Hurricane Ian Live Updates: Damage Rising In South Carolina; At Least 21 Die During Storm In Florida | The Weather Channel

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A state official mentioned Friday that at the least 21 folks have died in Florida throughout Hurricane Ian, although 20 of these deaths haven’t been formally confirmed as being attributable to the storm.

M​edical examiners will decide whether or not the deaths must be attributed to the storm. So far, seven deaths in Florida have been linked to Ian: two in Volusia County, a kind of in New Smyrna and one in Deltona; two in Sarasota County; two on Sanibel Island in Lee County; and one in Lake County. In addition, three folks died when Ian hit Cuba, in keeping with the Associated Press.

Rescue operations are persevering with and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned barges will likely be used to get restoration gear to the barrier islands devastated when Ian roared ashore. Meanwhile, survivors are getting a clearer image of the astounding losses.

(​MORE: The Most Jaw-Dropping Images Of Hurricane Ian’s Aftermath)

Ian got here ashore close to Fort Myers on Wednesday after which slowly crawled throughout the state all day Thursday with heavy rainfall and damaging winds that flooded neighborhoods and streets in Orlando, St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 1 on the South Carolina coast close to Georgetown about 2:05 p.m. See the newest particulars right here.

Here are our updates because the information unfolds at present.

(​2:15 p.m. ET) Cherry Grove Beach Pier Collapses

W​MBF stories {that a} portion of the Cherry Grove Beach Pier in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, seems to have collapsed.

(​2:11 p.m. ET) Water Rushing Through Myrtle Beach Streets

T​he Myrtle Beach Police Department has tweeted a video of an SUV driving by means of excessive water as extra water floods onto Ocean Boulevard at Third Avenue South.

(​1:57 p.m. ET) Isle Of Palms Fire Department Suspends Service

The Isle of Palms Fire Department introduced it’s temporarily suspending operations due to the wind from Hurricane Ian. it mentioned it should resume service as quickly as it’s secure to take action.

W​ater can also be piling up on the barrier island on the South Carolina coast.

(1:52 p.m. ET) Every Structure In Cape Coral Damaged

The Cape Coral, Florida, fireplace chief says Hurricane Ian has been a “catastrophic event” for the town.

Fire Chief Ryan Lamb informed the Fort Myers News-Press the town is engaged on assessing how a lot injury the town sustained.

“I believe every structure in the city of Cape Coral has been damaged, from a shingle that’s been damaged to catastrophic damage,” Lamb mentioned. “It’s been a catastrophic event for the city.”

He mentioned the restoration course of will take years.

“It’s going to take years, this is a pivotal impact event for the city of Cape Coral, this is going to affect the way we operate and do business for a very long time.

(1:40 p.m. ET) Ferry May Be Used For Sanibel Island

Florida and county officials are discussing whether to put ferries into service in areas where bridges have been destroyed, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in an afternoon briefing on Hurricane Ian.

DeSantis has said at least two bridges — one to Sanibel Island and one to Pine Island — will need to be rebuilt. Currently the only accesss to those areas is by boat and air.

Ferry was the only way to get to Sanibel in the 1950s, before the causeway was built.

(​1:39 p.m. ET) Residents, Pets Rescued On Pawleys Island

The Midway Fire Rescue department used a high-water truck to rescue residents and pets at a home in the 300 block of Myrtle Avenue on Pawleys Island on Friday.

Everyone got out safely according to the Police Department.

(1:32 p.m. ET) Pawleys Island Loses Part Of Pier

The end of the Pawleys Island pier has collapsed and is floating south, according to the island’s Police Department.

(1:29 p.m. ET) Searchers Digging Deeper In Ian’s Rubble

Urban search and rescue crews are now digging deeper in the rubble in the most hard-hit areas in Florida, state emergency management director Kevin Guthrie said in a news conference a few minutes ago.

Initially, rescuers do what’s known as a “hasty” search, shortly trying and listening for any victims they may be capable to assist.

In the second part, they being to go looking by means of particles.

“That is a very slow and tedious process,” Guthrie mentioned.

(1:27 p.m. ET) Folly Beach Flooding

The metropolis of Folly Beach, South Carolina, stories that each one facet streets alongside East Ashley as much as Fifth Street are submerged. East Cooper and East Ashley past Fifth Street are flooded. Tabby Island, Mariners Cay, and different areas on the again of the island are reported as flooded. Power outages are being reported on the East Side.

(1:15 p.m. ET) Tree Crushes Car, Traps Driver

Windy circumstances from Hurricane Ian brought on a big pine tree to fall onto a shifting automobile in Irmo, South Carolina.

The car’s roof was crushed when the tree fell about 4 p.m. Thursday, in keeping with the Irmo Fire District.

The automobile continued down the street for a number of hundred yards and got here to relaxation in a yard towards one other tree. The driver was injured and trapped within the automobile.

Once she was faraway from the automobile, she was taken to a hospital and is anticipated to outlive, the fireplace district mentioned.

(​1:10 p.m. ET) Power Outages Top 100,000 In SC

More than 116,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us.

P​ower may very well be out for days for a lot of in South Carolina and in Florida. Here are helpful tips that would assist.

(1:06 p.m. ET) McMaster: ‘We’re Not Out Of The Woods Yet’

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster spoke at a news conference Friday afternoon.

“As I speak the center of Hurricane Ian is approaching the coast of South Carolina just above Charleston mainly from Bulls Bay up through Myrtle Beach,” he mentioned.

