Ports on Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts moved to close down operations on Sept. 28 and ordered bigger vessels out to sea as they braced for potential damage from Hurricane Ian, which made landfall near Cayo Costa, Florida, as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Port Miami and Port Everglades, major stops for cruise lines, set alerts at the Yankee level, one step short of a complete shutdown, starting at 8 p.m. Sept. 28 to allow only for operators to prepare for the storm, according to a U.S. Coast Guard bulletin.

The ports ordered all vessels larger than 500 gross tons to leave berths and anchorages to protect against damage to the ships and on land from the expected storm surges.

The Jacksonville port, the state’s largest commercial cargo port, joined Port Tampa Bay in moving to the highest-level Condition Zulu at noon Wednesday, halting all operations and restricting inbound trucks to only essential business.

“The port will remain closed until after Ian passes and the Coast Guard determines it is safe to reopen,” the Jacksonville Port Authority said.