United States: Hurricane Ian could be "the deadliest in Florida history"

Two women in a canoe next to a submerged car in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando, Fla. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian left much of Florida's southwest coast in the dark early Thursday, causing "catastrophic" flooding that left officials preparing for a huge emergency response to a storm of rare intensity.

AFP - JIM WATSON

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, South Florida discovered the extent of the damage described as "historic" by Governor Ron DeSantis.

More than 2.6 million homes are without electricity.

And according to Joe Biden, the hurricane could have caused many victims.

But no human toll has yet been established with certainty. 

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With our correspondent in Miami

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During the passage of the hurricane, the emergency services received thousands of distress calls from residents who had preferred not to follow the evacuation order.

Some found themselves trapped in their homes by the sudden rise in water up to 4 meters in places.

But those calls went unanswered because it was too dangerous even for relief to come out during the hurricane.

The water has partially receded today and authorities are now concerned that many casualties will be found in the most devastated areas such as the cities of Fort Myers and Naples.

On the ABC channel, the Lee County sheriff said he expected hundreds of deaths without being able to confirm any precise figures.

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this," Governor Ron DeSantis said, suggesting it's too early to predict any human toll.

A first death has been confirmed.

A 72-year-old man came out during the hurricane to empty his swimming pool.

But the American president warns that the toll could be extremely heavy.

According to Joe Biden, Hurricane Ian could even be the deadliest in Florida history. 

Biden will soon go to Florida

Faced with the extent of the damage, US President Joe Biden declared a state of major natural disaster on Thursday morning, a decision to release additional federal funds for the affected regions.

Although weakened, Storm Ian continued its destructive course towards South Carolina on Thursday.

It is expected to strengthen, regaining hurricane strength when it makes landfall in South Carolina on Friday, before weakening rapidly again.

US President Joe Biden has announced he will visit Florida.

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" those involved in relief and reconstruction operations, he said during a visit to the premises of the federal agency which supports the victims. natural disasters (FEMA). 

“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history.

Figures still unclear, but we have information that there could be substantial loss of life.

Despite the significant danger, search and rescue operations began before dawn on Thursday morning for those trapped and in desperate need.

These are dangerous missions and I am grateful to the brave men and women of federal and local government who work as a team, who risk their lives to save others.

And we will know more in the hours to come, but we know that many families are suffering today.

A lot.

And our whole country suffers with them.

We continue to see deadly rains, catastrophic storms,

flooded roads and houses.

There are millions without power and thousands stuck in schools and community centers.

They wonder what will be left when they get home.

At home in quotes, or even if they still have a home to go to.

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Joe Biden: 'This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history...'

Guillaume Naudin

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• United States

• Natural disasters

• Climate change