i've got this. ♪♪ ♪ ♪ away suitcases are designed with 360-degree spinner wheels. ♪ ♪ so you can go with the flow. ♪ ♪ this is storm surge. this is the ocean coming into. naples there is no delineation anymore between the gulf of mexico and naples. >> there is the wind speed, as i'm standing next to a building. somewhat protectively. so, i will take a knee. if i can take a knee here. >> we both have to take a neo-. there you know, sides blowing over, debris flying around. >> about 90% of our city is

without power now. the winds are extremely high. and the water is rising. >> you can see forces of trees just clinging to -- i just don't know what they are -- they been flying through the streets. >> it's a center block wall that was the entire width of this area came down. >> no word on the back and now, and the great eye wall is coming through. we've had some of the strongest winds here so far. >> good morning, i'm philip mena. >> good to be with you at this hour, i'm frances rivera. it's 3 am in the east, midnight out west. thank you for joining us for a special edition of early today as we track the devastating path of hurricane ian. here's what we know at this hour. the strong wind of even already impacting daytona beach along the western coach, as it slowly moves towards orlando. the storm has been downgraded to a category 1, but it still packing a powerful punch. >> ian made landfall in south must florida, in the fort myers

area, where the storm surge submerged buildings. it could take days, even weeks, to know the full impact. for the county manager tells nbc news overnight they are getting a sense the community has been decimated. >> and in port charlotte, which is north of fort myers, this hospital says they were hit from above and below. the storm surge flooded the lower level emergency room. and winds tore apart the fourth floor roof, which is where the icu is. doctors were a forced to evacuate the hospital sickest patients, some of them on ventilators. we have reporters fanned out across florida this morning, ready to give us live updates about what is happening along the storm's path. >> let's start with tampa. residents there originally expecting a direct hit from hurricane ian. the storms powerful winds drained massive amounts of water from tampa bay. it caused a reverse storm surge. for more on this, let's bring in alison barber, who is on the ground there. alison, good morning. do people there feel like they've got the worst of the storm? >> yeah, they really do.

look, there were some scary moments in and around tampa from street lights falling, collapsing, live wires, electrical power lines down, also trees and other debris falling on some people's homes. but ultimately, the sense here in tampa, and the mayor said it in an interview last night is that they feel like they dodged a bullet here. that certainly cannot be said for other parts of florida. their neighbors further south. but here in this area, what started a few days ago as an incredibly ominous very risky situation for this area changed once the storm started to move. and even the outer bands, so, far it seems like this area has really avoided any significant damage. everyone will get a better sense of it once the sun comes up. we'll be able to see more. but from what we have seen tonight, apart from earlier last night, around 5:00 where there were some heavy winds and

a lot of rain, things have really calm down. and ultimately, it seems like the city, the people here, the communities around the city of tampa, they might have gotten very, very lucky. francis, philip? >> breathing a sigh of relief, at least in the tampa. area ellison barber for us, thank you. >> starting to see those photos. reverse surges, other cases, way too much water, way too much flooding. which is the concern out some of the flooding. let's go to nbc peter alice michele -- , we're tracking the latest on in, and the less threat. good morning, michelle. >> good morning to you both. it's gonna be a tough day, and tough weeks to come and even months to come as they recover from this catastrophic damage yesterday. with storm surge, heavy rainfall, really gusty winds, keeping on shore with 155 mile per hour winds. nearly a category 5 storm. it is very large in size, and also moving very slow. so those three companies making a very dangerous situation. look at some these wind gusts. winds gusting up to the 135

mile per hour zone cape coral, punta_gorda, up to 1:24, that was at the airport. and we saw a ton of rain too. we're going to continue see lots and lots of rain today, up to 30 inches in some spots. so, far punta_gorda already over 17 inches of rain have fallen. as you look at north port, over 13 inches. so, over a foot of rain has fallen. and that will be the story as we go throughout this thursday. a category one storm, barely a hurricane at this point. it was weekend as we saw that 2:00 advisory. 75 mile per hour winds, a category 1 has 74 and greater. so, it is barely a hurricane. but still packing a punch. and will be very dangerous as we go throughout today. location, 55 miles south, southeast of orlando florida. moving slowly at nine miles per hour, and that's why we're allowing all this rain to fall, because it is just crawling across the peninsula. what the trump colored still remain. i want you to know is this, a hurricane warning all the way across the peninsula of florida from coast to coast. that is very rare. i do not even know if it has

