The Latest Breaking News from Hurricane Ian

One of the most powerful storms to hit the US in years makes landfall in heavily-populated Gulf Coast region.

The Met Office warned of flooding in some areas

Pleas for rescue emerge online as storm surge hits coast and millions lose power

MIAMI — Ian strengthened early Wednesday into an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane that is close to Cat 5 strength. The hurricane is forecast to whip Florida with catastrophic winds, flooding rain and life-threatening storm surge as it gets closer to a west coast landfall Wednesday afternoon.

Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin, from Netflix’s hit series Tiger King, says staff have been preparing the facility for Hurricane Ian which is set to hit Florida's Gulf Coast

Havana (AFP) - Havana resident Maykel was helping his friend fix an "almendron" -- as the decades-old American cars that ply Cuba's streets are known -- when the lights suddenly cut out late Tuesday.

Port Charlotte (United States) (AFP) - Hurricane Ian intensified to just shy of catastrophic Category 5 strength Wednesday as its heavy winds began pummelling the US state of Florida, with forecasters warning of life-threatening storm surges after leaving millions without power in Cuba.

Flooding and wind damage could affect areas across the country.

Tom Brady and his wife Gisele have been forced to take drastic action with category 4 Hurricane Ian expected to hit the coast of Florida, while NFL games are in doubt

US hub will ‘cease operations’ from 10.30am on Wednesday, potentially lasting for two days

Hurricane Ian plowed into Florida's Gulf Coast with catastrophic force on Wednesday, unleashing howling winds, torrential rains and a treacherous surge of ocean surf that made it one of the most powerful U.S. storms in recent years.