Fort Myers has staged a citywide 6pm curfew following a number of experiences 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 deal with intensive 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, consequence 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 reminiscent of Orlando and Jacksonville.

The deal with 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 purchasing, 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 attributable to Ian – leaving the door open for such vandals to capitalize on the unrest and switch a revenue.

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BEFORE AND AFTER: The pilings from Fort Myers Seashore 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 attributable to 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 photographs 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 might be seen in aerial images, with properties swept in the direction of the water in Fort Myers as timber and buildings lay damaged

Aerial photographs present the extent of devastation attributable to Hurricane Ian, as cell properties and different much less safe buildings might 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 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 super harm on Sanibel and Fort Myers Seashore,’ the official mentioned. 

The county head added that officers weren’t but conscious of ‘the total extent of the harm’ to the county, as officers proceed to seek for a whole bunch 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 as we speak, when regulation enforcement was unable to reply due to climate circumstances… there was a break-in on Cleveland Avenue,’ DesJarlais mentioned of 1 such reported occasion close to town’s heart and the then overflowed Caloosahatchee River

‘There was looting and there was a bunch of individuals, do not know so much about it but, who simply had their method.’

The official added that authorities believed that the focused enterprise was a fuel station, prompting a request from 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 deal with additionally noticed Lee County public security director Ben Abes (heart) reveal that officers are receiving and monitoring 9-1-1 calls from residents, reminiscent of 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 apart from Estero at the moment, he mentioned, as Estero officers couldn’t be reached. Town, which is simply tot he south of Fort Myers, reportedly skilled comparable flooding and hurricane pressure 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 reminiscent of 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 elements 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 town seeks to get well 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 individuals throughout this horrific occasion,’ Marceno mentioned. ‘You higher suppose twice. Once I say zero tolerance, zero tolerance means we’ll hunt you down, observe you down and you are going to jail should you’re fortunate.’

Badly battered Collier County, in the meantime, which can be in southwest Florida and is house to 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 an announcement.

‘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 often within the marina being pressured onto the shore amid damaged palm timber and broken infrastructures

Folks look on at destroyed boats after Hurricane Ian swept via on the Centennial Park in Fort Myers 

Properties in Fort Myers have been on fireplace on Thursday morning as the realm continues to be devastated within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian 

Properties 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, reminiscent of 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 whole destruction of Fort Myers from Hurricane Ian after the ‘superstorm’ ripped its beloved pier from its hinges.

Earlier than and after photographs 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 timber yanked from their roots and roofs shed from eating places alongside the promenade.

In the meantime helicopter photos confirmed buildings throughout 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 ‘tough 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 count on 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 growing quantity of residents exit their properties to survey the harm – with some sadly making the most of the unrest.

ORLANDO: Images present the extent of such flooding in Orlando, the place first responders braved overflowed streets in seven toes 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 vehicles 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 virtually totally submerged Corvette

A stalled automotive is proven on a flooded avenue after Hurricane Ian brought about harm and flooding in Orlando. Officers have warned residents in stricken cities in opposition to 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 avenue within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando Thursday morning. Officers have warned residents in opposition to such actions

A police automotive blocks off a flooded avenue 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 for the reason that storm made landfall Wednesday

It’s anticipated to select 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 arrange to be hit arduous by Ian, warning them of the ‘harmful unpredictability’ of the storm which continues to alter 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 wish 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 purpose from the federal authorities, with Biden administration offering 50 Nationwide Guard helicopters to seek for survivors and rescue the hundreds nonetheless stranded, lacking or caught of their properties following intensive harm from the torrent of water and 155mph winds.

Seventeen are confirmed to have been killed because of the storm, in response to county officers’ rely.

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 a whole bunch useless, however he later tempered his feedback after DeSantis and FEMA insisted the dying toll just isn’t recognized.

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 arrange to be hit arduous by Ian, warning them of the ‘harmful unpredictability’ of the storm which continues to alter course.

BONITA SPRINGS: A Plymouth automobile was turned the other way up exterior 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 hearth 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 may very well be the ‘deadliest’ Florida has ever seen with a ‘substantial lack of life’

Residents in Fort Myers have been met with scenes of devastation once they have been capable of 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 exterior their house on the street which had been pushed out of the marina by the hurricane

Automobiles are nonetheless making an attempt to make their method via the stagnant water left from the flooding attributable to Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers

Particles has gathered in a lake close to broken properties in Fort Myers, Florida, being pushed to 1 facet by the 155mph storm winds

Good Samaritans are seen in Orange County making an attempt 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 method on or off the island

The causeway was abandoned as authorities attempt to assess the extent of harm to the bridge, earlier than having the ability to transport help and meals to the island

Shawn Hulbert, 38, stands exterior 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 wish 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 pressure 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 predict the damages to price as much as $260billion, although the clean-up efforts are at present unable to get underway as swathes of Florida stay underwater.

Sanibel Island has been lower off from the mainland after the Causeway Bridge collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico because of the pressure of the tempest.

Ian is at present 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 as we speak. This may very well be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s historical past.’

The president added: ‘The numbers are nonetheless unclear however we’re listening to early experiences 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 a whole bunch of hundreds whose properties have been leveled.

