Editor's note: A version of this column by retired Miami Herald senior writer and lead hurricane writer Martin Merzer was originally posted on Facebook and published before Hurricane Hermine in 2016. The path of Hurricane Ian is not yet clear, but we are republishing this now to help with preparation in case it does hit here.

The National Hurricane Center's forecasts are beginning to lock into a possible landfall of Hurricane Ian along the Big Bend or Gulf Coast late Thursday. The Tallahassee area has been near the center of the forecast cone for nearly 24 hours, though forecasters caution that the point of impact still can shift considerably.

The cone represents the possible path of Ian's core. A powerful storm such as Ian is much more than just its core - and its outlying wind, rain and surf can stretch hundreds of miles from the center.

So, even if the storm's powerful core makes landfall to the right or left, it is becoming clear that Tallahassee and the surrounding region could be impacted by a significant weather event later this week.

Latest forecast and track:With a possible Cat 4 Hurricane Ian incoming, model split keeps Florida guessing | WeatherTiger

Do yourself a favor. Take this seriously. Begin your preparations, slowly and calmly, now.

Martin Merzer, now of Tallahassee, served for 35 years as a reporter for the Associated Press and the Miami Herald.