Hurricane Ian Strengthens and Returns to Land – Florida Death Toll Uncertain | News from the United States


Hurricane Ian is gaining strength and veers towards the Carolinas, with uncertainty as to how many casualties the storm has caused in Florida.

This is one of the strongest storms to ever hit the United States – and emergency teams are trying to reach the stranded Floridians after Ian opens a path of destruction through the state.

More than 2.6 million power outages have been reported, with officials warning of dangerous floods. There was virtually no mobile phone service in some areas and internet connectivity was also affected.

First reports of “substantial loss of life” – Hurricane Ian updates

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Biden: Storm may be “the deadliest in Florida history”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis paused before confirming how many people were killed, but said, “We fully expect to have mortality from this hurricane.”

And President Joe Biden said, “The numbers aren’t clear yet, but we’re hearing early reports of what could be a substantial loss of life.”

According to NBC News, at least 12 deaths have been linked Hurricane Ian so far in Florida.

A 72-year-old man died after going out during the storm to drain his pool.

The sheriff of one of the worst affected areas – Lee County – told US media that the dead could be “in the hundreds” and that he had received thousands of calls to the emergency health services.

“He crushed us,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. “We still can’t access many of the people in need.”

It is feared that many in the worst affected areas have not been able to seek help due to power outages and mobile phone networks.

Eyewitness: Nobody expected this storm to be this violent

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Storm-ravaged city

Ian has now returned to the Atlantic Ocean, but is expected to land again at 2pm local time (7pm UK time) later today as a category one hurricane.

Forecasts suggest it will bring life-threatening floods, storm surges, high winds, and potentially landslides and tornadoes to Georgia, as well as North and South Carolina.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is urging residents to take precautions and warned, “This storm is still dangerous.”

A hurricane warning is in effect for hundreds of miles of coastline.

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Island shut down after Hurricane Ian destroyed the causeway

In South Carolina, the city of Charleston is at particular risk. A report commissioned by local officials suggests that 90% of all residential properties are vulnerable to storm surges.

Mr. DeSantis called the damage in Florida “historic” and disaster officials believe thousands could be displaced in the long term.

It appeared that Walt Disney World and other central Florida tourist attractions had averted major damage from Ian, but many businesses on the state’s southwestern coast, also a tourist hotspot, have been destroyed and face a lengthy rebuilding process.

President Biden declared a major disaster, freeing up federal funds to pay for measures such as temporary housing for displaced people.

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Widespread destruction in Florida

Ian was a category four storm with winds up to 150 mph when it hit southwest Florida on Wednesday, making it the fifth strongest joint hurricane to hit the United States.

At least 700 confirmed rescues have been carried out statewide, with first responders going door-to-door in the aftermath of Ian.

Locals are urged to be careful when using chainsaws and ladders – with emergency officials warning that the number of “indirect deaths” during the cleanup could exceed the casualties caused by the hurricane itself.

Most schools in Florida are expected to reopen today or Monday and flights from Orlando Airport will resume in the next few hours.

Read more from Sky News:
The dramatic before and after images show a scale of destruction
Residents describe escaping the eye of the storm

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How climate change is fueling hurricanes

Preliminary reports from scientists studying extreme weather conditions suggest that man-made climate change increased Hurricane Ian’s rainfall by 10%.

A warmer atmosphere can contain more water vapor. Researcher Michael Wehner of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory said, “Climate change didn’t cause the storm, but it made it wetter.”

MIT atmospheric scientist Kerry Emanuel added, “This very, very heavy rain business is something we expected to see due to climate change.

“We will see more storms like Ian.”

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