HURRICANE IAN UPDATES: Storm rapidly intensifying into powerful Category 4 near Florida

Brian Shields,Rusty McCranie,James Tutten / / WFTV9 / yahoo!news

Hurricane Ian strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm Wednesday morning.

Ian continues to move toward the southwest coast of Florida and is expected to bring significant impacts to Central Florida.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

9:30 a.m. update:

The latest models show double-digit rain totals for much of Central Florida.

DeLand is forecast to receive nearly 30 inches of rain.

Widespread flooding in rivers, low-lying and urban areas is expected.

Over the last 12 hours, Hurricane Ian had a quick eyewall replacement cycle, which allowed it to strengthen this morning to near Category 5.

Evacuation orders have been enacted for parts of Seminole and Flagler counties. Read more, see tweets and videos here.

Liberal Media Torches First Female Italian Prime Minister for the Most Obvious Reasons

Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet

 

Italy has clinched a historic benchmark as they await their first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, the far-right candidate. Her Brothers of Italy Party scored a resounding victory in the recent general election. The right-wing bloc comes after years of political turmoil that has seen one government replaced by another within a few months. Based on reports, the pervasive political instability partially played a role in neutralizing the Italian Left’s attacks against Meloni. They tried to brand her a fascist autocrat, but 18-plus months of turnstile governments and fragile coalitions would probably make any electorate vote for someone new and unconventional. 

Our friends at Newsbusters captured the liberal media going apoplectic since Meloni’s campaign was grounded on “God, country, and family.” So, of course, the Left’s mind melted into oblivion that some politicians would run on a national messaging campaign that makes total sense. Read more, see tweet and video here.