In Cuba, where Hurricane Ian first made landfall on Sept. 27, the storm caused the country’s electricity grid to collapse, leaving 11 million people without power. And on Friday morning, National Hurricane Center’s 8:00 am update indicated the storm was about 105 miles away from Charleston, S.C.—where a flash-flood warning has already been issued, amid wind gusts measured at 74 mph—as the Carolinas braced for Ian’s landfall later in the day. In between, even as the storm temporarily weakened from a Category 4 hurricane to Category 1, its devastating impact was felt Wednesday afternoon in Florida, where it left thousands stranded in the midst of catastrophe.
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Homes were demolished and trees felled; portions of bridges such as the Sanibel Causeway, which connects part of mainland Florida to Sanibel Island, will need to be rebuilt. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis referred to the devastation as a “500-year flooding event” on Thursday morning. Officials cannot yet properly assess the amount of damage caused by Hurricane Ian, though Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said his office was struggling to answer thousands of 911 calls received, per the AP.
ABC News reports 11 confirmed deaths thus far, with a Florida County Commissioner saying this is the worst storm damage he’s ever seen. Rescue operations began in some counties on Thursday morning, allowing for some more than 775 people to be saved. Hospitals have been affected by flooding and a lack of running water, complicating the care patients are able to receive.
Christopher Morris for TIMEFlooding is seen in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2022, the day after Hurricane Ian hit land.Christopher Morris for TIMEA semi-trailer turned over by Hurricane Ian’s strong winds blocks a stretch of the the Albert W. Gilchrist Bridge between Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, Fla.Christopher Morris for TIMEHomeowners in Fort Myers, Fla., walk outside their homes on Sept. 29, 2022 to assess damage and wait for help from relatives.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesIn an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on Sept. 29 in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.Joseph Agcaoili—AFP/Getty ImagesDebris litters a mobile home park in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 29, one day after Hurricane Ian made landfall.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesStedi Scuderi looks over her apartment after flood water inundated it when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on Sept. 29 in Fort Myers, Fla.Joe Raedle—Getty Images(L-R) Ken Pham, Lesman Varela, and Fernando Amador clear a large tree off their home after Hurricane Ian passed through on Sept. 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Fla.Eva Marie Uzcategui—Bloomberg/Getty ImagesA broken utility pole behind a collapsed basketball hoop on a flooded street following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 29.Giorgio Viera—AFP/Getty ImagesA man takes photos of boats damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 29.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesParts of Sanibel Causeway are washed away along with sections of the bridge after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on Sept. 29, 2022, in Sanibel, Fla.Wilfredo Lee—APA damaged causeway to Sanibel Island is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 29 near Sanibel Island, Fla.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesParts of Sanibel Causeway are washed away along with sections of the bridge after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on Sept. 29 in Sanibel, Fla.Christopher Morris for TIMESevere flooding from Hurricane Ian is seen against parking garages close to Sanibel Island on Sept. 29.Win McNamee—GettyDamaged homes are seen after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Fla. on Sept. 29 in Punta Gorda, Fla.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesA wall of a condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through on Sept. 30 in Fort Myers, Fla.Wilfredo Lee—APDamaged homes and debris are shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Sept. 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla.
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