By MEG KINNARD and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A revived Hurricane Ian threatened coastal South Carolina and the historic metropolis of Charleston with extreme flooding Friday after the lethal storm precipitated catastrophic harm in Florida and trapped hundreds of their properties.
With South Carolina’s coast beneath a hurricane warning, many left Charleston for increased floor and retailer homeowners in low-lying areas used sandbags in hopes of holding again excessive water ranges.
Ian left a broad swath of destruction after it got here ashore on Florida’s Gulf Coast as one of many strongest storms ever to hit the U.S. The storm flooded areas on each of Florida’s coasts, tore properties from their slabs, demolished beachfront companies and left greater than 2 million individuals with out energy. At least seven individuals have been confirmed lifeless within the state — a quantity that was prone to improve as officers affirm extra deaths and seek for individuals.
In Charleston on Friday, highly effective wind gusts bent tree branches and despatched sprays of steadily falling rain sideways. Streets within the 350-year-old metropolis have been largely empty, an ordinarily packed morning commute silenced by the advancing storm.
With winds holding at 85 mph (140 kph), the National Hurricane Center’s replace at 11 a.m. Friday positioned Ian about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Charleston.
The heart’s hurricane warning stretched from the Savannah River to Cape Fear. The forecast predicted a storm surge of as much as 7 ft (2.1 meters) into some Carolina coastal areas, and rainfall of as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters).
In Florida, rescue crews piloted boats and waded via riverine streets Thursday to save lots of hundreds of individuals trapped amid flooded properties and buildings shattered by Hurricane Ian.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated Friday that rescue crews had gone door-to-door to over 3,000 properties within the hardest-hit areas.
“There’s really been a Herculean effort,” he stated throughout a information convention in Tallahassee.
Climate change added at the least 10% extra rain to Hurricane Ian, in line with a examine ready instantly after the storm, stated its co-author, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab local weather scientist Michael Wehner.
Those killed in Florida included a 67-year-old man who was ready to be rescued and fell into rising water inside his New Smyrna Beach house late Thursday, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office stated. Patrol automobiles had been unable to succeed in him as a result of roads have been flooded.
At least three individuals have been reported killed in Cuba after the hurricane struck there on Tuesday.
In the Fort Myers space, companies close to the seashore have been fully razed, leaving twisted particles. Broken docks floated at odd angles beside broken boats. Fires smoldered on tons the place homes as soon as stood.
“I don’t know how anyone could have survived in there,” William Goodison stated amid the wreckage of a cellular house park in Fort Myers Beach the place he’d lived for 11 years. Goodison stated he was alive solely as a result of he rode out the storm at his son’s home inland.
The hurricane tore via the park of about 60 properties, leaving many destroyed or mangled past restore, together with Goodison’s single-wide house. Wading via waist-deep water, Goodison and his son wheeled two trash cans containing what little he may salvage — a conveyable air conditioner, some instruments and a baseball bat.
The highway into Fort Myers was suffering from damaged bushes, boat trailers and different particles. Cars have been deserted within the highway, having stalled when the storm surge flooded their engines.
Emergency crews sawed via toppled bushes to succeed in stranded individuals. Many within the hardest-hit areas have been unable to name for assist due to electrical and mobile outages.
A piece of the Sanibel Causeway fell into the ocean, slicing off entry to the barrier island the place 6,300 individuals reside.
Hours after weakening to a tropical storm whereas crossing the Florida peninsula, Ian regained energy Thursday night over the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center predicted it could hit South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane Friday, nonetheless a lot weaker than the Category 4 hurricane it was on Wednesday.
National Guard troops have been being positioned in South Carolina to assist with the aftermath, together with any water rescues. And in Washington, President Joe Biden authorised an emergency declaration for the state, a wanted step to hurry federal help for restoration as soon as Ian passes.
In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper urged residents to arrange for torrents of rain, excessive winds and potential energy outages.
___
Gomez Licon reported from Punta Gorda, Florida; Associated Press contributors embody Terry Spencer and Tim Reynolds in Fort Myers, Florida; Cody Jackson in Tampa, Florida; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida; Seth Borenstein in Washington; and Bobby Caina Calvan in New York.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”