Hurricane Ian updates: Florida death toll climbs

Lee County, which encompasses Fort Myers, accounts for most of the fatalities.

The remnants of Ian are charging up the East Coast on Saturday after making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in South Carolina on Friday afternoon.

The monster storm made its first U.S. landfall on Wednesday on Florida's west coast as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, shredding homes with ferocious winds topping 150 mph. Florida's death toll has climbed to at least 81, according to information from local officials.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Sep 28, 2022, 11:29 PM EDT

Hurricane Ian now Category 1 storm

Ian continues to gradually weaken as it moves across the Florida Peninsula, now a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds down to 90 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and the center is currently about 70 miles south of Orlando.

Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, Sept. 28, 2022, in the Gulf of Mexico.
GOES/NOAA via AP

While Ian is weakening, it's still bringing widespread dangerous weather impacts across the state.

-ABC News' Dan Peck

Sep 28, 2022, 10:58 PM EDT

Flash flood emergency issued in west-central Florida

A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for parts of Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Hardee and Highlands counties in west-central Florida, with other areas experiencing life-threatening flash flooding.

Between 12 to 19 inches of rain has already fallen in the area.

-ABC News' Daniel Peck

Sep 28, 2022, 10:51 PM EDT

Lee County sheriff: Reports of buildings compromised and vehicles floating

As Hurricane Ian makes its way across Florida, counties are assessing the devastation left by the storm.

In a Wednesday night press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said that Ian hit the county extremely hard.

Marceno said he'd gotten reports of compromised homes and businesses and of vehicles floating into the ocean.

Officials said part of Fort Myers, which is in Lee County, was "decimated" by Hurricane Ian.

Marceno said residents are in need, and the county will respond to emergency calls once it's safe.

-ABC News' William Gretsky

Sep 28, 2022, 10:46 PM EDT

Ian continues to gradually weaken, winds at 100 mph

Hurricane Ian continues to gradually weaken as of 10 p.m. ET, with maximum sustained winds now down to 100 mph. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 8 mph, and its center is currently about 80 miles south of Orlando.

Hurricane Ian is shown as a Category 2 storm in a satellite weather graphic released at 10pm, Sept. 28, 2022.
ABC News

The Florida Peninsula continues to experience dangerous weather impacts, including strong wind gusts, torrential rain and persistent storm surge in some areas.

Areas of relentless heavy rain will continue to bring the threat of dangerous flash flooding in some areas. This threat becomes even more dangerous during overnight hours.

-ABC News' Dan Peck

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