McMaster mentioned the Grand Strand space round Myrtle Beach is seeing tough seas and water is backing up behind the seashores and the creeks. He additionally described timber and energy traces being knocked down and water standing in streets in a number of cities.

“It’s not as bad as it could have been,” McMaster mentioned. “A lot of prayers have been answered but I would ask people don’t quit yet it’s still coming. We are not out of the woods.”

No deaths have been reported however there are nonetheless life-threatening circumstances, he mentioned.

“Right now when the storm seems to be receding in some parts of the state and is moving onto others at hurricane speeds, this is when people normally get careless, get hurt and, unfortunately, often lose their lives,” McMaster mentioned.

(​12:40 p.m. ET) Deputies Sheltering In Place

D​eputies in Charleston County are sheltering in place as Hurricane Ian approaches landfall in South Carolina. The Sheriff’s Office says individuals who enterprise out and get into hassle might not get assist shortly.

(​12:28 p.m. ET) Flooding In Georgetown, SC

S​treet flooding is being reported in Georgetown, South Carolina, the place Ian is anticipated to make landfall.

(​12:23 p.m. ET) Power Outages Top 60,000 In SC

Nearly 64,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us.

(​12:20 p.m. ET) 8,000 Residents of Senior Facilities Displaced

About 47 nursing houses and 115 assisted residing services in Florida have been evacuated as of Friday.

That means as many as 8,000 residents stay displaced by Hurricane Ian, Kristen Knapp of the Florida Health Care Association informed the Associated Press.

Knapp mentioned there have been no stories of significant accidents or deaths amongst these houses’ residents.

Steve Bahmer of Leading Age Florida, which represents non-profit long-term care services, mentioned his group had acquired stories of minor injury, damaged home windows, downed timber and flooding. He mentioned one facility was hit by a twister however residents have been in a position to stay there.

(​11:48 a.m. ET) Evacuation Orders Lifted In Northeast Florida

A​ll evacuations orders in St. Johns County have been lifted as of 11 a.m. Shelters will shut at 3 p.m.

T​he evacuation order for Nassau County was lifted at 8:30 a.m.

(​11:41 a.m. ET) Storm Surge Breaching Dunes

(​11:40 a.m. ET) Causeways To Pawleys Island Closes

S​torm surge has began pushing onto Pawleys Island and has coated the South Causeway all the best way to Wyndham Drive, the Pawleys Island Police Department stories. Both the South and North Causeways are closed.

(​11:32 a.m. ET) More Road Closures In Charleston

T​he Charleston Police Department says there are 24 street closures and 18 visitors lights out all through the town.

(​11:12 a.m. ET) Power Outages Top 40,000 In SC

More than 41,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us.

(​11:07 a.m. ET) Evacuation Order Not Lifted Yet In St. Johns

Residents who evacuated from St. Johns County in Florida are being requested to not return to their houses but.

Emergency Management officers say they’re working to evaluate the injury left by Hurricane Ian, in keeping with News 4 Jax.

Numerous timber and energy traces have been knocked down and flooding has brought on hazardous circumstances.

St. Augustine, which is in St. Johns County, noticed water stream out of the Matanzas River and into the town’s historic downtown.

(​10:58 a.m. ET) Wind And Rain On The Battery

(10:54 a.m. ET) Trees Coming Down Far Inland In SC

The Columbia-Richland Fire Department, which is within the heart of South Carolina, stories it has dealt with a number of requires downed timber and energy traces within the space. Winds may attain 30 to 40 mph at present in Columbia, the state capital.

(10:49 a.m. ET) 500 Being Evacuated In North Port, Florida

At least 500 individuals are being evacuated from neighborhoods in North Port, Florida, due to rising water.

ABC 7 stories neighborhoods close to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park are in danger.

Water is flowing out of the creek, and rising in these neighborhoods.

Emergency crews are attempting to get Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission boats to these folks to allow them to be taken to North Port High School, ABC 7 reporter Shane Battis says. He added that evacuations might proceed over the weekend.

Ian’s heavy rain has triggered report flooding on some rivers and creeks in southwest Florida, and people floodwaters are shifting downstream. Record flooding has been noticed on the Peace River and Horse Creek. The Myakka River at Myakka River State Park may be very near tying its report crest as properly.

(10:46 a.m. ET) Charleston Airport Closes

Charleston International Airport has closed forward of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Ian. Airlines had already canceled dozens of flights and the airport has a coverage of closing when winds attain 40 mph.

The airport will remained closed till 6 a.m. Saturday.

(​10:38 a.m. ET) Pawleys Island Flooding

W​ater from the Atlantic Ocean has begun washing over Myrtle Avenue on Pawleys Island in South Carolina.

(​10:36 a.m. ET) Power Outages Nearly Double in South Carolina

More than 26,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us.

(​10:18 a.m. ET) Strong Winds In Myrtle Beach

(9:48 a.m. ET) Update From Florida Governor

There has been a “herculean effort” to rescue folks, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned in a briefing Friday morning.

He additionally mentioned infrastructure wants are being met. For instance, he mentioned, Lee County had a water principal break. The county doesn’t have water at this level. FEMA has supplied the Army Corps of Engineers to assist get water restored there.

At least 800 bridges have been inspected and reopened.

Pine Island and Sanibel bridges will have to be rebuilt, DeSantis mentioned.

Barges will likely be used to carry extra heavy gear to the barrier islands devastated by Ian to assist with rescue and restoration efforts, he mentioned.

