At 5 am Thursday morning, Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm as an incredible amount of rain falls over Central Florida that is expected to cause widespread flash flooding.
As much of Central Florida remains under flash flood warnings, residents in some counties are advised to shelter in place.
Chief Lauraleigh Avery, emergency manager for the Orange County Government’s Office of Emergency Management, reported that they are expecting 12 to 30 inches of rain.
Blinding rain is pouring over parts of central Florida this morning and causing widespread flooding. #flood #Ian #FLwx pic.twitter.com/WEV3zv83ER
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 29, 2022
In Kissimmee, Florida, torrential downpours caused the roadways to flood, and airboats were used to help rescue those stuck in stranded vehicles along the flooded streets because emergency vehicles could not make it through the deep water.
Military vehicles were also seen driving through the flooded roads, bringing stranded civilians to safe, dry land.
Orlando experienced major flooding as well, causing roads to become rivers. One video shows a Universal Studios hotel completely surrounded by deep water, while another shows that downtown Orlando is underwater after Lake Eola flooded into the streets.
⚠️Lake Eola in downtown #Orlando completely flooded over onto the streets.
Epic, historic flooding…and it’s STILL raining here.
— Dena Grayson, MD, PhD (@DrDenaGrayson) September 29, 2022
WHOA: #IAN: I-4 Express westbound lanes flooded at Kirkman Rd near Universal. #News13Orange pic.twitter.com/o7NkbaP23a
— Jerry Hume (@JerryHume) September 29, 2022
Wow. Everyone be safe out there. So many parts of Central Florida are experiencing flooding because of Hurricane Ian. https://t.co/N0ngXWUJM1
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) September 29, 2022