Fort Myers has staged a citywide 6pm curfew following a number of reviews of looters focusing on native companies left savaged in Hurricane Ian’s aftermath – as Floridians proceed to survey the extent of the harm accomplished by one of many strongest storms in US historical past.
The impacts of Ian, made landfall within the beachside metropolis as a Class 4 hurricane early Wednesday, has left officers to scrambling to handle in depth infrastructure harm and sure deaths, finishing up 700 confirmed rescues, Governor Ron DeSantis revealed throughout a 7:30 pm press replace Thursday.
The chaos has since additionally sparked looting, officers in Lee County revealed, end result within the activation of a county-wide curfew – which can impact greater than 413,000 residents.
The reported incidents overtly defied warnings from lawmen throughout the county that ‘looting and violence’ within the aftermath would ‘not be tolerated’ as flooding died down Thursday.
Chatting with reporters Wednesday night, Lee County Supervisor Roger Dejarlais ordered the curfew for all cities together with Fort Myers in his jurisdiction, the place the brunt of the hurricane was felt earlier than it moved northeast to communities equivalent to Orlando and Jacksonville.
The tackle noticed the official warn potential offenders of ‘a zero tolerance coverage for looting and violence’ – which he mentioned will keep in place ’till additional discover.’
The county head mentioned there shall be some exceptions to the order – together with these pertaining to work, well being care, grocery buying, or faculty – whereas additionally stressing that looting and violence within the storm’s wake wouldn’t be tolerated.
Staggering earlier than and after images, in the meantime present the extent of the destruction in county seat Fort Myers brought on by Ian – leaving the door open for such vandals to capitalize on the unrest and switch a revenue.
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Chatting with reporters Wednesday night, Lee County Supervisor Roger Dejarlais ordered the curfew for all cities together with Fort Myers in his jurisdiction, the place the brunt of the hurricane was felt, after receiving reviews of looting within the county seat
BEFORE AND AFTER: The pilings from Fort Myers Seaside pier are all which might be left after Hurricane Ian handed via metropolis Wednesday – one set of a number of staggering earlier than and after images that present the extent of the destruction in brought on by Ian – leaving the door open for such vandals to capitalize on the unrest and switch a revenue
Eerie aerial footage present the destruction to Fort Myers from Hurricane Ian after the ‘superstorm’ ripped its beloved pier from its hinges
Earlier than and after pictures confirmed the devastation to the small coastal metropolis, with properties leveled, ships swept on to land and fires breaking out via ghost city neighborhoods
The intense harm will be seen in aerial pictures, with properties swept in direction of the water in Fort Myers as bushes and buildings lay damaged
Aerial pictures present the extent of devastation brought on by Hurricane Ian, as cell properties and different much less safe buildings will be seen strewn throughout the floodwater in Fort Myers
‘Our group has been, in some respects, decimated,’ DesJarlais mentioned throughout a late-night briefing Wednesday on the Lee County Emergency Operations Middle because the storm was nonetheless raging.
He added that the town’s Sanibel Island was additionally rocked by the ‘historic’ hurricane, with homes overwhelmed by water, particles flung via home windows and a few even ripped from their hinges by flooding.
‘There’s large harm on Sanibel and Fort Myers Seaside,’ the official mentioned.
The county head added that officers weren’t but conscious of ‘the complete extent of the harm’ to the county, as officers proceed to seek for lots of reported lacking and feared useless.
The official went on to announce the night curfew for residents, after revealing that amid the chaos of Ian, looting and different crimes had been already begun within the county.
‘Earlier right now, when legislation enforcement was unable to reply due to climate situations… there was a break-in on Cleveland Avenue,’ DesJarlais mentioned of 1 such reported occasion close to the town’s middle and the then overflowed Caloosahatchee River
‘Earlier right now, when legislation enforcement was unable to reply due to climate situations, it was unsafe, there was a break-in on Cleveland Avenue and there was looting,’ Lee County Supervisor Roger DesJarlais mentioned throughout a press convention.
‘There was looting and there was a bunch of individuals, do not know lots about it but, who simply had their manner.’
The official added that authorities believed that the focused enterprise was a fuel station , prompting a request from the town to order the curfew. After talks with Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, DesJarlais obliged, issuing the order that night after talking with county and metropolis officers about enacting the curfew.
The tackle additionally noticed Lee County public security director Ben Abes (middle) reveal that officers are receiving and monitoring 9-1-1 calls from residents, equivalent to these stranded by excessive water and storm surge
DesJarlais mentioned the curfew can be in place indefinitely, ’till additional discover,’ however talked about a possible 48-hour restrict.
