LA National Guard headed to Florida to aid hurricane response

According to Gov. John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana National Guard is on its way to Florida to help with Hurricane Ian storm response.

Edwards announced on Twitter Wednesday morning that the national guard was on its way. He added that Louisiana is prepared to send more help after the hurricane damage is assessed.

According to the National Weather Service, Florida coast residents should brace for “catastrophic” storm surge and wind damage.

As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, I have spoken with @GovRonDeSantis and offered Louisiana's resources, personnel and expertise. Significant @LANationalGuard resources are already on the way. We are also prepared to send additional help once damage assessment begins. #lagov
— Gov. John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) September 28, 2022

Hurricane Ian is a Category 4 hurricane packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph.

Some coastal gauges are now reporting water rises, the beginning of Ian’s storm surge, including in Naples, Florida, where over four feet of storm surge inundation has been measured, more than any other storm at that gauge location in at least 50 years, according to The Weather Channel.

Heavy rain and strong wind gusts are hitting parts of the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys as of Wednesday morning.

Street flooding was reported in Stuart, about 100 miles north of Miami.