of southern Palm Beach County. 

More Hurricane Ian info:Best insurance tips whether storm inflicts damage on Palm Beach County or not

Amtrak cancels some trains, Tri-Rail, PalmTran still running for now 

Almost all routes departing from and arriving to Florida through Thursday are so far canceled, specifically those traveling to or from north, central or west Florida. No announcements have been made yet for Friday routes. 

Tri-Rail currently has not canceled any transportation services. Tri-Rail spokesperson Victor Garcia said Monday that the company would start making plans to shut down the railroad when winds are forecasted to go above 35 mph.

PalmTran will take residents to the nearest general population shelter if the county declares an evacuation PalmTran is not anticipating service disruptions but are monitoring Ian's progress. People can keep up to date by reviewing its social media accounts or texting RIDE to 561-589-1919. 

11 a.m. update on Hurricane Ian, tropical storm warning issued for Palm Beach County

11 a.m. track forecast on Sept. 27, 2022.

Hurricane Ian's track as of the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center has shifted southeast again triggering a tropical storm warning for Palm Beach County north to southern Georgia. 

The storm's wind speeds decreased to 115 mph, which is still a Category 3 hurricane. It is about 125 miles south-southwest of the Dry Tortugas and 305 miles south-southwest of Sarasota. 

Ian is expected to regain its wind speeds and increase to a 140 mph Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.

More:Hurricane Ian live updates: Tropical storm watch issued for Palm Beach County

More:Hurricane tracker: Where is Ian headed?

'Make preparations now':DeSantis urges vigilance as Ian poised to strike as major hurricane

 A tropical storm warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected in the area within 36 hours. 

Most likely arrival time of tropical storm-force winds.

With a shift in the forecast track to the southeast, the center of the cone shows Ian making a landfall in Sarasota as a 125 mph Category 3 hurricane Wednesday evening. That's six to 12 hours earlier than previously 

The shift in track also increases the chances that Palm Beach County will feel tropical storm-force winds. There is now a 60 to 80% chance that the county will begin feeling tropical storm-force winds Wednesday morning.

Palm Beach County schools closed Wednesday because of Ian 

Palm Beach County schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida. 

All after-school activities, including sports, school meetings and leases are also canceled Wednesday. 

A decision regarding closures beyond Wednesday is under consideration, and that information will be shared with parents and staff in an expedient manner. 

Schools are open today, but all extracurricular activities, athletics, evening classes, including adult evening classes, are canceled. 

Builders prepared for Ian, put cranes in 'weather-vane mode'

Builders throughout Palm Beach County have spent the past several days prepping construction sites in advance of the storm and its potentially damaging winds. 

Some materials are moved into buildings if they are constructed; others are tied down or moved into containers on site, said Kast Construction Senior Vice President Dave DeMay. 

DeMay said Kast also switched its tower cranes in Palm Beach County into weather-vane mode, meaning towers will spin with the wind.  

In Palm Beach County, Kast adjusted cranes at One West Palm, a twin-tower housing, office and hotel complex in West Palm Beach; Nautilus 220, a twin-tower condominium project on the waterfront in Lake Park; PGA Station, an office complex in Palm Beach Gardens; and 350 Australian, an apartment tower now under construction in West Palm Beach. 

Suffolk Construction also has been prepping construction sites for the past several days, according to John Murphy, safety director for Suffolks’s Southeast region. 

These steps include securing or moving materials on the site, emptying dumpers and cleaning up any loose debris, Murphy said. In Palm Beach County, Suffolk is building the Royal Palm Residences, a luxury condominium complex in Boca Raton. 

Insurance information you need now

Former Florida Deputy Insurance Commissioner Lisa Miller issued these tips on Tuesday.

Take pictures or videos with your phone camera of the outside and the inside of your home so that you can document current conditions and an inventory of your possessions. 

Note the website and toll-free claims number of your homeowners and automobile insurance companies.  (The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation maintains this master list of contact information.) 

If you suffer damage, call your insurance company immediately to report it. Take pictures or short videos of the damage. Avoid solicitors or contractors offering to get on your roof for a free inspection who oftentimes will have you unknowingly sign the rights to your insurance policy over to them. 

College football games relocated as Ian approaches

The University of South Florida's football game with East Carolina is expected to relocate to Boca Raton.

Athletic departments for the University of South Florida and East Carolina University are expected to announce the location change this morning.

Originally scheduled for a 7 p.m. start on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the American Athletic Conference duel is set to move to Howard Schnellenberger Field at Florida Atlantic University.

Florida Atlantic (2-3) and North Texas (2-3) will play Saturday in Denton, Texas, leaving a venue and better forecast for the Bulls (1-3) and the Pirates (2-2) on Saturday.

Tampa Bay Bucs move practices to Miami Gardens

As Hurricane Ian heads to the Tampa Bay area, that area's NFL team, the Buccaneers, is are moving their practices to the Miami Dolphins facilities at Miami's Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens for the week, per multiple reports.

The team also said it is talking with the NFL regarding possible contingency plans for the week, including the potential for having to move Sunday night’s home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It's not known if Miami is a potential site for that relocated game.

The Dolphins play at Cincinnati on Thursday night so they won't need their practice field or Hard Rock Stadium, their home field, on Sunday.

Tornado watch issued for Palm Beach County, South Florida

The National Weather Service in Miami has issued a tornado watch for South Florida, including Palm Beach Count,y through 5 p.m. today. 

Rain squalls that may have embedded hurricanes is moving up the coast from the Florida Keys with rain expected to intensify throughout the day. 

More Hurricane Ian updates:Palm Beach County schools open, but extracurricular activities canceled

8 a.m. update on Hurricane Ian, storm expected to be major hurricane at landfall on west coast

8 a.m. track map for Hurricane Ian.