The President additionally confirmed he was in ‘shut coordination’ with the Florida governor after a cellphone 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 may fall in southern Virginia because the storm strikes inland over in the direction of the Carolinas;
• The NHC has warned that landslides have been potential within the southern Appalachian mountains on Friday;
• Two individuals have died, probably in consequence from the storm, however their causes of dying are nonetheless unconfirmed.

Flamingos have been evacuated to the toilet at Sunken Gardens, St Pete, in Florida, on Wednesday after Hurricane Ian made landfall

A horse and a foal in addition to canine are saved in a lounge of a home north of Tampa as house owners took drastic measures to make sure their animals stayed protected

Footage reveals vehicles struggling to make their method via the floodwater, as timber 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 about the primary ground to be swallowed

Search and rescue groups began serving to households flee the waterlogged areas of Kissimmee, Florida

A baby carries a broken plant from their house as an grownup watches on, taking within the chaos attributable to 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 about the fires to interrupt out, it may have been sparked by broken energy cables, lightning or turbines being destroyed by the storm

Dozens of broken boats might be seen strewn throughout downtown Fort Myers within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, with many piled up on prime of one another 

Ian blasted ashore with catastrophic pressure 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 reveals Hurricane Ian, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm, making it is method over the Atlantic 

Firefighters battled in opposition to the flames in Fort Myers as the realm 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 a whole bunch of fatalities in his jurisdiction alone.

He advised GMA: ‘Whereas I haven’t got confirmed numbers, I positively know the fatalities are within the a whole bunch.

‘Hundreds of individuals are ready to be rescued, I can’t give a real evaluation till we’re on scene assessing every scene and we won’t entry individuals that’s the drawback. 

‘This shall be a life altering occasion for the women and men who’re responding. It is 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 Seashore.

He seemed to be utilizing a hose to empty his pool into the huge 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 out of the blue 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 ‘tough 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 count on 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 growing quantity of residents exit their properties to survey the harm – with some making the most of the unrest.

FORT MYERS: Particles littered the road in Fort Myers because the clear up and rescue mission obtained underway, with the US Coast Guard confirming that they’ve carried out 28 rescues

FORT MYERS: Smoldering properties in Fort Myers Seashore might be seen as firefighters labored arduous 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 may soar even larger than a number of hundred

FORT MYERS: A seashore house has been fully 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 facet of properties

Lee County’s Sheriff additionally raised fears it was one of many worst pure disasters since Katrina with a whole bunch useless, however he later tempered his feedback after DeSantis and FEMA insisted the dying toll just isn’t recognized. 

Nevertheless 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.

Presently 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 information.

Floodwaters are anticipated to rise additional because the Myakka River, Horse Creek and Peace River all broke their information.

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 vehicles and the ruins of properties as palm timber have been bent virtually in half.

Fireplace crews and law enforcement officials have been inundated with calls from individuals trapped in flooded properties, whereas others posted on social media pleading for themselves or family members to be rescued after they selected to experience out the storm at house somewhat than heed evacuation orders.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned rescue crews have been unable to succeed in them because of the ferocity of the winds and flooding.

Horrifying footage reveals  debris-strewn water flooding the bottom ground 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 toes of water.

She mentioned:  ‘We do not know when the water’s going to go down. We do not know the way they are going to depart, their vehicles are totaled. Her solely method 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 reveals energy traces and foliage strewn throughout the streets of Fort Myers, with some vehicles and properties present process important harm

PUNTA GORDA:  Foliage and timber stay strewn within the streets of Punta Gorda, as residents try to start out the clear up 

PUNTA GORDA: The extent of devastation is proven in Punta Gorda, near Fort Myers, with damaged timber strewn throughout the highway and floodwater remaining

PUNTA GORDA: Residents in Punta Gorda have been pressured to filter their very own properties with chainsaws as timber have been strewn throughout the realm

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 nearly totally submerged on the coast of southwest Florida within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian which has moved in the 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 virtually 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 trying to find individuals 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.

Presently eight Coast helicopters are at present 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 individuals on a roof that want rescuing.’

NAPLES

Authorities are additionally asking everybody to remain off the roads as it’s ‘not protected’, telling anybody who remained within the county to attend for the storm to cross.

Firefighters in Naples are urging locals to seek out the best level of their house to stay protected, however are warning residents to remain out of their attic’s.

Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace, which incorporates Naples, added: ‘Moveable towers are on the way in which for cell service. Chances are high your family members don’t have skill to contact you.

‘We will inform you as daylight reveals the aftermath, it should be a tough day.’

The Florida Division of Emergency Administration (FDEM) says that the following 72 hours would be the most important on the subject of rescue missions in southwest Florida.

Officers from Naples added that harm of their space alone is at the very least $200million, with $20million coming from harm to Metropolis property.

