Marion remains under tropical storm warning and flood watch

National Weather Service’s 5 a.m. Ian update for Marion County

Major Hurricane Ian, located near 25.6 north, 82.9 west at 5 AM EDT Wednesday morning, 
is expected to move north northeast today while 
decreasing in forward speed. A turn to the north is expected Thursday. 
On this track, Ian is forecast to move toward southwest Florida and make landfall 
on the southwest Florida coast this afternoon. Ian has 
strengthened to a category 4 hurricane with maximum winds currently near 140 mph with 
higher gusts. 
A tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning remain in effect for the entire 
northeast Florida coast and the entire St. Johns River 
basin. 
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Marion County.  
The start of tropical storm winds likely are to begin tonight and early Thursday 
morning across north central and northeast Florida, and 
midday Thursday over parts of southeast Georgia. 
Increasing rain chances are expected through the day from south to north, with 
more rain and rain squalls and possibly embedded thunderstorms occurring tonight through Friday. 
Heavy rainfall with significant to extensive flash flooding is expected across parts of 
northeast FL. A Flood Watch is in effect for for much of northeast Florida and portions 
of southeast Georgia. 
There is a concern for isolated tornadoes across parts of northeast and north 
central Florida from this evening through at least Thursday evening.