Palm Beach County is at an increased risk of tropical storm-force winds with the eastern shift in Hurricane Ian's path early this morning. While National Weather Service meteorologist said the winds would mainly come in in gusts, there is a possibility for sustained winds of 39 mph-plus beginning Wednesday. 

Palm Beach County was put under a tropical storm watch at the 5 a.m. advisory.

As of 8 a.m., Ian was a 125-mph Category 3 hurricane about 130 miles south-southwest of the Dry Tortugas. It is heading north at 12 mph, and has a minimum central pressure of 950 mb. 

Tropical storm threats for South Florida

A tropical storm watch was updated to a warning for areas from the Jupiter Inlet to the Volusia/Brevard County line, including Lake Okeechobee. 

A flood watch is also in effect for all of South Florida with as much as 7-8 inches of rain possible in Palm Beach County.

More:Hurricane Ian live updates: Tropical storm watch issued for Palm Beach County

More:Hurricane tracker: Where is Ian headed?

More:Did you know? What is a hurricane watch and when to put up shutters

Palm Beach County schools remain open today, including aftercare programs, but extracurricular activities, including athletic events, practices and adiult education programs have been canceled. 

Meteorologists warned not to compare Ian with 2004's quick-moving Hurricane Charley. 

"This is a completely different storm than Charley," said Miami-based meteorologist Larry Kelly. "Ian is a much larger and slower moving system."

That means more storm surge and more time under damaging hurricane-force winds. 

University of Florida cancels classes Wednesday through Friday 

The University of Florida will cancel classes and all academic and student-related activities, including online classes, Wednesday, Sept. 28 through Friday, Sept. 30. UF will make announcements regarding other university operations and closures, as well as Family Weekend activities, by Tuesday evening.

UF’s Department of Emergency Management continues to monitor Hurricane Ian.  For the latest on the status of operations, students, faculty and staff are urged to check UF’s homepage at www.ufl.edu,  UF Alerts, the news media and the university social media pages. 

Broward County courts closing, shutting down Nikolas Cruz trial

Courts in Broward County will close Wednesday and Thursday, ending testimony for the week in the Nikolas Cruz school shooting trial.

Cruz pleaded guilty last year to murdering 17 people and trying to kill 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018. A jury will decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison.

Prosecutors began presenting rebuttal arguments Tuesday after the defense had rested its case Sept. 14. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer adjourned court until Monday after three witnesses because of the storm.

Closing statements in the sentencing trial are scheduled to begin Oct. 10.

5 a.m. update on Hurricane Ian, tropical storm watch issued for Palm Beach County 

At 5 a.m. Hurricane Ian was a Category 3 storm with sustained 125 mph winds moving north at 12 mph. 

The track of the storm shifted again slightly eastward and a tropical storm watch was issued for the southeast coast of Florida from Deerfield beach northward to the Jupiter Inlet. 

A tropical storm watch was updated to a warning for areas from the Jupiter Inlet to the Volusia/Brevard County line, including Lake Okeechobee. 

A flood watch is also in effect for all of South Florida with as much as 7-8 inches of rain possible in Palm Beach County.

The center of the track is forecast to make landfall in Tampa as a Category 3 cyclone with 120-mph winds, but the spread in the cone remained from the Big Bend area through Cape Coral. 

Tropical storm-force winds extend out from Ian's center 115 miles. Hurricane force-winds extend 35 miles from the center. 

'Make preparations now':DeSantis urges vigilance as Ian poised to strike as major hurricane

More: Find out if you live in an evacuation zone 

>> 2022 Hurricane Guide: Everything you need to know for storm preparation

5 a.m. forecast map for Hurricane Ian

The center of Ian is forecast to reach the southeastern Gulf of Mexico later this morning where deeply warm water and low wind shear are forecast to enhance intensification.

Palm Beach County remains outside the forecast track cone, but has a 50 to 60% chance of feeling sustained tropical storm force winds beginning Wednesday. 

The center of the track is forecast to make landfall in Tampa as a Category 3 cyclone with 120 mph winds, but the spread in the cone remained from the Big Bend area through Cape Coral. 

Tropical storm-force winds extend out from Ian's center 115 miles. Hurricane force-winds extend 35 miles from the center. 

Concerns early Tuesday are that Ian could slow its forward speed considerably as it makes its way through the Gulf of Mexico. 

Palm Beach County signs a local state of emergency

Palm Beach County remains outside of Hurricane Ian's forecast cone but out of an abundance of caution county officials signed a Declaration of Local State of Emergency. The declaration allows public expenditures related to preparation for the storm to be an eligible expense if the threshold for certain damages are met.

The emergency management operations center is activated to an enhanced Level 3 with staff in regular contact with the National Weather Service and Florida Division of Emergency Management. 

Tropical Storm Watch for Treasure Coast

The National Hurricane Center has placed areas from the Jupiter Inlet north under a tropical storm watch. Lake Okeechobee is also under a tropical storm watch. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm winds are expected in the area within 48 hours. Lake Okeechobee stood at just over 13 feet above sea level Monday and was not a concern to water management district officials. 

Potential for major flooding in Palm Beach County during high tides

Rainfall rates through Sunday.

The National Weather Service in Miami is warning about a potential for "life and property-threatening" flooding, especially during the swollen autumn high tides following Sunday's new moon. High tide times at the Lake Worth Pier are 9:38 a.m. and 9:49 p.m. today, and 10:22 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Luke Bryan reschedules West Palm Beach concert 

Country superstar Luke Bryan was scheduled to perform in West Pam Beach on Friday. He has rescheduled because of Hurricane Ian. 

His new shows are now set for Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Hertz Arena in Estero; Friday, Nov. 4, at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach; and Saturday, Nov. 5, at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa. 

Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com

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