The curfew contains unincorporated Lee County and all cities aside from Estero right now, he mentioned, as Estero officers couldn’t be reached. The town, which is simply tot he south of Fort Myers, reportedly skilled related flooding and hurricane drive winds because it neighbors.
DesJarlais was additionally requested about deaths in his county – to which he mentioned that 5 in his county have to this point been confirmed.
In close by Charlotte, Volusia, Sarasota, and Lake counties, an additional 12 casualties have been reported – a quantity that’s anticipated to swell within the coming days as officers sift via the carnage.
Lee County, which incorporates cities equivalent to Fort Myers and Cape Coral, noticed devastating impacts from the now Class 1 storm, which downgraded to a tropical storm after pummeling a lot of the southwest and central components of the state earlier than intensifying over the Atlantic Thursday afternoon.
It’s now forecast to make a 3rd landfall – its second within the US – in South Carolina Friday morning, in addition to neighboring Georgia and North Carolina, as greater than 2.6million Floridians stay with out energy, DeSantis mentioned Thursday.
Throughout a separate press convention on Wednesday, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno warned residents about looting and different potential violence that will emerge as the town seeks to get better following the widespread destruction.
‘A message that is very clear for any of these people that suppose they’re gonna go on the market and loot or prey on folks throughout this horrific occasion,’ Marceno mentioned. ‘You higher suppose twice. Once I say zero tolerance, zero tolerance means we are going to hunt you down, observe you down and you are going to jail in the event you’re fortunate.’
Badly battered Collier County, in the meantime, which can also be in southwest Florida and is house to the town of Naples, has since additionally declared a curfew till additional discover, put into place Thursday night time at 10 pm to six am, the county’s sheriff’s division mentioned in a press release.
‘The aim of the curfew is to guard the protection of the residents of Collier County and their property as they start the method of recovering from the consequences of Hurricane Ian,’ the announcement learn,
The county, which skilled main flooding and damages on Wednesday, is house to greater than 385,000.
Numerous boats have been left partially submerged at a marina within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in beachside Fort Myers
Horrifying footage present the extent of devastation in Fort Myers with boats normally within the marina being compelled onto the shore amid damaged palm bushes and broken infrastructures
Folks look on at destroyed boats after Hurricane Ian swept via on the Centennial Park in Fort Myers
Houses in Fort Myers have been on fireplace on Thursday morning as the world continues to be devastated within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian
Houses in Fort Myers have been decimated by the storm, with a number of properties being washed away and crashing into different buildings
Lee County officers, in the meantime, mentioned they’re receiving and monitoring 9-1-1 calls from residents, equivalent to these stranded by excessive water and storm surge, mentioned Lee County public security director Ben Abes.
‘Please know that we’re with you,’ mentioned Lee County public security director Ben Abes. ‘We’re all a part of our group. Our family members are right here. Our properties are right here, and we’re right here and we’re going to get via this collectively.’
Eerie aerial footage present the full destruction of Fort Myers from Hurricane Ian after the ‘superstorm’ ripped its beloved pier from its hinges.
Earlier than and after pictures captured the devastation to the small Florida metropolis, with properties leveled, ships swept on to land and fires breaking out via ghost city neighborhoods.
The ocean lastly appeared to have ebbed again from the shoreline to disclose the devastation to the as soon as tropical paradise, with bushes yanked from their roots and roofs shed from eating places alongside the promenade.
In the meantime helicopter photos confirmed buildings throughout the town splattered with holes the place particles was flung by the storm.
It comes as Ron DeSantis mentioned the tsunami-like flooding was a ‘as soon as in a 500-year’ occasion and revealed it has left 2.7million with out energy throughout his state.
In a press convention on Thursday night, DeSantis mentioned that Florida had ‘by no means seen a flood occasion of this magnitude.’
He added that each Lee and Charlotte County are in ‘troublesome conditions’ and ‘off the grid’ after being the toughest hit, and restoration efforts there’ll give attention to rebuilding communication and rescuing these in want.
‘We completely anticipate to have mortality from the its hurricane,’ he mentioned, after revealing that officers have to this point carried out greater than 700 confirmed rescues, as an rising quantity of residents exit their properties to survey the harm – with some sadly benefiting from the unrest.
