Hurricane Ian rapidly intensifies as it nears Florida

A dog is walked through floodwater as the tide rises in Key West, Florida as the first bands of rain associated with Hurricane Ian pass to the west of the island chain (Rob O’Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)

Hurricane Ian has rapidly intensified off Florida’s south-west coast, gaining top winds of 155mph, just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status.

Damaging winds and rain lashed the state’s heavily populated Gulf Coast, with the Naples to Sarasota region at “highest risk” of a devastating storm surge.