A reanalysis of Hurricane Ian by the National Hurricane Center finds it briefly reached Category 5 strength over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico before making landfall. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ian briefly sustained winds of over 160 mph in the Gulf

  • It weakened to a Category 4 storm at landfall

  • Winds were estimated to be 150 mph at landfall

It was estimated that winds briefly peaked at 161 mph, then it gradually weakened as it approached land. 

The biggest and deadliest impact Ian brought was storm surge, which was estimated to be 10 to 15 feet above ground level in the hardest hit spots. 

Storm surge claimed 41 lives, with 36 of those deaths occurring in Lee County. 

In total, there were 66 direct fatalities from Hurricane Ian, with 156 total deaths attributed to the storm. 

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