Ron Brackett and Jan Wesner Childs
Damage assessments were underway in South Carolina after Hurricane Ian made landfall again Friday and search and rescue efforts are ongoing in Florida as the full scope of Hurricane Ian's damage is just coming into view there.
Ian came ashore near Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, devastating Florida's southwest Gulf Coast and bringing dangerous flooding and damaging winds across the state. The storm made landfall again as a Category 1 on the South Carolina coast near Georgetown at about 2:05 p.m. Friday. See the details from our meteorologists here.
Here are our updates as news related to the storm unfolded Friday.
(7:41 p.m. ET) Urban Search And Rescue Crews Describe The Scene
Members of Florida Task Force 1, an urban search and rescue team from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, are among the 800 first responders going door to door and searching through wrecked homes for survivors in Southwest Florida.
Working on Sanibel and Captiva islands, they're seeing the destruction firsthand and encountering residents who are hurting, and in need of food and water, according to a video posted to social media by the team. On Thursday, they carried people to waiting aircraft, some in makeshift stretchers made from chairs.
"Fortunately we were able to evacuate everyone that we came in contact with,” Lt. Alex Acosta said.
A member of Florida Task Force One search and rescue carries a person to safety on in an area hard hit by Hurricane Ian.(7:21 p.m. ET) Eight Now Confirmed Dead In Florida
So far, eight deaths in Florida have been linked to Ian. The latest added to the tally is in Ormond-By-The-Sea in Volusia County, on Florida's East Coast. Heavy rainfall and high winds caused damage and dangerous conditions there as the storm moved across the state on Wednesday and Thursday.
Two other deaths were previously confirmed in Volusia County, one of those in New Smyrna and one in Deltona; two in Sarasota County; two on Sanibel Island in Lee County; and one in Lake County. In addition, three people died when Ian hit Cuba.
Florida officials expect that number to rise. Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said as many as 21 deaths are so far believed to be connected to the storm but those numbers haven't been confirmed.
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, has said that at least 21 deaths are believed to be connected to the storm but that those numbers haven't been confirmed.
More: The Most Jaw-Dropping Images Of Hurricane Ian's Aftermath ... Ian Brings Storm Surge to Garden City, S.C ... A Florida Family's Harrowing Tale Of Hurricane Ian Survival
(7:08 p.m. ET) First A Fire, Now Ian
Clif Skoda and her family lost their home in California to a wildfire in 2018.
“So we decided well, it might be time to go somewhere else and my husband always wanted to live on a boat," Skoda told The Weather Channel's Justin Michaels.
That somewhere else was a marina in Ft. Myers, Florida, that was demolished by Hurricane Ian on Wednesday. Their named Burnt Out, is a total loss, l“Unfortunately our home now is gone," Skoda said. "But our family, my two daughters and dog and husband, are perfectly fine."
“Unfortunately our home now is gone," Skoda said. "But our family, my two daughters and dog and husband, are perfectly fine."
(6:30 p.m. ET) Outages Top 200,000 In North Carolina
More than 220,000 power outages are spread across central North Carolina as what was Hurricane Ian continues to move over land. Outages sit at about 190,000 in South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.us.
(6:18 p.m. ET) No Word On How Long Full Power Restoration Might Take In Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says some of the power grid was completely destroyed in Lee and Charlotte counties.
“The biggest challenge with power restoration is going to be in those areas that bore the brunt of the Category 4 plus, almost Category 5, impact where it may have uprooted some of the existing infrastructure," DeSantis said in an evening update. "Now that will be fixed, it’s just not something that gets fixed in 24 or 48 hours.”
More than 1.6 million homes and businesses remain without power across Florida. Seven counties are reporting between 60% and 100% of their utility customers have no electricity. The outages stretch from Collier County near the southern tip of the state up to St. Johns County, 350 miles to the northeast.
(6. p.m. ET) Ian No Longer A Hurricane
As of the latest National Hurricane Center update, Ian is no longer a hurricane. The remnants of the storm continue to bring threats of flooding rain, storm surge, strong winds and isolated tornadoes from the Carolinas into parts of Virginia.
(5:51 p.m. ET) Landmark Piers Destroyed In South Carolina
In all, Hurricane Ian demolished at least four piers along South Carolina's northern coast, according to The Associated Press. The Pawleys Island Pier went first, then local TV coverage showed sections missing from the Cherry Grove, Apache and Second Avenue piers in the Myrtle Beach area.
