Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct/most appropriate options:
Hurricane Ian was a large, deadly, and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina. It was the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
Ian originated from a tropical wave that was located by the National Hurricane Center east of the Windward Islands on September 19, 2022. Two days later, the wave moved into the Caribbean Sea, bringing winds and heavy rain to the ABC islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and the northern coasts of Venezuela and Colombia on September 21 and 22. It showed signs of developing into a tropical depression later that day, as convection increased and the system became more compact. After strengthening into Tropical Storm Ian, it became a hurricane as it neared the Cayman Islands, before rapidly intensifying to a high-end Category 3 hurricane as it made landfall in western Cuba. Significant storm surges and heavy rainfall affected Cuba, and the entire province of Pinar del Río lost power. It slightly weakened during its time over land but re-strengthened once it moved into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and over the Dry Tortugas. It became a high-end Category 4 hurricane early on September 28, 2022, as it progressed towards the west coast of Florida. Ian remained at Category 4 strength as it made landfall in southwest Florida on Cayo Costa Island, tying with several other storms as the 5th-strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the contiguous United States. After making a second landfall in Southwest Florida, Ian rapidly weakened to a tropical storm before moving back out into the Atlantic, where the storm reintensified back to a hurricane and made landfall in South Carolina.
Ian caused _______ damage in parts of Southwest Florida, mostly from flooding due to extreme storm surges and rainfall. In particular, the cities of Fort Myers Beach and Naples were impacted strongly. Millions were left without power in the storm's wake, and several inhabitants were forced to take refuge on their roofs. Sanibel suffered major flooding as well and its causeway collapsed. In total, Hurricane Ian has caused at least 90 fatalities including 3 people in Cuba, 83 in Florida, and 4 in North Carolina as of October 3, according to local officials. Additionally in the Florida Keys, a boat carrying 27 Cuban migrants capsized off Stock Island as Ian approached. Nine people survived, two drowned and 16 others were still missing as of September 30.
On September 24, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida. Tampa Bay area schools also announced closures, and several colleges and universities, including the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, and Eckerd College announced that they were canceling classes and closing. By September 27, 55 public school districts across the state announced cancellations, many through the end of the week. Officials at the Kennedy Space Center delayed the launch of NASA's Artemis 1, and the rocket was returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building. President Joe Biden approved a state of emergency declaration for Florida on September 24. Additionally, the Biden Administration declared a public health emergency for Florida as well. Numerous airports and ports, including those in Tampa, Tampa Bay, Orlando, St. Petersburg, and Key West announced that they would be suspending operations. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando stated that they would be closing attractions. Numerous stores, including Walmart and Waffle House, were closed because of the impending dangerous weather.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of multiple counties. Around 300,000 people may be evacuated from areas of Hillsborough County with schools and other locations being used as shelters. Governor DeSantis mobilized 5,000 Florida state national guard troops with another 2,000 on standby in neighboring states. Officials in Tallahassee and nearby cities removed debris and monitored the city's power lines and storm-water systems to make sure the infrastructure systems were prepared and secured.