Hurricane Ian strengthened because it barreled towards South Carolina’s coast Friday after pounding elements of Florida, the place it left no less than a dozen folks lifeless, knocked out energy for tens of millions and devastated communities throughout the state.
Not less than 12 folks had been confirmed lifeless within the storm as of late Thursday, with seven of them in Charlotte County, close to the place Ian made landfall on Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday afternoon as a Class 4 hurricane.
Florida’s Division of Emergency Administration Director Kevin Guthrie recommended the demise toll may very well be larger on Friday, saying throughout a information convention that as many as 21 deaths had been reported in Ian’s wake. He stated it nonetheless had but to be confirmed whether or not a lot of these have been associated to the storm, nonetheless.
Talking after a briefing with Federal Emergency Administration Company officers, President Joe Biden had additionally warned Thursday night time that Ian may very well be answerable for “substantial lack of life” and find yourself being the deadliest storm in Florida’s historical past.
“I spoke with the commissioners, and they’re nervous,” he stated.