ORLANDO: Pictures present the extent of such flooding in Orlando, the place first responders braved overflowed streets in seven ft of water to rescue residents left stranded
A person carries a can of gasoline to his house in Orlando after the central metropolis was left flooded by heavy rains from Hurricane Ian
Deserted automobiles littered the flooded streets of Orlando Wednesday night, leaving a number of commuters stranded on roads
Some residents within the closely populated metropolis deployed boats to survey the harm accomplished to their neighborhoods. Pictured are two such intrepid residents, astounded by an nearly totally submerged Corvette
A stalled automotive is proven on a flooded road after Hurricane Ian brought on harm and flooding in Orlando. Officers have warned residents in stricken cities towards braving nonetheless flooded streets as to not sluggish officers rescue efforts
Residents are pictured traversing still-overflowed streets in Orlando, the place water ranges have been nonetheless as much as their knees by morning
Some Orlando residents elected to benefit from their present state of affairs, taking to the water to wakeboard and have interaction in different aquatic actions
Roadways within the Central Florida metropolis remained hopelessly broken and unpassable on Thursday, because it did in different cities alongside the state’s southwest coast, the place the brunt of the storm was felt
Boys skim board on a flooded road within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando Thursday morning. Officers have warned residents towards such actions
A police automotive blocks off a flooded road within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando on Thursday. the storm has since handed Florida and is poised to make a second US landfall alongside the Carolinas and Georgia
Parks and different public areas like this one in downtown Florida have remained closed within the wake of the catastrophe, which has been labeled one of many worst in state historical past
A rescue official in Orlando is pictured pulling a canine from the flooding on Thursday. Greater than 700 rescue operations have taken place because the storm made landfall Wednesday
It’s anticipated to choose up extra steam earlier than making its second landfall within the Carolinas and Georgia, which have all declared states of emergencies for his or her respective states after seeing the destruction of their neighbor to the south.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is urging residents to organize to be hit onerous by Ian, warning them of the ‘harmful unpredictability’ of the storm which continues to vary course.
He additionally warned of potential energy outages and confirmed that he has activated members of the state’s Nationwide Guard, including: ‘So, for North Carolinians, I need to be clear, this storm can nonetheless be harmful and even lethal.
‘Heavy rains, as much as seven inches in some areas, are prone to deliver flooding. Landslides are a menace in our mountains and there’s an opportunity of tornados state-wide.’
He has since enlisted goal from the federal authorities, with Biden administration offering 50 Nationwide Guard helicopters to seek for survivors and rescue the 1000’s nonetheless stranded, lacking or caught of their properties following in depth harm from the torrent of water and 155mph winds.
Seventeen are confirmed to have been killed on account of the storm, in keeping with county officers’ depend.
Many emerged from their bunkers on Thursday morning to witness the devastation to their communities, with some bursting into tears on the sight of their belongings destroyed.
Lee County’s Sheriff has additionally mentioned was one of many worst pure disasters since Katrina with lots of useless, however he later tempered his feedback after DeSantis and FEMA insisted the dying toll shouldn’t be identified.
But he didn’t row again on the claims, merely saying they have been preliminary, as he additionally warned that ‘looting and violence’ within the aftermath wouldn’t be tolerated.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is urging residents to organize to be hit onerous by Ian, warning them of the ‘harmful unpredictability’ of the storm which continues to vary course.
BONITA SPRINGS: A Plymouth automobile was turned the wrong way up outdoors of a luxurious beachside property which was badly affected by the storm
BONITA SPRINGS: Property in Bonita Springs, near Naples, have been broken by storm surges with holes within the partitions
SANIBEL ISLAND: A navy Chinook landed on Sanibel seashore within the wake of the hurricane in spite of everything bridges to and from the island have been destroyed
SANIBEL ISLAND: A fireplace broke out on a number of properties throughout Sanibel Island as emergency providers battled to guard the properties
SANIBEL ISLAND: A bit of the Sanibel Causeway was misplaced because of the results of Hurricane Ian, and it’s unclear when repairs will start
President Biden has claimed that Hurricane Ian might be the ‘deadliest’ Florida has ever seen with a ‘substantial lack of life’
Residents in Fort Myers have been met with scenes of devastation after they have been in a position to get to the decrease flooring of their properties, which have been left in chaos after floodwater swept via
Sanibel Island has been partially destroyed by Hurricane Ian, with the favored vacationer resort struggling devastating blows
Properties in Fort Myers are on fireplace as different residents have been confronted with a ship outdoors their house on the street which had been pushed out of the marina by the hurricane
Autos are nonetheless attempting to make their manner via the stagnant water left from the flooding brought on by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers
Particles has gathered in a lake close to broken properties in Fort Myers, Florida, being pushed to at least one aspect by the 155mph storm winds
Good Samaritans are seen in Orange County attempting to maintain kids from wading via the flash floodwater as Hurricane Ian continues to cross the state
A bit of the Sanibel Causeway was knocked out by Hurricane Ian, leaving the inhabitants of 6,300 residents stranded within the aftermath of the killer storm as it’s the solely manner on or off the island
The causeway was abandoned as authorities attempt to assess the extent of harm to the bridge, earlier than with the ability to transport help and meals to the island
Shawn Hulbert, 38, stands outdoors his broken house within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Punta Gorda, Florida
President Biden spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis early on Thursday morning after pledging federal help to 9 counties
He additionally warned of potential energy outages and confirmed that he has activated members of the state’s Nationwide Guard, including: ‘So, for North Carolinians, I need to be clear, this storm can nonetheless be harmful and even lethal.
