Hurricane Ian: Waves flood roads in Key West as storm strengthens to Category 4
After spending most of Thursday as a tropical storm, Ian has been upgraded to a hurricane once again as it targets the South Carolina coast.
The National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. ET update that Hurricane Ian was “targeting Carolina and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge and strong winds.”
The hurricane is now moving from north to northwest at about 10 mph with maximum sustained winds increasing to 75 mph with strong gusts.
“Ian could strengthen a bit before making landfall tomorrow, and is expected to weaken rapidly over the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday,” the warning said.
Dozens of rescues are underway across Florida after unprecedented flooding from one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the United States.
Thousands were stranded across the state as Coast Guard helicopters were seen pulling people off rooftops after water poured several feet into nearby neighborhoods. About 2.5 million people currently live without electricity.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the hurricane as a “500-year flood event” and said major infrastructure was badly damaged including the Sanibel Bridge in southwest Florida and the bridge to Pine Island, near Fort Myers.
President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Florida in the wake of the catastrophic effects. “This may be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” he later said during a briefing at FEMA headquarters.
Latest photos of the devastation in Florida from Ian
In an aerial view, the damaged Fort Myers Beach pier and surrounding buildings are seen after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
(Getty Images)
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 22:31
Upgrade Ian to Hurricane again
After spending most of Thursday as a tropical storm, Ian was upgraded to a hurricane again.
The National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. ET update that Hurricane Ian was “targeting Carolina and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge and strong winds.”
The hurricane is now moving from north to northwest at about 10 mph with maximum sustained winds increasing to 75 mph with strong gusts.
“Ian could strengthen a bit before making landfall tomorrow, and is expected to weaken rapidly over the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday,” the warning said.
tornado # Ian Consultation 29: Ian turns into a hurricane again. Carolina and Georgia targeted with life-threatening floods, storms and strong winds. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
– National Hurricane Center (NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2022
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 22:21
The FCC says Ian destroyed more than 1,500 mobile phone sites in Florida
That number represents about 11 percent of cellular locations in the state, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Lee County, where Hurricane Ian made landfall on Wednesday, reported that 65 percent of cell sites had caused the storm.
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 22:20
Charleston, South Carolina residents told to stay home as Hurricane Ian heads into town: ‘Take this storm seriously’
The storm can bring up to seven feet of storm surge to the South Carolina coast.
Charleston residents asked to stay home as Hurricane Ian headed for the city
The storm can bring up to seven feet of storm surge to the South Carolina coast
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 22:10
Disney World in Orlando is set to reopen on Friday
The Walt Disney Company says it will confirm exact opening hours later Thursday.
“While theme parks and many operating areas remain closed to guests today, we expect weather conditions to improve this evening,” the company said in a statement Thursday.
“The Walt Disney World Resort will resume theme park and Disney Springs operations in a phased fashion beginning Friday, September 30.”
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 21:58
A city official says recovery in Naples could take a week or even months
Jay Bodeshwar, city manager, said Naples had seen extensive damage, and a conservative estimate of the total damage was more than $200 million.
Mr. Bodheshwar said the damage to city property alone is estimated at $20 million.
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 21:50
Firefighters evacuate a nursing home in Orlando as Storm Ian destroys Florida
Firefighters evacuate a nursing home in Orlando as Storm Ian destroys Florida
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 21:41
Aerial climate images capture the devastation of Hurricane Ian on the Florida coast
Thousands are stranded in Florida while more than 2.6 million people are without electricity. It downgraded Ian to a tropical storm — but forecasters warn the danger hasn’t passed.
Aerial images capture the devastation of Hurricane Ian on the Florida coast
Thousands are stranded in Florida while more than 2.6 million people are without electricity. Ian downgraded to a tropical storm – but forecasters warn the danger hasn’t passed
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 21:16
Ian destroyed the pier of Fort Myers
The extent of Hurricane Ian’s damage can be seen in a before-and-after photo of the Fort Myers pier that Weather.com’s Sean Breslin posted on social media.
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 20:52
Elon Musk pulled for using the Hurricane Ian massacre to promote a ‘waterproof’ Tesla Cybertruck
One wrote in response to the billionaire’s claim: “You just say literally anything to grab attention and cash in on the headlines.”
We have the story Bevan Hurley.
Elon Musk dragged for using the Hurricane Ian massacre to promote the Tesla Cybertruck
One wrote in response to Musk’s claim: ‘You just say literally anything to grab attention and cash in on the headlines’.
Graeme MasseySeptember 29, 2022 20:41
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