This photo provided by the Myrtle Beach Fire Dept., crews respond to rescue people who were trapped on the second floor due to flooding caused by Hurricane Ian, on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.(5:30 p.m. ET) Power Outages Top 350,000 in Carolinas
More than 185,000 power outages are being reported in South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.us. That's down from about 200,000 earlier. But the number in North Carolina has now risen above 170,000. Each outage can represent multiple people in one household or on a single utility account.
(5:16 p.m. ET) Crews Checking For Damage in Charleston
“We still have a good bit of flooding in downtown Charleston and on our barrier islands," Charleston County Emergency Management Director Joe Coates told The Weather Channel.
Coates said there were no reports of flooded homes or other buildings, but damage assessment teams are just starting to survey the area. Residents are being asked to stay home, especially after dark when it may be difficult to see fallen trees on the road.
(3:52 p.m. ET) Images Show Damage In South Carolina
A slideshow of images shows some of the hardest hit areas so far. Click here to view the photos, or scroll through the gallery below.
(3:34 p.m. ET) More Than 200,000 Without Power In South Carolina
About 210,000 power outages are being reported in South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.us. More than 82,000 are being reported in North Carolina.
(2:15 p.m. ET) Cherry Grove Beach Pier Collapses
WMBF reports that a portion of the Cherry Grove Beach Pier in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, appears to have collapsed.
(2:11 p.m. ET) Water Rushing Through Myrtle Beach Streets
The Myrtle Beach Police Department has tweeted a video of an SUV driving through high water as more water floods onto Ocean Boulevard at Third Avenue South.
(1:57 p.m. ET) Isle Of Palms Fire Department Suspends Service
The Isle of Palms Fire Department announced it is temporarily suspending operations because of the wind from Hurricane Ian. it said it will resume service as soon as it is safe to do so.
Water is also piling up on the barrier island on the South Carolina coast.
(1:52 p.m. ET) Every Structure In Cape Coral Damaged
The Cape Coral, Florida, fire chief says Hurricane Ian has been a "catastrophic event" for the city.
Fire Chief Ryan Lamb told the Fort Myers News-Press the city is working on assessing how much damage the city sustained.
“I believe every structure in the city of Cape Coral has been damaged, from a shingle that's been damaged to catastrophic damage,” Lamb said. “It’s been a catastrophic event for the city.”
He said the recovery process will take years.
“It’s going to take years, this is a pivotal impact event for the city of Cape Coral, this is going to affect the way we operate and do business for a very long time.
(1:40 p.m. ET) Ferry May Be Used For Sanibel Island
Florida and county officials are discussing whether to put ferries into service in areas where bridges have been destroyed, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in an afternoon briefing on Hurricane Ian.
DeSantis has said at least two bridges — one to Sanibel Island and one to Pine Island — will need to be rebuilt. Currently the only access to those areas is by boat and air.
Ferry was the only way to get to Sanibel in the 1950s, before the causeway was built.
(1:39 p.m. ET) Residents, Pets Rescued On Pawleys Island
The Midway Fire Rescue department used a high-water truck to rescue residents and pets at a home in the 300 block of Myrtle Avenue on Pawleys Island on Friday.
Everyone got out safely according to the Police Department.
(1:32 p.m. ET) Pawleys Island Loses Part Of Pier
The end of the Pawleys Island pier has collapsed and is floating south, according to the island's Police Department.
The end of the Pawleys Island pier has broken off during Hurricane Ian's approach to the South Carolina coast on Friday, September 30, 2022, The Police Department said it was floating south.(1:29 p.m. ET) Searchers Digging Deeper In Ian’s Rubble
Urban search and rescue crews are now digging deeper in the rubble in the most hard-hit areas in Florida, state emergency management director Kevin Guthrie said in a news conference a few minutes ago.
Initially, rescuers do what’s known as a “hasty” search, quickly looking and listening for any victims they might be able to help.
In the second phase, they being to search through debris.
“That is a very slow and tedious process,” Guthrie said.
(1:27 p.m. ET) Folly Beach Flooding
The city of Folly Beach, South Carolina, reports that all side streets along East Ashley up to Fifth Street are submerged. East Cooper and East Ashley beyond Fifth Street are flooded. Tabby Island, Mariners Cay, and other areas on the back of the island are reported as flooded. Power outages are being reported on the East Side.