Six Southwest Florida well being care services have been evacuated, he mentioned.

The Port of Tampa, Port of Miami and Port Everglades have reopened and all the state’s port must be reopened by Saturday.

(9:40 a.m. ET) State Official Says 21 Deaths May Be Linked To Ian

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, supplied an update Friday morning on the loss of life toll from Hurricane Ian within the state.

Guthrie mentioned there had been one loss of life in Polk County that was a direct results of Ian. There have been 12 fatalities in Charlotte County and eight fatalities in Collier County, however these haven’t but been immediately linked to the hurricane.

He additionally mentioned there had been deaths in Lee County, however he mentioned these numbers had not been processed.

Guthrie described a state of affairs through which a Coast Guard rescue swimmer noticed our bodies inside a home the place the water had gone over the roof the home. Until the water recedes and the proper gear is introduced in, Guthrie mentioned, these our bodies cannot be eliminated.

Until the water recedes and the proper gear is introduced in, Guthrie mentioned, these our bodies cannot be eliminated.

He additionally defined that county health workers will make the dedication on whether or not or not a loss of life was immediately or not directly associated to Hurricane Ian.

(​8:37 a.m. ET) Power Outages Rising In Lowcountry

Nearly 10,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us.

(9:21 a.m. ET) Food Kitchens Won’t Open For Several Days

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, mentioned in a information convention Friday morning that Floridians affected by Ian have to be counting on their very own private provides for meals and water for the subsequent day or so.

Guthrie mentioned there have been questions on meals distribution factors. He defined that in days two and three after a storm, folks ought to depend on their private household plan for meals and water. Before storms, individuals are suggested to have meals and water for seven days.

National Guard and area people distribution will happen in days 3 to five. It will embody water and dry meals, Guthrie mentioned.

After that, mass feeding kitchens with scorching meals will likely be introduced in to these communities most impacted.

G​uthrie additionally described the three search phases: a hasty search for survivors and shifting these folks to security; major search is extra detailed, and that is the stage they’re in now, after which a secondary search will likely be performed after that.

(9 a.m. ET) Winds Whipping In Charleston

(8:54 a.m. ET) Do Not Go Out In Fort Myers

The metropolis of Fort Myers has reminded folks there to stay of their houses or shelters at present.

“We have a stay-at-home ORDER. We are HOPING to not provide citations, BUT there are many vehicles on roads PREVENTING US from reaching areas that need clearing,” a tweet from the town mentioned.

(​8:37 a.m. ET) Power Outages Rising In Lowcountry

Nearly 10,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us.

(8:31 a.m. ET) Aerial Photos Show Scale Of Destruction

A​erial pictures from NOAA are giving us a primary look on the destruction Hurricane Ian’s storm surge and excessive winds have brought on in Southwest Florida. N​OAA has surveyed parts of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island up to now. See extra photographs right here.

(​8:29 a.m. ET) Flooding Sticking Around In Florida

(7:53 a.m. ET) The Goats Are Safe

Every 12 months from April by means of November, a herd of goats reside on Goat Island in Murrells Inlet, a neighborhood south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

With Hurricane Ian approaching the coast, the goats have been moved to a close-by farm to attend out the storm, ABC 15 News stories.

https://wpde.com/news/local/goats-removed-from-goat-island-in-murrells-inlet-ahead-of-tropical-storm-ian

Once the menace has handed, they will be returned to assist management undergrowth on the island.

(7​:23 a.m. ET) Lowcountry Feeling First Impacts Of Ian

W​inds are starting to gust and water is already making some streets impassable.

A wind gust of 66 mph was lately measured alongside the south finish of Folly Beach, the National Weather Service mentioned. A​ gust of 46 mph was noticed on the Marine Air Corps Station in Beaufort. A 40-mph gust was reported at Charleston International Airport.

M​ore than a half dozen roads are already closed due to flooding in Charleston.

(​7:06 a.m. ET) How To Apply For FEMA Help

The quickest solution to apply is thru DisasterAssistance.gov. You may apply by means of the FEMA mobile app or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

FEMA lists the steps to take earlier than you apply for help.​

Take pictures of your broken residence and belongings.

Make an inventory of broken/misplaced gadgets.

Save your self time. If you will have insurance coverage, you need to file a declare along with your insurance coverage firm.

(6:54 a.m. ET) Ian’s Flooding Spread Into Rural Florida

Hurricane Ian’s flooding wasn’t contained to Southwest Florida’s coastal areas. Several areas within the extra rural inland counties additionally have been underwater Thursday.

Water gave the impression to be as much as the roofs of some houses in Hardee County, which was proper in Ian’s path, in keeping with Fox 13.

As the Peace River overflowed, water submerged roads, automobiles and houses in Wauchula.

“It’s kinda devastating, actually. I’m kinda starting to shake a little bit because this is the first time I’ve officially seen all of this,” resident Leslie Miller informed the TV station.

The Sheriff’s Office used boats and high-water autos to rescue folks.

To the south in DeSoto County, the city of Arcadia noticed heavy injury from Ian.

Storefronts have been blown out and water stood within the streets, the New York Times reported.

(​6:33 a.m. ET) Power Outages Starting In Lowcountry

M​ore than 5,000 houses and companies have misplaced energy in South Carolina, in keeping with poweroutage.us. Nearly half of them are in Beaufort County, with one other 1,500 in Horry County, which is residence to Myrtle Beach.

