Hurricane Ian has quickly strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane, and various areas of Florida are expected to be impacted.

Photo by Andrew Klatt | Obtained via News 6 Orlando

A state of emergency has already been declared for the state, and we previously saw hurricane warnings and flood advisories issued. Now, there’s another update as to the warnings in place for counties in central Florida.

According to WESH 2 News, a Tornado Watch has been issued for 4 counties in Central Florida, including Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole. Orange County and Osceola County are the 2 counties within which Disney World is located.

The watch is in place until 5PM ET on September 28th (Wednesday).

©WESH 2 News

The National Weather Service points out that a Tornado Watch indicates that individuals should “be prepared.” Tornados are possible in and near the watch area, so people within that space should review emergency plans, check their supplies, and be ready to act quickly if a Tornado Warning is issued.

Here’s a full look at the warnings and watches currently in place for Orange County, Florida:

1. Tornado Watch — Until 5PM ET on September 28th (applies to Osceola County too)
2. Flood Watch — Until 5PM ET on September 30th (applies to Osceola County too)
3. Hurricane Warning — Until 12PM on September 28th (applies to Osceola County too)

©WESH 2 News

Additionally, an Airport Weather Warning is in place for Orlando International Airport until 5:30AM ET on September 29th. The Airport is set to close starting at 10:30AM on September 28th. It is expected that operations will resume at some point on Friday.

©Orlando International Airport

As of the morning of September 28th, 2022, Hurricane Ian was a Category 4 storm with winds just 2 miles per hour short of being a Category 5 storm. It is forecast to make landfall along southwest Florida late this afternoon as a “powerful major hurricane.” Its track will then take it through interior counties of east central Florida (according to current forecasts).

Significant to extensive wind impacts are expected, and about 8 to 15 inches of rain are expected which could cause major flooding. There is also an “increasingly favorable environment” for tornado development that will spread “northward from Lake Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast across the remainder of east central Florida today.”

©WESH 2 News

Disney World’s theme parks, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld have all announced closures. Disney World’s theme parks and water parks will be closed Tuesday, September 28th, and Wednesday, September 29th. Disney Springs will be closed on September 28th, and it is expected that it would be closed on the 29th as well.

If you are in Orlando or the surrounding areas at this time, please stay alert and stay safe. We will work to provide you with more updates.

©NOAA

For more information, check out the links below:

• The latest updates on Hurricane Ian ⬅️ We are continually updating this post with more hurricane updates
• What you need to know about cruising during hurricane season
• Disney Wish sailing CANCELED due to Hurricane Ian
• 6 items you need for a hurricane in Disney World
• Florida hotels offering discounted rates for hurricane evacuees
• Disney World crowd levels ahead of Hurricane Ian
• With Hurricane Ian approaching, Disney World hotels are showing no available rooms
• State of Emergency declared in Florida ahead of Hurricane Ian

What To Do If You’re in Disney World During Hurricane Ian

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