Hurricane Ian: Revived storm pounds South Carolina as death toll rises to 27
Flooding continued in central Florida as storm barrelled through state before gathering strength
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A revived Hurricane Ian battered South Carolina, bringing heavy rains and flooded streets as the death toll in the US from one of its costliest storms climbed to 27.
The storm barrelled through western Cuba and raked across Florida before gathering strength in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean to curve back and strike South Carolina.
While the storm was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone earlier on Friday, the agency warned river flooding will continue through next week across central Florida. Meanwhile, president Joe Biden has issued an emergency declaration for South Carolina.
The storm hit Florida as one of the most powerful hurricanes in the state’s history, with wind speeds nearly reaching Category 5.
Nearly 2 million people in Florida were left without power – and economic losses could amount to $120bn, according to an estimate.
Hurricane Ian ‘acclerating’ toward South Carolina
The National Hurricane Centre said that Hurricane Ian is “accelerating” its path toward land as South Carolinians brace for the storm’s third landfall.
The hurricane was about 60 miles (95 kilometres) southeast of Charleston and moving northward at 14 miles per hour (22 kilometres per hour), according to the agency’s 11 AM update.
Wind speeds were measuring up to 85 mph (140 kph). Storm surge along the coast is expected to reach up to seven feet (2.1 metres) in some places, as heavy rain batters parts of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.
Charleston has essentially shut down for the day, with some streets already flooding by early morning.
Hurricane force winds ‘imminent’ in South Carolina
Hurricane-force winds, meaning 74 miles per hour (119 kilometres per hour), are “imminent” in South Carolina, the National Hurricane Centre said in a Friday video update.
Storm surge is expected to occur now and into the next few hours, they add.
Most of North Carolina at flood risk
A vast swath of North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as a large part of Virginia, faces serious flood risk on Friday and Saturday as up to eight inches (18 centimetres) of rain falls from Hurricane Ian, the National Hurricane Centre said.
People in low-lying areas across the region should remain on alert.
Protests in Havana after Hurricane Ian causes islandwide blackout
Before hitting Florida, Hurricane Ian smacked in western Cuba, leaving the entire island in the dark.
Power has been restored to parts of the country, but an Associated Press reporter witnessed some small protests break out in Havana demanding a return for electricity. About 400 people were spotted chanting “We want light, we want light” while banging pots and pans.
By Thursday, only about 10 per cent of people in Havana had had power restored, AP adds.
Hurricane Ian killed at least three people in Cuba.
Read more:
Protests in Havana after Hurricane Ian causes islandwide blackout
A few hundred Cubans have taken to the streets in Havana demanding the restoration of electricity, protesting more than two days after a blackout hit the entire island following the passage of Hurricane Ian
World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals in southwest Florida
World Central Kitchen, the non-profit founded by chef José Andrés, will be providing hot meals in Port Charlotte, Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida on Friday.
These areas face the brunt of Hurricane Ian’s wrath, and remain largely without power – or, in some places, without running water – two days after landfall.
Death toll continues to climb after sheriff predicts hundreds of lives lost
As crews and first responders survey the damage from Hurricane Ian, the number of casualties continues to rise.
Florida officials said on Friday that there were 21 deaths – one confirmed and 20 unconfirmed – in Polk, Charlotte and Collier counties. Lee County had previously reported at least five deaths.
Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties were in the direct path of Ian’s landfall on the Gulf Coast Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriffs in Volusia County on the Atlantic Coast have reported at least two deaths from the storm as well.
Read more:
Hurricane Ian death toll continues to climb
There are 20 deaths that have not yet been confirmed to be Ian-related
Radar shows heavy rain coming into Charleston
The National Weather Service office in Charleston, South Carolina is reporting a band of intense rainfall coming onshore in the state as Hurricane Ian arrives.
Wind gusts have likely reached at least 75 miles per hour (121 kilometres per hour), they add, meaning hurricane-force winds.
“Prep for flooding/wind damage!”
President Biden speaks with South Carolina governor on Friday
The White House reports that President Biden spoke on the phone with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster on Friday morning as the state prepares for the brunt of Hurricane Ian.
“The President told the Governor that the Administration is here to provide whatever assistance the people of South Carolina need, and asked the Governor to stay in touch,” the White House said.
Mr Biden had issued an emergency declaration for the state on Thursday night, in anticipation of the storm’s arrival. Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall in South Carolina as a Category 1 storm on Friday afternoon, with hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall and flooding already beginning along the coast.
Early impacts of the storm in Charleston
Photos from Charleston taken this morning show some of the initial flooding, rain and boarded-up businesses downtown.
The city has shut down as Hurricane Ian hits today.
Hurricane Ian landfall ‘imminent’
Hurricane Ian’s landfall is imminent in South Carolina, a National Weather Service spokesperson said at a press conference on Friday.
Hurricane-force winds have begun along the coast, including in Charleston. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected over a large swath of the region.
Coastlines are seeing storm surges, especially in central and northern parts of the South Carolina coast, expected to last through the afternoon and into the evening.
Coastal roadways become temporarily impassable, he said.
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