(​6:25 a.m. ET) Buildings Around Sanibel Lighthouse Gone

T​he Sanibel Tower Lighthouse seems to have survived Hurricane Ian, however the buildings surrounding it, which have been constructed when the lighthouse was erected within the Eighties have been washed away.

(​6:23 a.m. ET) Roads Closing in Charleston

A​t least a half dozen roads have already closed in Charleston as Hurricane Ian approaches, according to WCBD.

(​6:10 a.m. ET) Streetlights Fall In Charleston County

T​he Charleston County Sheriff’s Office reported that avenue lamps had blown down on State Highway 165 close to Highway 162 in Hollywood, South Carolina, about 17 miles west of Charleston.

(​6:09 a.m. ET) Roads Flooding on Isle of Palms

(​5:48 a.m. ET) Beaufort Sheriff: Stay Inside On Friday

Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner has requested folks there to remain inside at present as he recalled the consequences Hurricane Matthew had on the South Carolina Coast.

“Refrain from driving on any roads Friday and Friday evening,” Tanner mentioned throughout a news conference. “Reducing the amount of traffic throughout the county makes it easier for us to do our job and it’s safer for you.”

H​e mentioned the possiblity of timber falling and storm surge inflicting flooding.

As of Friday morning, Beaufort County officers had ordered no evacuations.

(​5:37 a.m. ET) Charleston-Area Stores, Malls Close

Stores and malls alongside the South Carolina coast have closed early as Hurricane Ian approaches.

The Citadel Mall and Northwoods Mall close to Charleston have closed along with Walmart, in keeping with the Post and Courier.

Publix introduced it could shut its 16 Charleston-area shops at present.

Walmart additionally closed all areas in Beaufort and Jasper counties.

(5:21 a.m. ET) Over 2 Million Still Without Power

M​ore than 2 million energy outages are being reported in Florida, in keeping with PowerOutage.us. Each outage can symbolize a number of folks on a single account or family.

(​5:18 a.m. ET) At least two folks died in Sarasota County

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two deaths within the county have been associated to Hurricane Ian. It didn’t launch any extra info.

(1​1:16 p.m. ET) Millions Still In The Dark

(​11:12 p.m. ET) Military Aircraft Evacuated From Charleston

I​n preparation for Ian’s arrival in South Carolina, the U.S. navy evacuated aircraft from Joint Base Charleston in North Charleston. Such actions are commonplace process when a hurricane is coming.

(​10:06 p.m. ET) ‘Our Families Have Lost Everything’

M​ichele Reidy, a resident of the city of Iona close to the place Ian got here ashore on Florida’s Southwest Coast, would not know the place her household will reside now.

“I’ve been here 29 years I’ve never seen or experienced anything like this,” Reidy told Live Storms Media today. “Our families have lost everything … It’s all underwater. You can see where the storm surge came in on the walls because there’s a line. It had to have been at least 6 to 8 feet. It’s very sad. I know that there were people screaming for help.”

S​ee and listen to extra of her story right here.

(​9 p.m. ET) 200 Rescued From Orlando Assisted Living Facilities

O​vary County Fire Rescue ferried 200 residents of the Bridge and Life Care assisted residing services to security after heavy rainfall introduced flooding to a number of areas round Orlando. Video posted to social media confirmed first responders serving to residents by means of the water.

(​8:43 p.m. ET) Two Dead On Sanibel Island

T​wo individuals are confirmed lifeless on Sanibel Island, in keeping with a briefing from the city earlier this night. Further particulars weren’t instantly accessible.

M​ayor Holly Smith mentioned 12 folks have been taken off the island at present with accidents. The solely bridge to the island is breached in 5 locations, reducing it off from the mainland. The solely entry is by air and boat.

T​he deaths carry the whole quantity to 4 related to Hurricane Ian within the U.S. A 72-year-old man in Deltona, about 25 miles north of Orlando, died when he apparently fell right into a canal behind his residence in the course of the storm. The loss of life of a 38-year-old man in a visitors crash in Lake County was additionally tied to the climate, in keeping with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

T​wo folks died when the storm hit Cuba.

(​8:17 p.m. ET) Deaths Expected But Total Not Yet Confirmed, Governor Says

“We absolutely expect to have mortality from this hurricane,” Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned in a briefing a short while in the past.

T​he governor mentioned 700 rescues had been carried out, and that quantity was additionally anticipated to rise.

(6​:55 p.m. ET) Charleston Port Operations Suspended

T​he U.S. Coast Guard has ordered all water operations suspended on the Port of Charleston forward of Hurricane Ian’s anticipated landfall in South Carolina tomorrow.

(​6:53 p .m. ET) 73 People Rescued From Orlando Hotel

Rescues are ongoing in components of Central Florida, together with the Orlando space the place t​he Florida National Guard and Orange County Fire Rescue carried 73 residents of an area lodge to security when the constructing was surrounded by water. Crews used boats and excessive water autos to rescue them, WESH-TV reported. Three buses took the residents to shelters within the space.

(6​:41 p.m. ET) More Than 30,000 People Sought Shelter

S​ome 33,000 folks spent final evening in 260 shelters throughout Florida, in keeping with the American Red Cross. The group predicts that quantity may rise as energy outages and different points persist within the coming days. More than 700 Red Cross staff are supporting the help effort.

