Flooding strands Florida residents as Ian takes aim at Carolinas
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| Image Credit: REUTERS |
Hurricane Ian left behind deadly floodwaters, downed power lines, and extensive damage on Florida's Gulf Coast, prompting emergency personnel to race on helicopters and boats to reach stranded citizens.
One of the most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S. mainland, Ian flooded communities along the Gulf Coast before slamming into the Atlantic Ocean and heading across the peninsula. There, it was predicted to regain some of its lost power before making a second landfall in South Carolina on Friday.
Rescuers were only just beginning to respond to calls after being unable to leave earlier due to the hazardous conditions, so it was unclear how many people had died and been injured.
Ian may end up being the deadliest hurricane in Florida history, according to President Joe Biden, who was speaking at FEMA's headquarters in Washington.
The exact numbers are still unknown, but early reports indicate that there may have been a significant loss of life, according to Biden.
According to utility companies, there are still over 2.6 million homes and businesses without electricity in Florida. Over 900,000 people live in Lee and Charlotte counties, which the governor Ron DeSantis described as being "basically off the grid."
On Wednesday afternoon, Category 4 Hurricane Ian made landfall at the barrier island of Cayo Costa with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 km per hour).
As Ian swept seawater into waterfront homes, the storm turned Florida's southwest coast, which is dotted with sandy beaches, coastal towns, and mobile home parks, into a disaster area.
During a news conference, DeSantis described the damage sustained by the well-known vacation spot as "destruction." "Sanibel Island got hit with really biblical storm surge. It washed away roads. It washed away structures," he said.
DeSantis previously stated that the bridge to the island was impassable and that 28 helicopters were conducting water rescues.
"Efforts are still being made to identify and bring off the island a number of people safely," he said.
After spending the night at an elementary school in Venice, Terri Byrd was trying to get cell service when she said, "A lot of down trees, a lot of flooding everywhere. We are trying to get a hold of my daughter."
Officials and locals spent the morning evaluating the damage throughout the area.
Trees, debris, and power lines covered the roads in Punta Gorda, a town that was directly in the path of the hurricane, but many of the buildings were still standing and had fared better than many had anticipated.
Local landscaper Jeffrey Chambers, 53, described the storm as "insane," adding that it brought whiteout conditions and sideways rain. "Please stop already, just stop," I pleaded, but it just kept going.
Emergency personnel carried people and pets to dry land in the Orlando area, about 170 miles northeast of where Ian made landfall, as seen in video clips posted to Twitter.
DISASTER DECLARATION
The United States' Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina were all affected by Ian's storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rains as it moved across Florida. said the National Hurricane Center.
Due to Ian's potential effects, American plane maker Boeing Co (BA.N), German automaker Mercedes Benz (MBGn.DE), and the seaports that serve manufacturers will all cease operations in South Carolina on Friday.
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According to the Miami-based forecaster, the storm was about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of Cape Canaveral and had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph). By Friday evening, the storm was forecast to regain hurricane strength. Parts of central Florida were expected to receive up to 30 inches (76 cm) of rain, according to the hurricane center.
On Thursday, Biden spoke with DeSantis and assured him that his administration was committed to close coordination and that Director Deanne Criswell of the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be visiting Florida on Friday. As soon as the circumstances permit, Biden said he will visit the state.
Additionally, Biden signed a disaster declaration that made federal aid available to the storm-affected counties.
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