‘Heavy rains, as much as seven inches in some areas, are prone to deliver flooding. Landslides are a menace in our mountains and there is a likelihood of tornados state-wide.’
Ian blasted ashore with catastrophic drive on Wednesday afternoon as a Class 4 storm, however has since been downgraded to a tropical storm by the Nationwide Hurricane Middle in an replace early on Thursday.
Specialists expect the damages to price as much as $260billion, although the clean-up efforts are presently unable to get underway as swathes of Florida stay underwater.
Sanibel Island has been minimize off from the mainland after the Causeway Bridge collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico because of the drive of the tempest.
Ian is presently round 35 miles southwest of Cape Canaveral, with most speeds of 65mph, and is shifting northeast at round 8mph.
Talking at a press convention at FEMA’s HQ, President Biden mentioned: ‘It’s nonetheless shifting throughout the state right now. This might be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s historical past.’
The president added: ‘The numbers are nonetheless unclear however we’re listening to early reviews of what could also be substantial lack of life.’
Earlier he declared it a ‘main catastrophe’ and freed up funds to assist these with out energy and lots of of 1000’s whose properties have been leveled.
The President additionally confirmed he was in ‘shut coordination’ with the Florida governor after a telephone name early on Thursday morning.
The monster storm continues to rage throughout the US as:
- A number of climate warnings are in place throughout Orlando, as flash flooding continues to ravage central Florida;
- Six inches of rain might fall in southern Virginia because the storm strikes inland over in direction of the Carolinas;
- The NHC has warned that landslides have been doable within the southern Appalachian mountains on Friday;
- Two folks have died, probably because of this from the storm, however their causes of dying are nonetheless unconfirmed.
Flamingos have been evacuated to the lavatory at Sunken Gardens, St Pete, in Florida, on Wednesday after Hurricane Ian made landfall
A horse and a foal in addition to canines are stored in a front room of a home north of Tampa as house owners took drastic measures to make sure their animals stayed secure
Footage exhibits automobiles struggling to make their manner via the floodwater, as bushes lay strewn throughout the highway as aerial footage present the extent of the harm
Jackie Pelton walks round her house that was destroyed after flood waters inundated the constructing and brought on the primary flooring to be swallowed
Search and rescue groups began serving to households flee the waterlogged areas of Kissimmee, Florida
A toddler carries a broken plant from their house as an grownup watches on, taking within the chaos brought on by the hurricane in Punta Gorda
Orlando authorities transported an individual out of the Avante nursing house amid heavy flooding in central Florida
Although it isn’t clear precisely what brought on the fires to interrupt out, it might have been sparked by broken energy cables, lightning or turbines being destroyed by the storm
Dozens of broken boats will be seen strewn throughout downtown Fort Myers within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, with many piled up on high of one another
Ian blasted ashore with catastrophic drive on Wednesday afternoon as a Class 4 storm, however has since been downgraded to a tropical storm by the Nationwide Hurricane Middle in an replace early on Thursday
This Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite tv for pc handout picture exhibits Hurricane Ian, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm, making it is manner over the Atlantic
Firefighters battled towards the flames in Fort Myers as the world was swept with a wave of destruction following the hurricane
LEE COUNTY
Lee County Sheriff Marceno, whose space covers Fort Myers, one of many worst affected areas by the monster storm, confirmed that he was anticipating lots of of fatalities in his jurisdiction alone.
He informed GMA: ‘Whereas I haven’t got confirmed numbers, I undoubtedly know the fatalities are within the lots of.
‘Hundreds of persons are ready to be rescued, I can not give a real evaluation till we’re on scene assessing every scene and we will not entry folks that’s the drawback.