(1:15 p.m. ET) Tree Crushes Car, Traps Driver
Windy conditions from Hurricane Ian caused a large pine tree to fall onto a moving car in Irmo, South Carolina.
The vehicle’s roof was crushed when the tree fell about 4 p.m. Thursday, according to the Irmo Fire District.
The car continued down the road for several hundred yards and came to rest in a yard against another tree. The driver was injured and trapped in the car.
Once she was removed from the car, she was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, the fire district said.
A vehicle’s roof was crushed in Irmo, South Carolina, when a tree fell on it about 4 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022, because of high winds from Hurricane Ian, according to the Irmo Fire District.(1:10 p.m. ET) Power Outages Top 100,000 In SC
More than 116,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
Power could be out for days for many in South Carolina and in Florida. Here are handy tips that could help.
(1:06 p.m. ET) McMaster: 'We're Not Out Of The Woods Yet'
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster spoke at a news conference Friday afternoon.
"As I speak the center of Hurricane Ian is approaching the coast of South Carolina just above Charleston mainly from Bulls Bay up through Myrtle Beach," he said.
McMaster said the Grand Strand area around Myrtle Beach is seeing rough seas and water is backing up behind the beaches and the creeks. He also described trees and power lines being knocked down and water standing in streets in several cities.
"It's not as bad as it could have been," McMaster said. "A lot of prayers have been answered but I would ask people don't quit yet it's still coming. We are not out of the woods."
No deaths have been reported but there are still life-threatening conditions, he said.
"Right now when the storm seems to be receding in some parts of the state and is moving onto others at hurricane speeds, this is when people normally get careless, get hurt and, unfortunately, often lose their lives," McMaster said.
(12:40 p.m. ET) Deputies Sheltering In Place
Deputies in Charleston County are sheltering in place as Hurricane Ian approaches landfall in South Carolina. The Sheriff's Office says people who venture out and get into trouble may not get help quickly.
(12:28 p.m. ET) Flooding In Georgetown, SC
Street flooding is being reported in Georgetown, South Carolina, where Ian is expected to make landfall.
(12:23 p.m. ET) Power Outages Top 60,000 In SC
Nearly 64,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
(12:20 p.m. ET) 8,000 Residents of Senior Facilities Displaced
About 47 nursing homes and 115 assisted living facilities in Florida have been evacuated as of Friday.
That means as many as 8,000 residents remain displaced by Hurricane Ian, Kristen Knapp of the Florida Health Care Association told the Associated Press.
Knapp said there have been no reports of serious injuries or deaths among those homes’ residents.
Steve Bahmer of Leading Age Florida, which represents non-profit long-term care facilities, said his group had received reports of minor damage, broken windows, downed trees and flooding. He said one facility was hit by a tornado but residents have been able to remain there.
(11:48 a.m. ET) Evacuation Orders Lifted In Northeast Florida
All evacuations orders in St. Johns County have been lifted as of 11 a.m. Shelters will close at 3 p.m.
The evacuation order for Nassau County was lifted at 8:30 a.m.
(11:41 a.m. ET) Storm Surge Breaching Dunes
(11:40 a.m. ET) Causeways To Pawleys Island Closes
Storm surge has started pushing onto Pawleys Island and has covered the South Causeway all the way to Wyndham Drive, the Pawleys Island Police Department reports. Both the South and North Causeways are closed.
(11:32 a.m. ET) More Road Closures In Charleston
The Charleston Police Department says there are 24 road closures and 18 traffic lights out throughout the city.
(11:12 a.m. ET) Power Outages Top 40,000 In SC
More than 41,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
(11:07 a.m. ET) Evacuation Order Not Lifted Yet In St. Johns
Residents who evacuated from St. Johns County in Florida are being asked not to return to their homes yet.
Emergency Management officials say they are working to assess the damage left by Hurricane Ian, according to News 4 Jax.
Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down and flooding has caused hazardous conditions.
St. Augustine, which is in St. Johns County, saw water flow out of the Matanzas River and into the city's historic downtown.
(10:58 a.m. ET) Wind And Rain On The Battery
(10:54 a.m. ET) Trees Coming Down Far Inland In SC
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department, which is in the center of South Carolina, reports it has handled several calls for downed trees and power lines in the area. Winds could reach 30 to 40 mph today in Columbia, the state capital.
