Tornadoes have spun off from Hurricane Ian as it ploughed into Florida's Gulf Coast, with catastrophic force leaving power out and forcing residents into a curfew.
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More than 2.5 million people have been ordered to evacuate the category four hurricane.
As the storm smashed into the coastline, the ocean was swept up and inundated homes, businesses and streets.
A shark was even swept into the street in Fort Myers.
Drenching rain and wild winds have brought down trees and powerlines.
The hurricane sparked its own weather patterns, with five tornado warnings issued and people told to stay indoors.
Collier County emergency management director Dan Summers said Florida is "not out of the woods yet".
"We still have to watch the storm go past us. We still have a significant opportunity for storm surge inundation," he said.
Mr Summers said the category four storm could escalate to a category five.
Curfews are in place in a number of counties, including Naples and Collier, and people are urged to stay off the road and out of the water.
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Naples Fire-Rescue Department station was inundated with water from the ocean surges, with firefighters forced to push partially submerged trucks out of the station when they were called to help at a flood rescue.
The United States Navy ordered its 4th Fleet ships and aircraft out of the hurricane's way.
"Ships began departures from Naval Station Mayport yesterday [Tuesday]," the US Navy said.
"Naval Station personnel have completed heavy weather mooring for those required to stay in port. Aircraft completed all evacuations from area airfields and the rest are secured in hangars rated to withstand hurricane force winds."
Two dead as Ian plunges Cuba into darkness
At least two people have died in Cuba as Hurricane Ian tore across the island country on its way to the Gulf of Mexico and Florida.
Cuba's electrical grid collapsed, leaving the entire country in the dark shortly after Hurricane Ian ploughed through the western end of the island leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
Power outages as Ian batters Florida
More than 500,000 homes and businesses are without power, with local utilities battling to restore energy amid the storm surges.
"Hurricane Ian's catastrophic winds will mean parts of our system will need to be rebuilt - not restored," Florida Power & Light said on Twitter.
"Be prepared for widespread, extended outages as we are assessing the damage. We are already at work restoring power where we can do so safely."
Nadine Morton
I report on crime, emergency services and police matters. Email me on nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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