PUNTA GORDA: A firefighter stands by fallen timber aftermath of hurricane in Punta Gorda district, as Ian is intensifying to develop into 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 a whole bunch 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, value 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 develop into trapped by flash flooding

ORLANDO: A whole lot of energy firm vans prepared to revive energy as 40,000 linemen able to get to work throughout Florida

ORLANDO: Orange County Fireplace Rescue crew assist individuals 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 be below 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 may have a extremely fast quantity of rain, a variety of rain coming actually quick. We have been already anticipating 12 to twenty inches of rain. Now we may 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 the 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 attributable to Hurricane Ian.

Talking from the FEMA headquarters in Washington, DC, he mentioned: ‘ It’s nonetheless shifting throughout the state as we speak. This may very well be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s historical past. 

‘The numbers are nonetheless unclear however we’re listening to early experiences of what could also be substantial lack of life.

‘My message to individuals in Florida, at instances like this: America comes collectively. We’ll pull collectively as one crew, as one America.

‘The federal authorities will cowl 100% of the price to clear particles and for all the prices the state has to interact in and expend to avoid wasting lives.

‘The federal authorities will even cowl nearly all of the price of rebuilding public buildings like faculties and state fireplace stations.

SANFORD: Firefighters clear fallen timber exterior a constructing within the wake of Hurricane Ian in Sanford

BARTOW: A business signal was seen bent over exterior of a drive-thru restaurant in Bartow, after being hit by excessive velocity winds

BARTOW: Downed timber in Bartow, Florida, lay throughout the highway as massive vans are referred to as in to take away them with the intention to get the city functioning usually once more

BARTOW: Law enforcement officials direct the site visitors throughout an influence outage as officers work to restore the electrical energy traces

NORTH PORT:  Broken vehicles with smashed windshields and airbags expanded might be seen on the facet 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 at present with out energy

‘Earlier this week I authorised his request for the pre-landfall emergency declaration to offer direct federal help to the state, for emergency protecting measures to avoid wasting lives, together with search and rescue and shelter and meals.

‘Earlier this morning I authorised the governor’s most up-to-date request for expedited main catastrophe declaration.’

In an announcement 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 advised the Governor he’s sending his FEMA Administrator to Florida tomorrow to verify in on response efforts and see the place extra assist is required. The President and Governor dedicated to continued shut coordination.’

Lee County Sheriff’s Workplace have suggested individuals struggling to get via to ‘preserve making an attempt’ as no electrical energy and patchy cellphone protection that means many requires assist weren’t getting via.

The slow-moving hurricane is continuous to unleash drenching rains because it creeps inland, trapping scores of individuals – believed to be hundreds – of their flooded properties.

‘Extreme and life-threatening storm surge inundation of 8 to 10 toes above floor degree together with harmful waves is ongoing alongside the southwest Florida shoreline from Englewood to Bonita Seashore, 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 individuals, 4 boats and two canines, to assist with the efforts.

SANIBEL ISLAND

Hundreds of residents on Sanibel Island have had their solely method to flee fully destroyed, because the Causeway fell into the see.

It lower off entry to the barrier island the place 6,300 individuals often dwell, 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 large tsunami-like waves as Ian made landfall yesterday, with footage displaying lodge friends battling to maintain the home windows on a constructing.

A time-lapse video reveals how rapidly the distant shoreline island was swallowed by the plenty of floodwater, changing into fully submerged in simply half-hour. 

SANIBEL ISLAND: Residents stroll via the rubble in downtown Fort Myers as particles is littered all around the streets

SANIBEL ISLAND: Boats are stacked up in opposition to 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 pressured 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 avenue 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 appears at his cellphone whereas drives a motorbike 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 will even be performed as scheduled  in Raymond James Stadium.  

SOUTH CAROLINA

As much as a foot of rain is forecast for elements of Northeast Florida, coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

As a lot as 6 inches may fall in southern Virginia because the storm strikes inland over the Carolinas, and the middle mentioned landslides have been potential within the southern Appalachian mountains.

The Climate Underground predicted the storm would cross close to Daytona Seashore 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 individuals 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 presumably 20 remaining migrants.    

The storm beforehand tore into Cuba, killing two individuals and bringing down the nation’s electrical grid.

CUBA: A person repairs a site visitors mild in Havana because the rebuilding of town continues within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian

CUBA: Tobacco farm proprietor Maritza Carpio cries subsequent to her husband Ramon Martinez whereas 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 many of the properties and companies in 12 counties with out energy.

Streets have been changed into 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 ground roof from its intensive care models.

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 expenses.

‘I’m enacting this curfew as a way of defending the individuals and property of Charlotte County,’ Prummell mentioned.  

VENICE

Sturdy 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 serious artery via the realm, have been left in a shambles.

Downed timber and energy traces 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 vehicles parked there. Energy was out in bigger swaths of the realm, with communications practically inconceivable in lots of spots.

DeSantis mentioned Ian had generated life-threatening storm surges – waves of wind-driven seawater dashing in alongside the coast – of as much as 12 toes in some locations. Forecasters additionally warned of intense thunderstorms and potential tornadoes.

‘It is a storm that we’ll speak about for a few years to return, 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 12 months 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 accomplish that. Earlier this week, greater than 2.5 million residents had been advised to evacuate.

Many cell house residents took refuge in native faculties and different services transformed to emergency shelters. The world’s quite a few assisted-living services have been largely evacuated, too.