Ian weakens to tropical storm as Central Florida slammed with flooding rains - WESH 2 Orlando

WATCH live WESH 2 coverage aboveHurricane Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm as of the 5 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory as Central Florida experienced massive amounts of rain.Ian came ashore Wednesday afternoon near Cayo Costa, Florida, with winds of 150 mph and began a punishing march northeastward across the state.As of the 8 a.m. advisory, Ian was moving northeast at 8 mph and winds had slowed to 65 mph. It was located 40 miles southeast of Orlando and 10 miles west of Cape Canaveral."A turn toward the north-northeast is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north and north-northwest with an increase in forward speed Friday and Friday night. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move off the east-central coast of Florida later today and then approach the coast of South Carolina on Friday. The center will move farther inland across the Carolinas Friday night and Saturday," the National Hurricane Center said. Active watches and warnings: A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Orange, Volusia & Seminole Counties until 11:15 AM. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Lake County until 12:15 PM.The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Brevard until 9:30 a.m. Flood Warning Continued for Seminole County until 3:00 AMIan is forecast to produce the following rainfall through Thursday:Central and Northeast Florida: 12 to 20 inches, with isolated totals up to 30 inches.Coastal Georgia and Low Country of South Carolina: 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up to 12 inches.Upstate and central South Carolina, North Carolina, and southern Virginia: 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals of 8 inches across western North Carolina.During a press conference Thursday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis noted that Central Florida is experiencing "a 500-year flood event." As for reports of hundreds of deaths in Lee County, DeSantis said "none of that is confirmed" and is only an estimate. He said it was based on emergency calls from people saying that the water is rising in their homes.One fatality has been confirmed in Central Florida.WATCH: Stunning videos shows Central Florida hit with punishing winds, flooding rainsWESH 2's Tony Atkins rescues woman who attempted to drive through floodwatersFlooding at Disney resort during Hurricane IanFamily grateful to be alive after tree falls on house during IanWild video shows rough hurricane hunter flight into IanRelated: Video shows men wading through Hurricane Ian floodwaters in Key West

WATCH live WESH 2 coverage above

Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm as of the 5 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory as Central Florida experienced massive amounts of rain.

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Ian came ashore Wednesday afternoon near Cayo Costa, Florida, with winds of 150 mph and began a punishing march northeastward across the state.

As of the 8 a.m. advisory, Ian was moving northeast at 8 mph and winds had slowed to 65 mph. It was located 40 miles southeast of Orlando and 10 miles west of Cape Canaveral.

"A turn toward the north-northeast is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north and north-northwest with an increase in forward speed Friday and Friday night. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move off the east-central coast of Florida later today and then approach the coast of South Carolina on Friday. The center will move farther inland across the Carolinas Friday night and Saturday," the National Hurricane Center said.

Active watches and warnings:

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Orange, Volusia & Seminole Counties until 11:15 AM.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Lake County until 12:15 PM.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Brevard until 9:30 a.m.

Flood Warning Continued for Seminole County until 3:00 AM

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This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Ian is forecast to produce the following rainfall through Thursday:

  • Central and Northeast Florida: 12 to 20 inches, with isolated totals up to 30 inches.
  • Coastal Georgia and Low Country of South Carolina: 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up to 12 inches.
  • Upstate and central South Carolina, North Carolina, and southern Virginia: 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals of 8 inches across western North Carolina.

During a press conference Thursday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis noted that Central Florida is experiencing "a 500-year flood event."

As for reports of hundreds of deaths in Lee County, DeSantis said "none of that is confirmed" and is only an estimate. He said it was based on emergency calls from people saying that the water is rising in their homes.

One fatality has been confirmed in Central Florida.

WATCH: Stunning videos shows Central Florida hit with punishing winds, flooding rains

WESH 2's Tony Atkins rescues woman who attempted to drive through floodwaters

Flooding at Disney resort during Hurricane Ian

Family grateful to be alive after tree falls on house during Ian


Wild video shows rough hurricane hunter flight into Ian

Related: Video shows men wading through Hurricane Ian floodwaters in Key West

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