happened before. i'll have to look at. up i will get back to you. but we're looking at tropical -- central florida, into georgia, the carolinas, and now into north carolina as well. flash flooding risks, that's gonna be the biggest threat. today we're looking at the threat for some very heavy rainfall leading to the risk for flash flooding. that before daytona beach and melbourne. that will be the highest risk. and also look at the chance of severe weather threat today and also tomorrow. back to you guys. >> certainly a whole lot to watch. okay, michelle, thank you. as ian moves across florida, the states east coast is beginning to be bombarded by torrential rain. the national weather service issued a flash flood warning from daytona beach to cape canaveral overnight. joining us now is the mayor of cape canaveral, wes morrison. west, we appreciate you being with us with so much on your plate right now. let's talk about, this considering you're getting battered in the thick of it. what are you seeing outside your window now? >> thank you, francis and philip. right now, it is very loud outside. we have some weather stations

you saw in the city. the last readings we received were around 11:00 pm. and we are seeing gusts pushing 50 miles per hour. now, a couple of hours later, and we have seen tremendous uptick in wind speeds and rain. and we really do not know the damage, because until it passes, we're staying inside and staying safe. >> how well, mayor, do you feel like your city was prepared for what was to come? >> every coastal city, cape canaveral is a two's square mile small city, it was a couple days ago we were trying to be putting a man on the moon with artemis, and now we are fighting hurricanes. so, flooding is a difficult challenge for all the communities. we've really made some strong investments in that area. we put up a resiliency plan with 57 targets that were going after to address the flooding issues within the city.

we have put in a few thousand sandbags, pushing close to, that we put out. 10,000 people, were a small city, but through partnership with our neighbors, our broward county sheriff's office, our fantastic city manager and administration, we feel very prepared. our crews were owed cleaning drains and monitoring the effort all day. what we don't know is what's happening over the past couple hours, what looks and sounds like some damage is happening. >> yeah, mister, mayor you say or a small city. but you definitely all eyes on the world on you, watching you. it is astounding though that you can do everything you can when it comes to space. but when it comes to mother nature on our own planet, no control over that. all right, wes morrison, the mayor of cape canaveral, thank you so much for your time. be safe to you. all >> early today, we are back in one minute. more on this testing. storm >> we're live in orlando, which is taking a direct hit

from the hurricane after ripped across the southwest coast of the state. the state. the entire area, everything, it's underwater right now. and it's just -- this is one of the worst hurricanes i've ever been in. and it may be the worst as far as covering. over 25 years and 90 storms, to be right in the eyewall of a high-end cat four. and the wind, just listen to it, let's just listen to the wind. [noise]

the worst of hurricane ian is reaching orlando now. but still, it was slamming that area with heavy wind and rain for hours before. let's get right to nbc's jesse. kershaw, see good, morning the flash flooding risk all too real, all too real for your team. i know you had to relocate somewhere safer. tell us what's been happening

there. >> yeah, well, you see this consistent delusion of rain. this is some of the thickest downpour that we've seen throughout the last 12 hours or so we've been on the ground. in orlando. i had one of the things that has been a top concern in this part of the state is the flooding threat. and we are seeing it firsthand. for context for people who are just joining us, we have been monitoring this over the last few hours. and this is three steps down to a pool deck. and we are now at the top level. and just feet from where am i standing is where my crew is. and you can see the water, based on where you're seeing the ripple on the ground there, is on this top level. and so, it's really just a matter of time now before this water makes its way inside. it's coming from both sides. and in the front of this property where we are bunkering down, there is already water

