[imagesource: Twitter / The Weather Channel]

Hurricane Ian, while not sounding all that intimidating, has slammed into Florida with enough force to make it one of the most powerful storms in US history.

Sustained winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour and torrential rain have battered the state’s southwest coast, with more than two million people placed under evacuation orders.

Others have chosen to shelter in place, battening down the hatches as they ride out what is going to be very uncomfortable and dangerous few days.

Then you have the weather reporters, for whom these events are a time to shine. They revel in broadcasting live from the scene, despite the imminent danger, and viewers lap it up.

Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore was the star of the show yesterday. Below from HuffPost:

Cantore was struggling to deliver an on-the-street report in sustained winds from Punta Gorda, Florida, near where the Category 4 beast made landfall. He was struck in the leg by a tree branch, which pulled him to the ground.

As he was trying to retreat to safety, he held on to a street sign, telling his cameraman: “I’m fine. I just can’t stand up.”

Perhaps that’s a sign that you and your cameraman should head inside and take a breather, Jim:

Jim Cantore literally hit by a flying tree branch during a live report. Please get this man off the street. pic.twitter.com/D6UOizGArc

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 28, 2022

Gusts at the time were estimated to top 175 kilometres per hour.

Cantore is known as “the original Weather Channel StormTracker” and it’s never a good sign when he turns up in your area.

The same is true for AccuWeather reporter Reed Timmer, who also thrives on being in the thick of the action:

PEAK STORM SURGE #hurricaneian pic.twitter.com/FNkJdIu52y

— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) September 28, 2022

He calls himself an “extreme meteorologist, inventor and stormchaser intercepting the most powerful storms on the planet”.

Over the past 24 hours, the situation in Florida has become almost apocalyptic:

Here is what this view typically looks like pic.twitter.com/HZjzPBr8h2

— Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 28, 2022

Mashable has compiled a number of videos showing scenes of destruction and devastation:

In the eye wall of #Hurricane #Ian in Fort Myers. We’re live on @weatherchannel along with @StephanieAbrams and @JimCantore #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/gSBdmAUjWX

— Mike Seidel (@mikeseidel) September 28, 2022

Cape Coral facing storm surge. #Ian pic.twitter.com/ucNiJg8Acq

— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) September 28, 2022

Here is a time-lapse of the #StormSurge coming in on Sanibel Island, #Florida caught on a live traffic cam. This was only 30mins condensed down, it deteriorated quickly. 😬 #HurricaneIan #Hurricane #Ian pic.twitter.com/JKuNROvMm4

— BirdingPeepWx (@BirdingPeepWx) September 28, 2022

Hurricane Ian has already knocked out power to all of Cuba (we can somewhat relate) and the damage continues.

We’ll finish with this video report:

[sources:huffpost&mashable]