Ian-coming!

Girding for what Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a “major” hurricane, Florida officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for various counties on Monday.

“Mother nature always wins. And this storm is going to be a very impactful storm … If you can leave, just leave now. And we will take care of your personal property,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told CNN.

“You certainly could replace personal possessions. You can’t bring anyone back to life.”

Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, is projected to be one of the areas worst hit by Hurricane Ian, expecting flash floods and heavy rainfall.

The hurricane had reached 100-mph winds by 5pm Monday afternoon as Cuba braced for landfall and the Florida Keys started to experience rainfall and storms from Ian’s most outer bands, according to the National Weather Service.

Winds are expected to reach 120 mph, taking it from a category two to four major hurricane as it heads north across western Florida. Over 300,000 people have been affected by evacuation orders announced for Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Hillsborough and Hernando counties.

Cities including Orlando, Tallahassee and Jacksonville are also said to be making preparations for the hurricane – with up to 15m residents in Florida alone within its projected pathway.

Locals had already begun hoarding water and other supplies over the weekend, and reports circulated Monday morning that gas stations were seeing long lines and limited supplies.

Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise recommended evacuees seek shelter at least 20 miles inland rather than rely on limited and often crowded shelter space.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said his department would be increasing patrols in evacuated areas to protect against property crimes and other disruptions.

The Hillsborough County School District was one of 10 Florida districts to shutter their buildings this week with Ian’s approach.

“This is a really, really big hurricane,” DeSantis said at a Monday morning briefing, noting that Ian currently stretched 500 miles wide and is currently expansive enough to impact the entire state.

He predicted heavy flooding and said additional medical personnel, ambulances, generators and water pumps have been deployed to Tampa, which was bracing for a surge of up to eight feet in ocean water and between 10 and 15 inches of rain, which could be disastrous for coastal communities.

Statewide, DeSantis said 5,000 Florida National Guard members have been activated, along with 2,000 additional troops from nearby states including Georgia and Tennessee.

Search and rescue teams are also being marshaled across the state.

Officials urged residents to prepare appropriately without clearing out shelves.

“There’s no need to panic buy,” DeSantis said, noting that state officials are coordinating with major retailers to ensure that stock remains plentiful should Ian restrict supplies.

He also counseled Sunshine Staters to assemble whatever medicines and prescriptions they might require for the next 30 days.

All major airlines were preparing for flight cancellations to the region and both Orlando and Tampa International Airports were making preparations ahead of the hurricane hitting the state.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport has already announced it will close its operations from 1pm local time on Tuesday, while Tampa airport noted if there are 50 mph sustained winds it would also cease all airport operations.

Here’s everything to know about Hurricane Ian:

Airlines also began to issue notices urging travellers to frequently check their flight status to ensure they were still scheduled.

DeSantis also warned of heavy road traffic which could lead to gridlock in some areas, especially if more evacuation orders are issued as Ian bears down.

“When you have millions of people in a metro area, no matter how it’s done, you’re going to have traffic,” he said. “That’s just the reality.”