Hurricane Ian: Parts of Florida Not Accessible to First Responders

Three days after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida, the extent of the damage is becoming increasingly clear.

The number of confirmed deaths has risen to at least 50. However, search teams have not yet been able to penetrate all of the affected areas. About 10,000 people remain missing, said Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s chief of emergency management.

About 1.2 million Florida homes were still without power on Saturday and another 300,000 in North and South Carolina and Virginia.

240 kilometers per hour

Hurricane Ian made landfall on the east coast of Florida on Wednesday with winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour and arrived weakened in the port city of Georgetown, South Carolina, on Friday. According to analyst firm CoreLogic, insurers expect losses of between $28 billion and $47 billion.

Since then, Ian has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone. According to the National Hurricane Center, the danger is not over yet. Storm surges and strong winds should continue to be expected in North and South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, he said.