‘This shall be a life altering occasion for the women and men who’re responding. This can be a life-changing occasion for all of us.’
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood predicted the restoration effort for the tsunami-life waves hitting the state shall be like ‘one thing we have not seen on this county ever.’
The Sheriff’s division additionally confirmed {that a} man, 72, was discovered useless in water in a canal behind his house in Deltona close to Daytona Seaside.
He gave the impression to be utilizing a hose to empty his pool into the vast canal and fell down an incline that was ‘extraordinarily smooth and slippery because of the heavy rain.’
In the meantime horrifying footage confirmed flames and black smoke coiling into the sky in Fort Myers as properties have been all of a sudden being engulfed by the blaze.
In a press convention on Thursday night, DeSantis mentioned that Florida had ‘by no means seen a flood occasion of this magnitude.’
He added that each Lee and Charlotte County are in ‘troublesome conditions’ and ‘off the grid’ after being the toughest hit, and restoration efforts there’ll give attention to rebuilding communication and rescuing these in want.
‘We completely anticipate to have mortality from the its hurricane,’ he mentioned, after revealing that officers have to this point carried out greater than 700 confirmed rescues, as an rising quantity of residents exit their properties to survey the harm – with some benefiting from the unrest.
FORT MYERS: Particles littered the road in Fort Myers because the clear up and rescue mission received underway, with the US Coast Guard confirming that they’ve carried out 28 rescues
FORT MYERS: Smoldering properties in Fort Myers Seaside will be seen as firefighters labored onerous to place out the flames amid the water broken properties
FORT MYERS: Rescuers this morning admitted they’re solely ‘scratching the floor’ and the precise variety of victims might soar even larger than just a few hundred
FORT MYERS: A seashore house has been utterly destroyed by the winds and floodwater of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers
PUNTA GORDA: Broken properties are seen in Punta Gorda, as plywood and different particles are strewn throughout the highway and mendacity by the aspect of properties
Lee County’s Sheriff additionally raised fears it was one of many worst pure disasters since Katrina with lots of useless, however he later tempered his feedback after DeSantis and FEMA insisted the dying toll shouldn’t be identified.
Nonetheless he didn’t row again on the claims, merely saying they have been preliminary, as he additionally warned that ‘looting and violence’ within the aftermath wouldn’t be tolerated.
At the moment there are 15 river gauge places in Florida at or above flood stage, 9 of these are at main flood stage, and three have reached all-time data.
Floodwaters are anticipated to rise additional because the Myakka River, Horse Creek and Peace River all broke their data.
FORT MYERS
The city of Punta Gorda, north of Fort Myers, was in near-total darkness after the storm worn out energy, save for the few buildings with turbines.
Video photos of the storm’s fury with floodwater reaching rooftops within the worst-hit communities, sweeping away automobiles and the ruins of properties as palm bushes have been bent nearly in half.
Hearth crews and law enforcement officials have been inundated with calls from folks trapped in flooded properties, whereas others posted on social media pleading for themselves or family members to be rescued after they selected to journey out the storm at house fairly than heed evacuation orders.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned rescue crews have been unable to achieve them because of the ferocity of the winds and flooding.
Horrifying footage exhibits debris-strewn water flooding the bottom flooring of properties, prompting residents to hurry to larger ranges.
Brittany Hailer, a journalist in Pittsburgh, contacted rescuers about her mom in North Fort Myers, whose house was swamped by 5 ft of water.
She mentioned: ‘We do not know when the water’s going to go down. We do not understand how they are going to go away, their automobiles are totaled. Her solely manner out is on a ship.’
Robbie Berg, senior hurricane specialist with the Nationwide Hurricane Middle, mentioned: ‘It would not matter what the depth of the storm is. We’re nonetheless anticipating fairly a little bit of rainfall.’
The US Coast Guard has already carried out 28 rescues since they went out within the early hours of the morning.
