Tropical storm Ian strengthened into a hurricane Monday as Florida prepared for possible floods this week.
"Ian will then emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, and pass west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday, and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday," it said.
Earlier, the NHC had warned of the possibility of “considerable flooding impacts” later this week in west central Florida.
In photos captured Sunday, residents in Tampa, Florida, could be seen filling sandbags to help prevent against flooding ahead of the storm.
"Life-threatening" storm surge and hurricane-force winds are also expected to hit parts of western Cuba starting late Monday, with Ian expected to be at or near major hurricane strength by the time it nears western Cuba.