(​6:29 p.m. ET) How To Help Hurricane Ian Victims In Florida

(​6:15 p.m. ET) Generators Can Be Deadly

Exhaust from mills can result in lethal carbon monoxide poisoning. They ought to by no means be used inside 20 toes of any constructing or enclosed area, together with a storage or carport, and will by no means be refueled whereas operating. Several folks have been killed whereas utilizing mills lately after climate disasters together with hurricanes and winter storms. Always observe the protection guidelines really useful by the producer and the CDC. Also bear in mind to by no means use a grill inside, or sit inside a operating automobile in an enclosed area.

(6​:03 p.m. ET) Storm Surge Bursting Through Condo Door Caught On Camera

Hurricane Ian confirmed the complete energy of water — particularly storm surge — when a door body burst open underneath strain, sending a deluge of flowing water inside a constructing in Naples. It was simply certainly one of many dramatic scenes from the toughest hit areas.

(​5:49 p.m. ET) Hurricane Ian, Again

Ian is a hurricane once more the day after making landfall as certainly one of southwest Florida’s most intense hurricanes on report after which weakening because it moved throughout land. Ian is anticipated to carry life-threatening flooding, storm surge and powerful winds from northeast Florida to the Carolinas.

A​ hurricane warning has been issued for a lot of the coastal Carolinas forward of Friday’s ultimate landfall there.

(​5:38 p.m. ET) Millions Still Without Power

M​ore than 2.6 million energy outages are being reported throughout greater than two dozen counties, from Collier on the southwest coast to Nassau within the far northeast nook of the state. The highest outages by quantity are in Lee County with about 414,000, in keeping with PowerOutage.us. The highest by proportion is in Hardee, the place 99.5% of the county’s 9,545 energy clients are reported to be with out electrical energy.

(​5:05 p.m. ET) Major Airports Closed Until Friday

T​ampa and Orlando worldwide airports will stay closed for yet another day. Tampa will resume operations at 10 a.m. Roadways resulting in the Orlando airport have been flooded this morning and injury assessments are ongoing. A time hasn’t but been set for it to reopen.

(3 p.m. ET) Charleston Mayor: Stay Home On Friday

In Charleston, in South Carolina’s Lowcountry the place Ian is anticipated to strike on Friday, Mayor John Tecklenburg needs the town to close down earlier than the storm arrives.

“There will be water tomorrow in this city,” Tecklenburg mentioned.

Forecasters warn that Charleston and different components of the coast may see 4 to 7 toes of storm surge.

“Take this storm seriously,” Tecklenburg mentioned, in keeping with the Associated Press. “Tomorrow, stay home and stay out of harm’s way.”

The metropolis noticed flooding already on Thursday, and several roads were closed, in keeping with the Post and Courier.

(2:30 p.m. ET) Flights Canceled in Charleston

More than 130 flights out and in of Charleston International Airport have been canceled forward of Ian’s anticipated landfall Friday, in keeping with flight tracker flightaware.com.

The airport runways, that are owned and shared by Charleston Air Force Base, will likely be closed when sustained winds reach 40 mph, the Post and Courier stories.

So far, 71 departing flights and 64 arriving flights at Charleston International have been canceled on Friday.

(​2:09 p.m. ET) ‘Completely Washed Away’

Florida’s Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno informed CNN, “The Fort Myers Beach area, buildings, major, major homes and buildings completely washed away with vehicles in the water, vehicles in the bay, boats are upside down.”

The sheriff additionally posted a video to Twitter of the helicopter tour he took over Lee County on Thursday.

(1:45 p.m. ET) Biden: Ian Could Be Deadliest Hurricane In Florida History

Speaking at FEMA headquarters in Washington Thursday, President Joe Biden mentioned Ian “could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history.”

“It is still moving across the state today,” Biden mentioned. “This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history. The numbers are still unclear but we are hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life.”

It’s doable that the president misspoke. Previous hurricanes that struck the state have killed dozens and even a whole lot of individuals. The Lake Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928 killed at the least 2,500 folks, in keeping with the National Hurricane Center, and the toll might have been as excessive 3,000.

So far, just one loss of life in Florida, a 72-year-old man in Deltona, has been attributed to the storm.

Biden additionally mentioned the federal authorities will cowl 100% of the price Florida incurs for its emergency response efforts.

He mentioned he accredited Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request for expedited main disaster declaration.

“First thing this morning, I talked to Gov. Desantis and again offered the fullest federal support. Earlier this week I approved his request for the pre-landfall emergency declaration to provide direct federal assistance to the state, for emergency protective measures to save lives, including search and rescue and shelter and food. Earlier this morning I approved the governor’s most recent request for expedited major disaster declaration,” Biden mentioned.

He additionally mentioned the federal authorities will cowl the vast majority of the price of rebuilding public buildings, akin to colleges and fireplace stations.

(1:23 p.m. ET) Sand Washing Over A1A In Flagler Beach

Sand is overlaying components of A1A as Tropical Storm Ian drives water out of the Atlantic Ocean and over the freeway, the Daytona Beach News-Journal stories.

Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney texted that the Florida Department of Transportation plans to ship a crew to evaluate the state of affairs. He mentioned police would proceed to watch the state of affairs.

Doughney urged folks to remain off the freeway.

(12:42 p.m. ET) Flagler Neighborhood Residents Urged To Evacuate

Flagler County has urged residents of your entire Woodlands neighborhood – often known as Hurricane Evacuation Zone C – to go away instantly.

“We urge residents within the Woodlands neighborhood to leave the area due to updated expectations of significant flooding of your neighborhood streets, with the potential to impact your home,” Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord mentioned in a Facebook post. “Additionally, as the flooding progresses it is possible that emergency vehicles will no longer have access to your neighborhood.”