(10:49 a.m. ET) 500 Being Evacuated In North Port, Florida
At least 500 people are being evacuated from neighborhoods in North Port, Florida, because of rising water.
ABC 7 reports neighborhoods near the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park are at risk.
Water is flowing out of the creek, and rising in those neighborhoods.
Emergency crews are trying to get Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission boats to those people so they can be taken to North Port High School, ABC 7 reporter Shane Battis says. He added that evacuations may continue over the weekend.
Ian's heavy rain has triggered record flooding on some rivers and creeks in southwest Florida, and those floodwaters are moving downstream. Record flooding has been observed on the Peace River and Horse Creek. The Myakka River at Myakka River State Park is very close to tying its record crest as well.
Water continues to rise in North Port, Florida, where at least 500 people are being evacuated on Friday, September 30, 2022. The Myakkahatchee Creek continues to rise with runoff from Hurricane Ian.(10:46 a.m. ET) Charleston Airport Closes
Charleston International Airport has closed ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Ian. Airlines had already canceled dozens of flights and the airport has a policy of closing when winds reach 40 mph.
The airport will remained closed until 6 a.m. Saturday.
(10:38 a.m. ET) Pawleys Island Flooding
Water from the Atlantic Ocean has begun washing over Myrtle Avenue on Pawleys Island in South Carolina.
(10:36 a.m. ET) Power Outages Nearly Double in South Carolina
More than 26,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
(10:18 a.m. ET) Strong Winds In Myrtle Beach
(9:48 a.m. ET) Update From Florida Governor
There has been a "herculean effort" to rescue people, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a briefing Friday morning.
He also said infrastructure needs are being met. For example, he said, Lee County had a water main break. The county does not have water at this point. FEMA has provided the Army Corps of Engineers to help get water restored there.
At least 800 bridges have been inspected and reopened.
Pine Island and Sanibel bridges will need to be rebuilt, DeSantis said.
Barges will be used to bring more heavy equipment to the barrier islands devastated by Ian to help with rescue and recovery efforts, he said.
Six Southwest Florida health care facilities were evacuated, he said.
The Port of Tampa, Port of Miami and Port Everglades have reopened and all of the state's port should be reopened by Saturday.
(9:40 a.m. ET) State Official Says 21 Deaths May Be Linked To Ian
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, provided an update Friday morning on the death toll from Hurricane Ian in the state.
Guthrie said there had been one death in Polk County that was a direct result of Ian. There have been 12 fatalities in Charlotte County and eight fatalities in Collier County, but those have not yet been directly linked to the hurricane.
He also said there had been deaths in Lee County, but he said those numbers had not been processed.
Guthrie described a situation in which a Coast Guard rescue swimmer saw bodies inside a house where the water had gone over the roof the house. Until the water recedes and the correct equipment is brought in, Guthrie said, those bodies can't be removed.
Until the water recedes and the correct equipment is brought in, Guthrie said, those bodies can't be removed.
He also explained that county medical examiners will make the determination on whether or not a death was directly or indirectly related to Hurricane Ian.
(8:37 a.m. ET) Power Outages Rising In Lowcountry
Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
(9:21 a.m. ET) Food Kitchens Won't Open For Several Days
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said in a news conference Friday morning that Floridians affected by Ian need to be relying on their own personal supplies for food and water for the next day or so.
Guthrie said there have been questions about food distribution points. He explained that in days two and three after a storm, people should rely on their personal family plan for food and water. Before storms, people are advised to have food and water for seven days.
National Guard and local community distribution will take place in days 3 to 5. It will include water and dry food, Guthrie said.
After that, mass feeding kitchens with hot food will be brought in to those communities most impacted.
Guthrie also described the three search stages: a hasty look for survivors and moving those people to safety; primary search is more detailed, and that's the stage they are in now, and then a secondary search will be done after that.
(9 a.m. ET) Winds Whipping In Charleston
(8:54 a.m. ET) Do Not Go Out In Fort Myers
The city of Fort Myers has reminded people there to remain in their homes or shelters today.
"We have a stay-at-home ORDER. We are HOPING to not provide citations, BUT there are many vehicles on roads PREVENTING US from reaching areas that need clearing," a tweet from the city said.
