London, Ont. snowbird tracking Hurricane Ian
While Floridians run for cover from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Ian, here in London, Ont. the Category 4 storm is being closely watched by those who have property in the Sunshine State.
Former London councillor and author Gord Hume, who has written books about the Gulf Coast, is concerned.
He has owned a condominium in St. Pete Beach for five years.
“Initially the eye of the storm was going to be landing in that area, so we were very concerned,” says Hume. “But now it’s headed just south of us, however we are still going to be impacted.”
Hume says they have already taken measures to secure his property.
”We have moved our car from the garage and we have hurricane shutters surrounding our condo,” he says.
Hume is planning on going down south next month and he’s hoping the damage is minimal.
“I hope there’s no loss of life,” says Hume. “And we want to hope that electricity is restored because this is terribly dangerous, so how people will respond and what do is yet to be seen.”
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 storm packing winds of 241 km/h, just on the tip of Category 5 status.
Ahead of Ian’s ferocious arrival, 2.5 million people were ordered to evacuate in southwest Florida ahead of the hurricane.
— With files from CTV News and The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.