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 29, 2022, 11:50 AM EDT

Coast Guard air crews rescue 7 people in Ft. Myers, Tampa areas

U.S. Coast Guard air crews rescued seven people in four separate rescue missions Wednesday night, Petty Officer Ayla Hudson told ABC News.

Damaged homes and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Sept. 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

The rescues occurred in the Fort Myers and Tampa areas, Hudson said. The Coast Guard's search and rescue missions are still ongoing.

-ABC News' Victoria Arancio

Sep 29, 2022, 11:13 AM EDT

Hurricane warning issued for entire coast of South Carolina

The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the entire coast of South Carolina. A hurricane watch had been in place for the entire state earlier.

Now a tropical storm, Ian is expected to become a hurricane again Thursday night before making landfall near Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday morning or early afternoon.

Ian currently has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, just 4 mph from returning to hurricane strength.

Sep 29, 2022, 10:51 AM EDT

Hillsborough County, including Tampa, lifts evacuation order

After conducting initial safety assessments, Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise has removed the evacuation order in place.

A pickup truck drives around fallen debris and palm trees in the Ybor City neighborhood ahead of Hurricane Ian making landfall on Sept. 28, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

After hosting more than 8,000 evacuees across 47 shelters, the county is preparing to conclude its sheltering operations or transition shelter availability for evacuees who continue to need assistance.

"Residents whose homes have been damaged are encouraged to find a safe place to stay. That place might be with family, friends, or at a nearby hotel," the county said in a statement.

The county also urged residents heading home to drive with caution, not to drive through obstructions or standing water and to stay away from downed power lines.

-ABC News' Alexandra Faul

Sep 29, 2022, 10:37 AM EDT

FEMA search and rescue teams out since 4 a.m., administrator says

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's search and rescue teams have been out in the field since 4 a.m. Thursday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told "Good Morning America." It will prioritize saving lives and helping people impacted by the storm, who may be trapped.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell holds a press conference on Hurricane Ian at FEMA Headquarters on Sept. 28, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Criswell said FEMA has been hearing reports of people calling 911 through the night and will use information it has gathered in those hours to prioritize rescues in harder-hit areas.

"This has been just a catastrophic storm and it's left significant damage in its path," Criswell said.

Criswell said FEMA will be able to conduct rescues by land, air and sea.

Criswell provided an update on the agency's response to Ian, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane.
2:58

FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell talks Tropical Storm Ian

Criswell provided an update on the agency's response to Ian, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane.
ABCNews.com

The most significant impacts have been happening in Lee County, where people are without power and water. Criswell also expects impacts across the western coast of Florida.

"Water is dangerous. Even though the storm has passed, the water that is there is still dangerous. There's debris, there's chemicals, there could be downed power lines. People need to be careful, they need to stay vigilant," Criswell said.

Related Topics