Hurricane Ian hits Florida with catastrophic winds and rain; see pics

"Extremely dangerous" Ian made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in southwestern Florida on September 29 with fierce winds, torrential downpours and raging surf that flooded oceanside communities. The powerful hurricane left over eight lakh people without power and in complete blackout.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida with fierce winds and downpours that flooded oceanside communities on September 29. Credit: AP Photo

Ian blasted ashore with catastrophic force as a Category 4 hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour, and quickly plunged the region's flat, low-lying landscape into a scene of devastation. Credit: Reuters Photo

Ian was causing 'catastrophic' storm surges, winds, and flooding in the Florida Peninsula, a NHC update read. Credit: Reuters Photo

After lashing Florida's east coast, Ian will move towards northeastern Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coasts and will land on September 30. Credit: Reuters Photo

As of Wednesday (September 29) afternoon, more than 814,000 customers are without power in Florida due to the storm, according to PowerOutage.us. Credit: Reuters Photo

'Fleets of highwater vehicles, 42,000 linemen, 7,000 members of the National Guards, and 179 aircraft had been mobilized in response to the hurricane's impact,' Florida Governor tweeted. Credit: Reuters Photo

There were no official reports of storm-related fatalities or serious injuries. An unspecified number of people were known to be stranded and in need of help in 'high-risk' areas after choosing to ride out the storm at home rather than heed evacuation orders, but they were beyond the immediate reach of rescue crews, DeSantis said. Credit: Reuters Photo

US President Joe Biden said from the White House that the federal government was 'on alert and in action' as the storm was closing in on Florida. Credit: Reuters Photo

Firefighters rescue a person amidst flooding in Naples, Florida. Credit: Reuters Photo