Hurricane Ian continues to intensify, and the National Hurricane Center says it has increased to a Category 3 major hurricane.

While it is too soon to determine the exact magnitude and location of these impacts, residents in Cuba, the Florida Keys, and the Florida peninsula should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and closely monitor forecast updates through the weekend.

St. Johns County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County are monitoring Tropical Depression 9.

Emergency management agencies in counties across Northeast Florida are tracking the tropics.

Earlier, Tropical Depression 9 was investigated by Hurricane Hunters, and they found a broad area of low pressure. Still, since being on station, they recorded a gradual increase in air pressure and a nearly complete loss of showers and storms anywhere near the center. Not quite a tropical storm, yet.

Columbia County residents are encouraged to monitor the system.

Flagler County officials are urging residents to take time this weekend for storm preparations.

The category 1 storm is moving away from Jacksonville's coast at 7 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The first coast will see a high risk of rip current and high surf Monday as Humberto moves off the Atlantic coastline. Your 11 AM (9/16) Tropical Update - Hurricane #Humberto will continue to move ENE away from the area. It is getting stronger feeding off warm water and reduced shear and it shows in its satellite appearance looking more like a hurricane. Forecasters expect the storm to stay offshore of Florida's eastern coast, so a tropical storm watch is no longer in effect for the state.