FORT MYERS: Footage exhibits energy strains and foliage strewn throughout the streets of Fort Myers, with some automobiles and properties present process vital harm
PUNTA GORDA: Foliage and bushes stay strewn within the streets of Punta Gorda, as residents try to begin the clear up
PUNTA GORDA: The extent of devastation is proven in Punta Gorda, near Fort Myers, with damaged bushes strewn throughout the highway and floodwater remaining
PUNTA GORDA: Residents in Punta Gorda have been compelled to filter out their very own properties with chainsaws as bushes have been strewn throughout the world
PUNTA GORDA: Lilly Indarjit, 16, stands in her broken house within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Punta Gorda, which was badly flooded
PUNTA GORDA: Tom Park begins cleansing up the harm in Punta Gorda after Hurricane Ian moved via the Gulf Coast of Florida
PUNTA GORDA: A ship is sort of totally submerged on the coast of southwest Florida within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian which has moved in direction of the middle of the road
FORT MYERS: Boats are stacking up collectively on the shores surrounding Fort Myers, with particles additionally overflowing into the water
PUNTA GORDA:
PUNTA GORDA: Courageous officers helped an aged man to security in nearly chest excessive water close to Fort Myers which was badly hit by the hurricane
FORT MYERS: Residents of cell properties clear up particles within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which noticed a number of of the properties blown over
They’ve been looking for folks in misery, with the bulk rescued from Fort Myers to St. Petersburg.
Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, a US Coast Guard commander, added that Fort Myers rescues have been each maritime rescues in addition to roof rescues.
At the moment eight Coast helicopters are presently within the air, ‘blanketing’ the southwest of Florida.
He added: ‘Proper now, we’re responding to a misery name in Lakeland, Florida, which is between St. Petersburg and Orlando… they’ve had a variety of rain and flooding in that space.
‘We have despatched a helicopter up there to reply to a report of six folks on a roof that want rescuing.’
NAPLES
Authorities are additionally asking everybody to remain off the roads as it’s ‘not secure’, telling anybody who remained within the county to attend for the storm to move.
Firefighters in Naples are urging locals to seek out the best level of their house to stay secure, however are warning residents to remain out of their attic’s.
Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace, which incorporates Naples, added: ‘Transportable towers are on the way in which for cell service. Chances are high your family members wouldn’t have capability to contact you.
‘We are able to inform you as daylight reveals the aftermath, it will be a tough day.’
The Florida Division of Emergency Administration (FDEM) says that the following 72 hours would be the most important in the case of rescue missions in southwest Florida.
Officers from Naples added that harm of their space alone is at the least $200million, with $20million coming from harm to Metropolis property.
PUNTA GORDA: A firefighter stands by fallen bushes aftermath of hurricane in Punta Gorda district, as Ian is intensifying to grow to be a Cat 1 hurricane when it his South Carolina on Friday
FORT MYERS: Police patrols the Centennial Park after Hurricane Ian hit, with floodwater nonetheless stagnant within the roads
LEE COUNTY: Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, whose space covers Fort Myers, which has been one of many worst affected by the monster storm, confirmed that he was anticipating lots of of fatalities in his jurisdiction alone
NAPLES: Firefighters in Naples, Florida, are warning residents to say on excessive floor till they are often rescued
NAPLES: A McLaren P1, price round $1.2million, was flooded out of a storage and into the highway alongside a Rolls-Royce Phantom, destroying the tremendous automotive because it was washed away in Naples, Florida
NAPLES: Emergency providers in Naples have already begun rescue missions for residents who’re trapped of their properties
ORLANDO: Folks paddle by in a canoe subsequent to a submerged automotive within the aftermath of flash flooding in an try and get to security
ORLANDO: A automotive was deserted with the boot open, and was submerged in a flooded highway attributable to heavy rains from Hurricane Ian
ORLANDO: A truck drives via a flooded freeway ramp following Hurricane Ian, in Orlando, Florida, as flash flood warnings are in place
ORLANDO: Emergency crews have been seen evacuating aged residents from an Orlando nursing house on Thursday
ORLANDO: Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace helped to maneuver residents in Orlando who had grow to be trapped by flash flooding
ORLANDO: Tons of of energy firm vehicles prepared to revive energy as 40,000 linemen able to get to work throughout Florida
ORLANDO: Orange County Hearth Rescue workforce assist folks stranded by Hurricane Ian with boats as they attempt to evacuate residents from their properties
ORLANDO
Flash flood warnings are in impact for Orange and Brevard counties as rain from Hurricane Ian hits central Florida.
Volusia can also be underneath a flash flood emergency, with river ranges rising above 30.6ft, as winds of 95mph are being recorded.
Chief Lauraleigh Avery, emergency supervisor for Orange County Authorities’s Workplace of Emergency Administration, mentioned: ‘Wherever they’re, they should keep put.
‘We might have a extremely speedy quantity of rain, a variety of rain coming actually quick. We have been already anticipating 12 to twenty inches of rain. Now we might go as much as 30 in some areas.’
WHITE HOUSE
DeSantis confirmed that he had spoken to President Biden, and that he can be searching for additional federal assist and funding as Ian heads in direction of Orlando with rising water ranges.