well within the lobby. so, the water has breached this property. and i would imagine that there are other properties in the area that are facing a similar situation. and again, what you are seeing right now, is probably the heaviest rain, if not the heaviest, close to it, that i have seen throughout the day in orlando. and what we are looking at is still the front end of what we expect to be the worst impact for me in, which is still at last check, a few hours away from us. the last word i had was nine or 10 am. and that track obviously may have changed by now. and it had trended earlier at one point. so, it's a skewing scale. but best i can tell, we are still not there yet. and it's not so much of the wind gusts here. and that was never expected to be the biggest concern. it was all about the rainfall. and we could be seeing as much as 30 inches of rain in some localized areas, which is going to contribute to that flash flooding threat here, guys.

>> yeah, waiting for hours and what seems like days when you're in conditions like that. jesse kirsch for us in orlando, stay safe, jessie. >> the eye the storm is passing just south of orlando, coming through osceola county. we're joined now by brandon arrington, the chairman of the board of commissions there. granted, good morning, goodnight whatever it is for you, i'm sure you've been up all night. i hope you're safe. it looks like it, right now. first of all, tell us the conditions there at this hour. >> sure, obviously we are worried about localized flooding here in osceola county, because it has been raining nonstop for about the 12 hours. i can specifically tell you that the pond behind my house is probably elevated the water level by four or five feet from where it was yesterday at about 2 pm. >> wow. >> and the spawn also connects to shingle creeks, we know there's going to be some flooding long shingle creek and similar other low lying areas, which is a concern for our community. >> seems like you are expecting it. does your county have the resources you need, that you're

going to need, in the hours and days ahead? >> we believe. so we will continue to work with the state and federal government, obviously, to move forward. and we understand, as my county manager don fisher said the other day, that there are three steps in every storm. there's the preparation, the storm itself, and in the cleanup and aftermath. and that's really where our citizens are most concerned, is trying to get back to normal and get back to their everyday life once the storm is passed. so, we believe we are ready. but the biggest thing we want to stress is for people to stay off the roadways and allow first responders to do the job until the storm is completely moved out of our area. it's always exciting to try and go out and see what damage may happen. but please, stay inside so our first responders can do our job of clearing our roadways and making sure it's safe for getting back into your community. >> what are you heard from your constituents and residents there about needing calls for help? i know there were warnings leading up to this saying there is going to become a point where people are gonna be calling 9-1-1, and wanting help,

but we are not going to be able to get you. what have you been hearing? >> you know, we have been very fortunate. we've had about 660 people in our six different shelters throughout the state of florida. and we have been really lucky here in osceola county. obviously, the storm is in the southern part, which is not very populated. so, it's put us on a left hand side. it's lowered our chances for some of those higher winds. but it's really giving us that. rain we have not have any major incident reports as of 2:00 this morning. obviously, once the sun comes up, we really are going to get to see some of the impacts that are happening around osceola county. >> all right, brandon arrington, we thank you so much for the perspective, they're in osceola county, thank you. >> sunrise is about four hours away from. now we have continuing coverage of hurricane throughout the morning. and >> when we come, back another look at the other major headlines this morning, including the historic night for yankee slugger aaron judge. >> [noise] and a 32.

jokey to left field -- this could be -- could be --

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hurricane eta continues in just a moment. but first, here's some other headlines making news this morning. vice president kamala harris is right now visiting the demilitarize own between north and south korea. the vp will tour the area after receiving a briefing from commanders and meeting with u.s. soldiers. >> the hip-hop world is remembering a icon following the death of cooley. oh his manager confirmed the artist passed yesterday at a friends loss angela. home a sock courting to the associated press, no cause of death has immediately been announced. -- ice cube remembering coolers rise to the top of the industry. flavor flav tweeting quote, resting gangsters paradise my. french artist -- julio rose to fame in the 90s with his grammy winning gangsters. paradise he also --

coolio was 59 years. old >> new york yankees slugger aaron judge swung his way into the record books last night. [noise] >> and a three to. choking to left field. this could be at. see you. he's done it. number 61. he's been chasing history. >> after seven straight games without a home run, judge blasted that one, is 61st of the season. ties roger maris 61-year american league record. that home run also lifted europe over the blue jays 6 to 3. judge now has seven more games to break the record, as the yankees return home tomorrow from a three game set against the orioles. >> right, our special edition of -- continues. up next, michelle will track the path of a. unofficially when the strongest hurricanes to ever hit florida. florida

