(27 Sep 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: US NETWORK POOL Washington - 27 September 2022 1. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell walks up to podium 2. Wide shot of Criswell in White House briefing room 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator: "Ian is moving toward western Florida at approximately 12 miles per hour and at this time, we are expecting landfall somewhere between Fort Myers and Tampa. By the time it reaches the shores of Florida, the storm is going to slow down to approximately five miles per hour. And this is significant because what this means is that Floridians are going to experience the impacts from this storm for a very long time. I can tell you that our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge. And I will note that storm surge is a leading cause of hurricane related fatalities." 4. Wide cutaway of Criswell speaking 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator: "So therefore, if people are told to evacuate by their local officials, please listen to them. The decision you choose to make may mean the difference between life and death." 6. Wide cutaway of Criswell speaking 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator: "And so my message to those who may be watching at home: get ready and do not underestimate the potential that this storm can bring STORYLINE: FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell issued a dire warning to Florida residents as they brace for Hurricane Ian's landfall, telling them "do not underestimate" the potential life-threatening impacts of the storm. Ian tore into western Cuba Tuesday as a major hurricane, with nothing to stop it from intensifying into a catastrophic Category 4 storm before it crashes ashore Wednesday in Florida, where officials ordered 2.5 million people to evacuate. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches Florida's southwest coast. Tropical storm-force winds were expected across the southern peninsula late Tuesday, reaching hurricane force Wednesday morning. Criswell said by the time the storm reaches the shores of Florida, it is expected to slow down to approximately five miles per hour, which she said is significant in its potential for dangerous storm surge. "What this means means is that Floridians are going to experience the impacts from this storm for a very long time," Criswell said. "I can tell you that our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge. And I will note that storm surge is a leading cause of hurricane related fatalities." With tropical storm-force winds extending 115 miles (185 kilometers) from Ian's center, damage was expected across a wide area of Florida, regardless of where Ian makes landfall. The hurricane center expanded its storm surge warning to the peninsula's Atlantic coast, and expanded its tropical storm warning from Boca Raton to Brunswick, Georgia a distance of about 375 miles (603 kilometers). Criswell said what makes storms like these particularly dangerous is their unpredictability. So she urged residents to listen to their local officials, heed their warnings and do not become complacent. "Get ready and do not underestimate the potential that this storm can bring. Know where you are going to get your information, listen to your local officials and heed their advice. They are trying to keep you safe," she said. =========================================================== Clients are reminded: Subscribe for more Breaking News: http://smarturl.it/AssociatedPress Website: https://apnews.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP Facebook: https://facebook.com/APNews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/0e37ae4e6d094148898e1f9349fa8163