Throughout a press convention on Thursday, Biden confirmed that FEMA would help Florida within the clear up, and foot the invoice from the destruction brought on by Hurricane Ian.
Talking from the FEMA headquarters in Washington, DC, he mentioned: ‘ It’s nonetheless shifting throughout the state right now. This might be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s historical past.
‘The numbers are nonetheless unclear however we’re listening to early reviews of what could also be substantial lack of life.
‘My message to folks in Florida, at occasions like this: America comes collectively. We will pull collectively as one workforce, as one America.
‘The federal authorities will cowl 100% of the fee to clear particles and for all the prices the state has to have interaction in and expend to save lots of lives.
‘The federal authorities may also cowl the vast majority of the price of rebuilding public buildings like faculties and state fireplace stations.
SANFORD: Firefighters clear fallen bushes outdoors a constructing within the wake of Hurricane Ian in Sanford
BARTOW: A industrial signal was seen bent over outdoors of a drive-thru restaurant in Bartow, after being hit by excessive pace winds
BARTOW: Downed bushes in Bartow, Florida, lay throughout the highway as giant vehicles are referred to as in to take away them so as to get the city functioning usually once more
BARTOW: Cops direct the site visitors throughout an influence outage as officers work to restore the electrical energy strains
NORTH PORT: Broken automobiles with smashed windshields and airbags expanded will be seen on the aspect of Interstate 75 in North Port
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described the mass flooding from Hurricane Ian as a ‘as soon as in a 500-year’ occasion, and confirmed that 2.6million are presently with out energy
‘Earlier this week I authorized his request for the pre-landfall emergency declaration to supply direct federal help to the state, for emergency protecting measures to save lots of lives, together with search and rescue and shelter and meals.
‘Earlier this morning I authorized the governor’s most up-to-date request for expedited main catastrophe declaration.’
In a press release the White Home added: ‘The President spoke this morning with Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida to debate the steps the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to assist Florida in response to Hurricane Ian, together with the issuance of a Catastrophe Declaration this morning.
‘The President informed the Governor he’s sending his FEMA Administrator to Florida tomorrow to examine in on response efforts and see the place further assist is required. The President and Governor dedicated to continued shut coordination.’
Lee County Sheriff’s Workplace have suggested folks struggling to get via to ‘hold attempting’ as no electrical energy and patchy cellphone protection which means many requires assist weren’t getting via.
The slow-moving hurricane is constant to unleash drenching rains because it creeps inland, trapping scores of individuals – believed to be 1000’s – of their flooded properties.
‘Extreme and life-threatening storm surge inundation of 8 to 10 ft above floor degree together with damaging waves is ongoing alongside the southwest Florida shoreline from Englewood to Bonita Seaside, together with Charlotte Harbor,’ the Nationwide Hurricane Middle warned.
Florida’s idyllic southwestern shoreline, dotted with sandy seashores, coastal cities and cell house parks, was quickly reworked right into a catastrophe zone inundated by seawater.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott earlier this week despatched city search-and-rescue groups, consisting of 45 folks, 4 boats and two canines, to assist with the efforts.
SANIBEL ISLAND
Hundreds of residents on Sanibel Island have had their solely strategy to flee utterly destroyed, because the Causeway fell into the see.
It minimize off entry to the barrier island the place 6,300 folks normally stay, although it’s unclear what number of selected to remain on the island regardless of the obligatory evacuation orders.
The island was battered by 150mph winds and big tsunami-like waves as Ian made landfall yesterday, with footage exhibiting lodge visitors battling to maintain the home windows on a constructing.
A time-lapse video exhibits how shortly the distant shoreline island was swallowed by the plenty of floodwater, changing into utterly submerged in simply half-hour.
SANIBEL ISLAND: Residents stroll via the rubble in downtown Fort Myers as particles is littered everywhere in the streets
SANIBEL ISLAND: Boats are stacked up towards the Port Sanibel Marina Motel after they have been all dragged throughout the floodwater by the hurricane
PORT CHARLOTTE: Hospital workers at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital have been compelled to evacuate after floodwater burst via the roof
ST PETERSBURG: Rescue and clear up efforts have began in St Petersburg, Florida, which was hit with extreme wind and rain inflicting extreme harm
SARASOTA: Storm particles litters a road within the wake of Hurricane Ian in Sarasota, Florida
KEY WEST: Hurricane Ian handed over Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West inflicting flood harm and prompting evacuations of Navy personnel and households
PONCIANA: A person seems at his cellphone whereas drives a bike via a flooded space after being hit by Hurricane Ian
TAMPA BAY
Officers in Tampa confirmed that they have been reopening the Sunshine Skyway Bridge after closing due to excessive speeds over 40mph.
