Weather reporter gets hit by flying tree branch while covering Hurricane Ian

The storm has been named the fifth-largest to hit the mainland United States in recorded history, with winds of up to 155mph (250km/h).

Meteorologist Jim Cantore was at ground zero to document the arrival of the storm, in an equal parts brave and ridiculous assignment.

It’s incredibly jarring footage that shows just how chaotic Hurricane Ian really is on the ground. 

At one point during the footage, a tree branch comes flying down the street and catches Cantore, making him lose his footing.

The reporter thankfully decides to come off the streets at that moment - but not without its difficulties.

He attempts to hold onto a street sign as he exclaims: “I just can’t keep my footing.”

The struggle is further evidenced by another street sign blown down and out of the ground laying behind him.

In a later clip posted by The Weather Channel, it appears Cantore and his team have taken refuge on a building balcony.

He says: “We have come up here for safety from the surge…and where we were earlier, it looks like there’s three or four feet of water. Waves crashing over the area from earlier this morning.”

He continues: “This is one of the worst hurricanes I have ever been in. It may be the worst in terms of covering over 25 years and 90 storms.

“It looks like a North Atlantic Ocean storm here in Fort Myers.

“The ocean, the river and the gulf has taken over everything.”

People online were astonished that Cantore had even decided to get out there in the thick of things.

One wrote: “I don’t know man, maybe get the hell out of there.”

Another said: “I don’t know what Jim Cantore is getting paid, but it’s not enough.”

A third added: “Hurricane doesn’t start until we see Jim Cantore holding a street sign for dear life.”

Many videos circulating on social media show debris and vehicles being dragged along by the strong current that has entered local neighbourhoods near the beach.