A shelter was opened at Rymfire Elementary, at 1425 Rymfire Drive, Palm Coast.

(12:35 p.m. ET) Fort Myers Hospitals Evacuating 1,200 Patients

More than 1,200 sufferers are being evacuated from hospitals throughout the Fort Myers area.

“We have one large health system in Southwest Florida that is without water in all of their facilities. And so they are fast approaching a point where they will not be able to safely take care of their patients. So that is an urgent focus to get those patients transferred,” Mary Mayhew, the president of the Florida Hospital Association, informed the Associated Press.

Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann informed CNN among the Fort Myers patients are coming to her city.

“I will tell you though, our prayers are for those up north. Fort Myers — they’re without water. At least our water and sewer is working,” she mentioned. “They’re having to send patients from Fort Myers to Naples Community Hospital.”

(11:37 a.m. ET) Well-Known St. Augustine Bridge Closes Partially

The eastbound lanes of the Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine have been closed Thursday as the town on Florida’s east coast started to really feel the consequences of Tropical Storm Ian.

Westbound lanes off Anastasia Island have been nonetheless open, in keeping with News 4 Jax.

Water from the Matanzas River, which runs underneath the bridge, was washing over the seawall and dashing by means of downtown.

Earlier, a sailboat that broke free from its moorings started banging towards the seawall.

(10:54 a.m. ET) Hospital Surrounded By Flooding

The metropolis of Kissimmee shared drone video exhibiting floodwaters from Ian surrounding HCA Florida Osceola Hospital.

“We are in the midst of one of the most catastrophic flooding events in the history of the city of Kissimmee,” City Manager Mike Steigerwald mentioned in a Facebook video.

“I’m not telling you that to alarm you, but it’s just the facts. The most important message, that I think is important for everybody to understand, is that it is a dangerous situation out there. There are sections of the city that are impassable; that are underwater.”

(​10:44 a.m. ET) Orlando-Area Flooding: Residents Should Stay Inside

Officials in Orange County, which is residence to Orlando, are asking residents to shelter in place till the flooding from Tropical Storm Ian has declined.

“Wherever they’re, they need to stay put,” Chief Lauraleigh Avery, emergency supervisor for Orange County Government’s Office of Emergency Management, informed FOX 35. “We could have a really rapid amount of rain, a lot of rain coming really fast. We were already expecting 12 to 20 inches of rain. Now we could go up to 30 in some areas.”

O​rlando set a 24-hour rainfall report when 12.49 inches had fallen by means of 8 a.m. Thursday.

(10:36 a.m. ET) Orlando Nursing Home Evacuated

Members of Orange County Fire Rescue evacuated an Orlando nursing residence Thursday morning as floodwaters rose.

The division shared video of first responders pushing Avante residents on stretchers by means of the excessive water.

(​10:28 a.m. ET) Drone Records Damage In Port Charlotte

Drone footage above Port Charlotte reveals simply how unhealthy injury from Hurricane Ian’s Category 4 landfall close to there was. See extra video right here.

(​10:20 a.m. ET) Rescues In Seminole County

Historic flooding in Seminole County has led to a number of rescues this morning.

The Florida National Guard with 10 high-water vans helps with rescues.

Seminole County Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Blake informed the Orlando Sentinel his team has rescued people stranded in automobiles and houses in Winter Springs, Geneva and the Little Wekiva River space.

Alan Harris, director of Seminole’s workplace of emergency administration, informed the Sentinel, “Along the Little Wekiva, we are at an historic point. It’s never been like this before in recorded history.”

(​10:03 a.m. ET) Two Rescued From Sailboat

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office rescued two folks from a sailboat in Fernadina Harbor about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

(​9:51 a.m. ET) First Aerial Images Of Fort Myers Destruction

W​PLG has posted video from a helicopter flying over Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach.

(​9:47 a.m. ET) Lee, Charlotte Counties’ Electric Infrastructure Will Need Rebuilding

Lee and Charlotte counties are mainly “off the grid,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned Thursday morning.

Of the two.6 million energy outages within the state, greater than 1.5 million are in seven Southwest Florida counties.

“Charlotte and Lee reconnects are likely going to have to be rebuilding of that infrastructure…,” DeSantis mentioned. “That’s going to be more than just connecting a power line back to a pole.”

Line crews are on their method there now to start that work, he mentioned.

He additionally mentioned 100 transportable cell towers have been on the best way to assist with communications after Ian broken many present towers.

D​eSantis mentioned he’s asking President Joe Biden to increase the federal disaster declaration to extra counties.

(​9:40 a.m. ET) Coast Guard, National Guard Conducting Rescues

At least 28 helicopters from the Coast Guard and Florida National Guard are conducting rescues in Southwest Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned at a information briefing Thursday morning.

He mentioned the groups began on barrier islands and so they’re additionally areas that had inland flooding. He mentioned extra plane can be arriving quickly.

(​9:38 a.m. ET) Hospitals Evacuated

F​lorida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned the state is working with hospitals which were on generator energy for hours now.

He mentioned sufferers at two hospitals have been being evacuated to areas farther north.

E​arlier at present, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell mentioned water provide to 9 Lee County hospitals had been disrupted.

“We know that there is nine hospitals in Lee County that the state is looking at right now to determine whether or not we’re going to be able to get the water restored to them or whether or not they are going to have to be evacuated,” she mentioned.