(8:37 a.m. ET) Power Outages Rising In Lowcountry
Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
(8:31 a.m. ET) Aerial Photos Show Scale Of Destruction
Aerial photos from NOAA are giving us a first glance at the destruction Hurricane Ian's storm surge and high winds have caused in Southwest Florida. NOAA has surveyed portions of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island so far. See more images here.
A new inlet has been cut through Capitva Island.(8:29 a.m. ET) Flooding Sticking Around In Florida
(7:53 a.m. ET) The Goats Are Safe
Every year from April through November, a herd of goats live on Goat Island in Murrells Inlet, a community south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
With Hurricane Ian approaching the coast, the goats have been moved to a nearby farm to wait out the storm, ABC 15 News reports.
https://wpde.com/news/local/goats-removed-from-goat-island-in-murrells-inlet-ahead-of-tropical-storm-ian
Once the threat has passed, they'll be returned to help control undergrowth on the island.
(7:23 a.m. ET) Lowcountry Feeling First Impacts Of Ian
Winds are beginning to gust and water is already making some streets impassable.
A wind gust of 66 mph was recently measured along the south end of Folly Beach, the National Weather Service said. A gust of 46 mph was observed at the Marine Air Corps Station in Beaufort. A 40-mph gust was reported at Charleston International Airport.
More than a half dozen roads are already closed because of flooding in Charleston.
(7:06 a.m. ET) How To Apply For FEMA Help
The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
FEMA lists the steps to take before you apply for assistance.
Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.
Make a list of damaged/lost items.
Save yourself time. If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company.
(6:54 a.m. ET) Ian's Flooding Spread Into Rural Florida
Hurricane Ian's flooding wasn't contained to Southwest Florida's coastal areas. Several locations in the more rural inland counties also were underwater Thursday.
Water appeared to be up to the roofs of some homes in Hardee County, which was right in Ian's path, according to Fox 13.
As the Peace River overflowed, water submerged roads, cars and homes in Wauchula.
"It's kinda devastating, actually. I'm kinda starting to shake a little bit because this is the first time I've officially seen all of this," resident Leslie Miller told the TV station.
The Sheriff's Office used boats and high-water vehicles to rescue people.
To the south in DeSoto County, the town of Arcadia saw heavy damage from Ian.
Storefronts were blown out and water stood in the streets, the New York Times reported.
(6:33 a.m. ET) Power Outages Starting In Lowcountry
More than 5,000 homes and businesses have lost power in South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us. Nearly half of them are in Beaufort County, with another 1,500 in Horry County, which is home to Myrtle Beach.
(6:25 a.m. ET) Buildings Around Sanibel Lighthouse Gone
The Sanibel Tower Lighthouse appears to have survived Hurricane Ian, but the buildings surrounding it, which were built when the lighthouse was erected in the 1880s have been washed away.
(6:23 a.m. ET) Roads Closing in Charleston
At least a half dozen roads have already closed in Charleston as Hurricane Ian approaches, according to WCBD.
(6:10 a.m. ET) Streetlights Fall In Charleston County
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office reported that street lamps had blown down on State Highway 165 near Highway 162 in Hollywood, South Carolina, about 17 miles west of Charleston.
(6:09 a.m. ET) Roads Flooding on Isle of Palms
(5:48 a.m. ET) Beaufort Sheriff: Stay Inside On Friday
Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner has asked people there to stay inside today as he recalled the effects Hurricane Matthew had on the South Carolina Coast.
“Refrain from driving on any roads Friday and Friday evening,” Tanner said during a news conference. “Reducing the amount of traffic throughout the county makes it easier for us to do our job and it’s safer for you.”
He discussed the possibility of trees falling and storm surge causing flooding.
As of Friday morning, Beaufort County officials had ordered no evacuations.
(5:37 a.m. ET) Charleston-Area Stores, Malls Close
Stores and malls along the South Carolina coast have closed early as Hurricane Ian approaches.
The Citadel Mall and Northwoods Mall near Charleston have closed along with Walmart, according to the Post and Courier.
Publix announced it would close its 16 Charleston-area stores today.
Walmart also closed all locations in Beaufort and Jasper counties.
(5:21 a.m. ET) Over 2 Million Still Without Power
More than 2 million power outages are being reported in Florida, according to PowerOutage.us. Each outage can represent several people on a single account or household.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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