Florida’s Freeway Patrol mentioned: ‘The Skyway Bridge has been reopened to site visitors in each instructions as wind speeds have dropped to 30 MPH.
‘Motorists could cross the span, however are requested to make use of warning attributable to particles alongside the freeway shoulders.’
Sunday’s NFL sport between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs may also be performed as scheduled in Raymond James Stadium.
SOUTH CAROLINA
As much as a foot of rain is forecast for components of Northeast Florida, coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
As a lot as 6 inches might fall in southern Virginia because the storm strikes inland over the Carolinas, and the middle mentioned landslides have been doable within the southern Appalachian mountains.
The Climate Underground predicted the storm would move close to Daytona Seaside and go into the Atlantic earlier than veering again ashore in South Carolina on Friday.
The governors of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia all preemptively declared states of emergency.
CUBA
No deaths have formally been reported in america from Ian, however a ship carrying Cuban migrants sank Wednesday in stormy climate east of Key West.
The U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue mission for 23 folks and managed to seek out three survivors about two miles south of the Florida Keys, officers mentioned.
4 different Cubans swam to Inventory Island, simply east of Key West, the U.S. Border Patrol mentioned. Air crews continued to seek for probably 20 remaining migrants.
The storm beforehand tore into Cuba, killing two folks and bringing down the nation’s electrical grid.
CUBA: A person repairs a site visitors mild in Havana because the rebuilding of the town continues within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian
CUBA: Tobacco farm proprietor Maritza Carpio cries subsequent to her husband Ramon Martinez whereas taking a look at their destroyed tobacco home after the passage of Hurricane Ian in San Luis, Cuba
CUBA: Younger Cuban troopers put together to wash a park in Havana within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian
CUBA: Folks play within the breaking waves on the Malecon, within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Havana, Cuba on Wednesday
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
The hurricane’s eye made landfall close to Cayo Costa, a barrier island simply west of closely populated Fort Myers, with water draining from Tampa Bay because it approached.
Greater than 2.6 million Florida properties and companies have been left with out electrical energy, with a lot of the properties and companies in 12 counties with out energy.
Streets have been became rivers, with the storm surge flooding the decrease degree emergency room of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte, whereas fierce winds tore a part of its fourth flooring roof from its intensive care items.
Water poured in from above onto the ICU, forcing workers to evacuate the hospital’s sickest sufferers – a few of them on ventilators – to different flooring.
Sheriff Bull Prummell of Charlotte County, simply north of Fort Myers, introduced a curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. ‘for life-saving functions,’ saying violators could face second-degree misdemeanor prices.
‘I’m enacting this curfew as a way of defending the folks and property of Charlotte County,’ Prummell mentioned.
VENICE
Robust gusts and horizontal rains have been nonetheless lashing Venice, Florida, a metropolis of about 25,000 residents some 32 miles northwest of the place Ian first got here ashore on the barrier island of Cayo Costa seven hours earlier.
Bigger buildings remained largely intact, however small, residential areas off of Freeway 41, a significant artery via the world, have been left in a shambles.
Downed bushes and energy strains lined roadways to the purpose that the asphalt was not seen, roofs have been ripped off of some properties, and water was pouring into neighborhoods from seemingly all instructions.
A big open lot in entrance of a Winn Dixie grocery retailer turned a lake, with white-capping waters reaching the trunks of some the automobiles parked there. Energy was out in bigger swaths of the world, with communications almost not possible in lots of spots.
DeSantis mentioned Ian had generated life-threatening storm surges – waves of wind-driven seawater speeding in alongside the coast – of as much as 12 ft in some locations. Forecasters additionally warned of intense thunderstorms and doable tornadoes.
‘This can be a storm that we’ll discuss for a few years to come back, an historic occasion,’ mentioned Ken Graham, director of the Nationwide Climate Service.
By comparability, Hurricane Michael got here ashore in Florida’s panhandle in 2018 with regular winds of 155 mph, whereas Ida final yr packed sustained winds of 150 mph when it landed in Louisiana.
At the same time as Ian lashed the coast earlier than it lastly swept ashore, authorities warned residents it was too late for anybody who had but to evacuate to securely achieve this. Earlier this week, greater than 2.5 million residents had been informed to evacuate.
Many cell house residents took refuge in native faculties and different amenities transformed to emergency shelters. The realm’s quite a few assisted-living amenities have been largely evacuated, too.