(9:14 a.m.) Historic Pier Destroyed

Hurricane Ian destroyed the Naples Pier, a high vacationer vacation spot, Collier County Commissioner Penny Taylor informed the Associated Press.

The storm despatched waves of at the least 20 toes over the historic construction, mentioned Penny Taylor, a fee in Collier County.

“Right now, there is no pier,” Taylor mentioned, including that even the piers had been ripped out.

(8:53 a.m. ET) Mayor Describes Major Damage In Fort Myers

Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson told CNN there’s lots of injury in his metropolis.

“We have several businesses that have been damaged by the rising water, the flood. It going to be a long recovery for those businesses, I can tell you. I’m looking at the post office and the water line looks to be about four feet high on the outside of the building.”

He requested residents to stay inside and let crews get roads cleared and energy and water restored.

(8:46 a.m. ET) Coast Guard Pulling People Off Roofs

Coast Guard groups have been rescuing folks trapped on their roofs by Hurricane Ian, Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, a U.S. Coast Guard commander, told CNN.

“We didn’t even wait for the passage of the storm last night, we had helicopters in the air. We rescued 13 people along the coast between Fort Myers and St. Petersburg,” he mentioned.

“We at the moment have an plane within the air with the Florida National Guard actively pulling folks off of roofs in Fort Myers,” he added.

(​8:45 a.m. ET) Lee County Hardest Hit, Catastrophic Damage

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has told CNN that Lee County, home to Fort Myers, was the area hit hardest by Hurricane Ian. And she expects the damage is going to be catastrophic.

“The area that has been hit the hardest — certainly from what we’re hearing right now — is Lee County,” Criswell said. “We know that there was significant storm surge there. We know that their water system has been impacted, and we’re focused right now on getting some search and rescue teams, who have been out since 4:00 this morning, to get into that area and identify who might need assistance, who might need to get rescued.”

She said she couldn’t quantify the amount of damage, “But I can tell you that it is going to be catastrophic. The amount of impact to these communities is going to be significant.”

Later Criswell told MSNBC the water supply to nine Lee County hospitals had been disrupted.

“We know that there is nine hospitals in Lee County that the state is looking at right now to determine whether or not we’re going to be able to get the water restored to them or whether or not they are going to have to be evacuated,” she said.

E​arlier on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno mentioned the county has had some deaths however he did not know the precise quantity.

“We nonetheless can’t entry most of the folks which are in want,” Marceno said. “It’s an actual, actual tough street forward.”

(​8:39 a.m. ET) Man Drowns While Draining Pool During Storm

A man who went out to drain his pool during Hurricane Ian drowned in a canal behind his house, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The 72-year-old man went outside his home in Deltona, about 25 miles north of Orlando, about 1 a.m. Thursday. His wife called 911 when he didn’t come back inside.

“While looking for him, deputies discovered his flashlight, then noticed the sufferer unresponsive in a canal behind the house,” the news release said.

He appeared to have been using a hose to drain the pool down a hill and into a 30-foot-wide canal, where a steep decline into the water was extremely soft and slippery because of the heavy rain.

Deputies performed CPR, but the victim, whose name has not been released, could not be revived.

(8:23 a.m. ET) Roads Clearing On Marco Island

Most of the roads on Marco Island, off the coast south of Naples, are no longer flooded, the Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Teams are working to removes vehicles that stalled in the middle of roads during the flooding, the Public Works department worked through the night removing trees from roadways.

Utilities are still out and cell phone coverage is intermittent, the post said.

(8:22 a.m. ET) Power Outages Top 2.5 million

Nearly 2.6 million power outages are being reported in Florida, from the Southwest coast where Ian came ashore, up and across the state to areas around Daytona Beach on the state’s Atlantic Coast, according to PowerOutage.us. Each outage can represent several people in a household or building, or a business or shared utility account.

(​8:07 a.m. ET) Flooding Outside Disney Hotel

A​ video shows how the heavy rain from Hurricane Ian caused flooding outside the Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort. The water appears to be several inches deep.

(​7:28 a.m. ET) Biden Signs Disaster Declaration

President Joe Biden has signed a major disaster declaration for Florida.

The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

(​7:14 a.m. ET) Flights Canceled

Jacksonville International Airport has announced it is not operating today and all flights are canceled. Flights remain canceled at Tampa International and Orlando International. Nearly 2,000 flights have been canceled today, according to flight tracker flightaware.com.

(​7:04 a.m. ET) Not Safe To Assess Damage

In Charlotte County, north of Fort Myers, officials say they have not been able to get out and assess the damage left by Hurricane Ian.

“The inundation of water, excessive wind circumstances and particles within the roadways and waterways have made it troublesome to do this safely,” a Facebook post said.

T​he post also said many cell phone towers were down, and restoring communications is a priority. It also encouraged people who had evacuated to remain where they are.

“The roads are extraordinarily harmful with many unknown hazards,” the post said.

(​6:52 a.m. ET) Theater Heavily Damaged

T​he Venice Theater, a community theater in Venice, Florida, has been severely damaged by Ian. The city posted an image showing a large part of the building ripped away.

(​6:40 a.m. ET) 500 Calls Waiting

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said deputies have been responding to calls for help, but there is a backlog.

“Patrol deputies resumed operation just a few hours in the past and are responding to the very best precedence calls which are nonetheless in queue. Collectively, there are greater than 500 requires service associated to legislation and fireplace providers that we have to deal with,” the workplace mentioned in a Facebook publish.

