Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida.

This Friday, it launches at full speed towards the south-east of the United States and should cross South Carolina and North Carolina.

Downgraded to a tropical storm after passing over land, Ian strengthened again to the point of being recategorized as a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

“Torrential rains are likely moving through North and South Carolina and southwestern Virginia,” according to the NHC, which has placed the entire coast of South Carolina on hurricane alert as well as parts of Georgia and North Carolina. North.

Ian should then "rapidly weaken" by entering the land between Friday and Saturday, according to the organization.

The “deadliest hurricane in Florida history”?

While the images multiplied of streets transformed into channels of murky water, of boats thrown to the ground like simple toys, of smashed houses, hundreds of people were still waiting to be rescued in Florida.

“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history,” US President Joe Biden said during a visit to the offices of the federal agency that fights against natural disasters, Fema.

“Substantial” human losses

“The figures (…) are not yet clear but we are receiving initial information indicating human losses which could be substantial”, he added, ensuring that he wanted to go to the southern state as soon as possible, but also on the American territory of Puerto Rico, an island recently damaged by Hurricane Fiona.

The president also declared a state of emergency in South Carolina, sending federal reinforcements there, according to a statement.

“Over 700 confirmed rescues”

At a press conference Thursday evening, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he expected a number of deaths from the hurricane.

The elected official did not, however, put forward a provisional figure, preferring to wait for the results to be confirmed “over the next few days”.

“Over 700 confirmed rescues have taken place, and there will surely be many more when more data comes in,” the governor also said.


Planet

Hurricane Ian: A very heavy death toll feared in Florida

Planet

Hurricane Ian in Florida: More than 2 million homes without power, water rose 4 meters

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