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hurricane hits, there's always a comparison. for some perspective, hurricane ian is now the fourth strongest storm to ever make landfall in florida. let's turn to nbc meteorologist michelle gorge men with more on that. >> yet, strength and at the worst time. 155 mile per hour winds as it made its way on shore. it's a huge storm, and slow mover. so all these combined made for a catastrophic situation yesterday. we're going to see some -- once that sun rises, we want to see what happened with houses and homes and things are not going to look the same that they did yesterday. let's track it, though, as we go forward. we're looking at the storm, still a category 1 storm. it's barely hurricane at this point. but still really strong. it's going to emerge into the atlantic. and then it's going to make a turn towards georgia, also the carolinas. so, we have a few days more of talking about in. lots of heavy rain, could see some flash flooding as well. and then by saturday and sunday, making its way into the mid-atlantic. all your plans this weekend, we're looking at some --

chance for some tropical rains. >> michelle, thank you. next on early today, before torpedoes option across florida, this hurricane wreaked havoc on cuba. we'll have the latest after it knocked out power there. out power there.

[speaking spanish] >> the situation growing dire there in cuba, as power is slowly returning to the island. and we just heard from that cuban woman, who said they not only have to worry about feeding the small children, but they're also having to deal with the unstoppable heat as well. so far, two people have died. in the florida keys, 20 cuban migrants are missing after

their boat sank as they try to escape the island. four were able to swim to shore. our guava nuggets is on the shore following the latest. >> cuba, the scope of hurricane and spread is now visible. talents are unrecognizable. buildings and homes completely flattened. at least two people died, and thousands are homeless, like this family now traveling on foot looking for somewhere to stay. >> as people try to find shelter, crews are trying to restore electricity after a national blackout of the electrical grid, overwhelmed by damage from the storm, left the entire country in the dark. >> the electric county says they're making repairs as fast they can, but just look at the devastation. multiple polls torn down, one after another, as far as the eye can see. >> we travel to one of the hardest hit areas, where tonight -- and her family lived for

children and a newborn. now, they have no water, no electricity, and no home. their house is buried under this wreckage. for now, their neighbors are taking them in. maximum not lives here. she says the little she had was destroyed, and she's worried it could get even worse. >> her biggest fear is that the structure falls apart now. >> [speaking spanish] >> she says this is about to fall. >> and with this type of devastation all across the most effective province, the knelt overall, the effects of being here are gonna be felt for a long time. >> thanks to god for that. excellent reporting in cuba. fending for themselves, like they talked, about with no power, no ac. >> and we see all the residents there now, dealing with the past tense of dealing with heat, and when we talk about the residence in florida now dealing with the dred, the anxiety, the anticipation of what's to come. those going through it right now in central and eastern

florida. but those on the southwestern part, knowing that when the sun comes up, and they will see the damage, they will see what's left their homes, if they even have a home. but i can just imagine how tough that's going to be in the next few hours to come. >> yeah, you first wave of the safety of you and your family. and then all of your worldly possessions. and just hope for the best. our special addition of early today concludes. stay with us. s. stay with us choices. happiness. away. ♪ ♪

and it's easier than ever to get your projects done right. with angi, you can connect with and see ratings and reviews. and when you book and pay throug you're covered by our happiness check out angi.com today. angi... and done. good morning, i'm philamena, -- we thank you for joining us for the special edition of early today, as we continue to track hurricane ian. the storm has been downgraded to a category one as it moves through central florida, but it made landfall as the fifth strongest storm to ever hit the u.s., and a plane through the eye together information on the storm, and an engineer said it was the roughest flight of his career. take a look.