(6:36 a.m. ET) When The Waters Rushed In

Chief Pete DiMaria of the Naples Fire-Rescue division says it was “just a little unnerving” to find 4 to 7 feet of storm surge washing into their fire station on Wednesday.

“It was a little unnerving to be honest,” DiMaria told CNN. “We felt like we had situated ourselves with a good plan, but the water rose up so quickly on us, we kind of retreated back into the station. (…) But it was unnerving because we couldn’t get out of the station and we had some rescues to make and it just became a difficult situation for our personnel to get out there and do their jobs.”

The water eventually retreated and rescues resumed.

DiMaria says communication is difficult because Ian knocked down many cell phone towers.

(​6:23 a.m. ET) Roads Blocked In Sarasota

T​he Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office says it appears most of the county’s damage is south of Venice Boulevard.

“There are nonetheless a number of street obstructions together with fallen timber and particles, standing water, and downed energy traces,” according to a Twitter post.

(​6:19 a.m. ET) Water Standing In Streets, Windows Blown Out

I​n downtown Fort Myers, shin-high water filled streets near the federal courthouse early Thursday, and store-front windows were blown out, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

(​6:17 a.m. ET) Sanibel Island Is Cut Off

It’s impossible to get to Sanibel island by car this morning.

McGregor Boulevard is “is folded up like an accordion, ripped to ribbons by a powerful storm surge,” the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A little farther along, a section of the Sanibel Causeway, where the bridge rises from the mainland to the island, has collapsed.

(​6:06 a.m. ET) Searching Through The Night

The Estero Fire Rescue department in Lee County shared this image on its Facebook page.

“Tonight, EFR crews have been doing their greatest to clear streets and get to the requires assist that we could not reply in the course of the storm. We started clearing roadways and evacuating people who wanted assist,” the post said.

“Please assist us by staying off the roadways. We will likely be getting assist from a number of companies tomorrow and all through restoration and so they want to verify the roads are secure, timber are eliminated and wired aren’t down. It remains to be very harmful on the market.”

(5:57 a.m. ET) 20 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks

As of early Thursday, no deaths have been reported in the United States from Ian, but a boat carrying Cuban migrants sank Wednesday east of Key West, the Associated Press reports.

The U.S. Coast Guard began a search for 23 people and found three survivors about two miles south of the Florida Keys, officials said. Four other Cubans swam to Stock Island, just east of Key West, the U.S. Border Patrol said. Air crews continued to search for possibly 20 remaining migrants.

The storm previously tore into Cuba, killing two people and bringing down the country’s electrical grid.

(​5:43 a.m. ET) Hospital Swamped, Roof Torn Off ICU

As H​urricane Ian ripped off part of the fourth floor roof ICU at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte on Wednesday, storm surge flooded into the hospital’s first floor emergency room.

Staff members had to evacuate the intensive care patients to other floors, the Associated Press reported. Other staffers used towels and plastic bins to try to get up the floodwater.

Dr. Birgit Bodine said, “The ambulances could also be coming quickly and we don’t know the place to place them within the hospital at this level as a result of we’re doubled and tripled up.”

She mentioned sufferers have been principally understanding and upbeat.

“For us, as much as everything is terrible and we’re exhausted … as long as our patients do OK and nobody ends up dying or having a bad outcome, that’s what matters,” Bodine mentioned.

(​5:33 a.m. ET) Flooding Knocks TV News Broadcast Off Air

S​torm surge and a lack of energy knocked a Fort Myers TV station’s newscast off the air.

WINK mentioned it lost power at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“We are like everybody else,” mentioned Tom Doerr, director of native information and content material at WINK News. “We are experiencing the same difficulties like everybody else.”

T​he station’s chief meteorologist Matt Devitt posted on Facebook, “Storm surge got into WINK, flooded out our entire set and newsroom in Fort Myers. Lost power and I was unable to continue broadcasting on tv and radio.”

(​5:15 a.m. ET) Trapped People Awaiting Rescue

Ian’s storm surge trapped folks of their homes in Collier County, residence to Naples, o​fficials mentioned in a Facebook post.

“Here’s some tough news you need to know. We aren’t holding back,” the publish mentioned.

Some of the callers have been “reporting life threatening medical emergencies in deep water. We will get to them first,” the publish mentioned.

O​thers, who mentioned water was getting into their houses, must wait, the publish mentioned. For a time, neighboring Lee County’s 911 system was down and people calls have been going to Collier County, too.

“You can’t even imagine those calls,” it mentioned.

(5:05 a.m. ET) Power Outages Top 2.5 million

M​ore than 2.5 million energy outages are being reported in Florida, from the Southwest coast the place Ian got here ashore, up and throughout the state to areas round Daytona Beach on the state’s Atlantic Coast, in keeping with PowerOutage.us. Each outage can symbolize a number of folks in a family or constructing, or a enterprise or shared utility account.

(​5 a.m. ET) Ian Causes Flooding In Orlando

I​n the center of the state, Ian dumped record-smashing rain. The Orlando metro space noticed practically a foot of rain from 4 a.m. Wednesday till 4 a.m. Thursday.

Flash flood warnings have been issued for components of Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Volusia counties.

D​ave Puglisi, a reporter for Fox 35 in Orlando, tweeted a photograph of an ambulance caught on a flooded Orlando avenue.

“Crews are moving through waist to chest deep water trying to get to the ambulance,” Puglisi mentioned.

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