Horses evacuated in Florida as Hurricane Ian approaches

US-based British showjumper Grace Debney has scored her second career five-star win — (Image credit: Andrew Ryback)

More than 2,000 horses have been evacuated in Florida as owners prepare for the arrival of “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Ian.

The “life-threatening storm surge” made landfall over Cuba around 4.30am EDT (9.30am UK time) this morning (27 September) and forecasters predict it will continue over Florida today, making its way up the east coast until Friday evening (30 October).

Heavy rainfall is expected to increase across the Florida Keys and south Florida, spreading into central and northern Florida, into the southeast coast by Thursday and Friday. This is likely to cause flash, urban and small stream flooding. Considerable flooding is expected across central Florida into southern Georgia and coastal South Carolina, with widespread, prolonged moderate to major river flooding expected.

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

More than 2,000 horses evacuated as US owners prepare for Hurricane Ian

The World Equestrian Center in Ocala, northern Florida, has taken in more than 2,000 evacuated horses – but has now reached capacity.

“We applaud the efforts of the World Equestrian Center who have generously opened their facility for more than 2,000 horses in need of housing. The equestrian community always comes together in times of need,” said the spokesman.

“USEF is prepared to activate the USEF disaster relief fund and provide resources immediately to non-profit organisations to fund supplies and horse care where needed. We will continue to accept donations to support the USEF Disaster Relief Fund today and in the future.”

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