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:
Ian’s eyewall moving on shore
Hurricane Ian’s eyewall is moving on shore.
The powerful Category 4 storm is set to bring catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding.
Sanibel Island has reported sustained winds of 58 mph with a wind gust reaching 75 mph.
Over 2,000 flights canceled
The airports in Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are leading the world in flight cancellations Wednesday morning.
Over 2,000 flights have been canceled within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday.
Another 1,600 flights are already cancelled for Thursday.
The Tampa International Airport will remain closed through Thursday.
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway and Sam Sweeney
Hurricane-force winds approaching Florida coast
Hurricane-force winds are approaching the coast of Florida near Sanibel Island, which is 23 miles from Fort Myers.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stressed Wednesday the danger of water as Hurricane Ian approaches.
She urged Floridians to never drive through floodwaters, noting a car can be carried away in just a few inches of water.
“From coastal storm surge to inland flooding, the majority of the state of Florida is in Ian’s crosshairs,” she said.
18 feet of storm surge possible
Up to 18 feet of dangerous storm surge is forecast along Florida’s Southwest coast, including Englewood, Bonita Beach and Charlotte Harbor.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday that her biggest concern with Ian was storm surge.
"In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, there were five recorded fatalities as a result of storm surge,” she noted.
Floodwater safety tips to remember
As Ian approaches, here are a few commonsense strategies to help avoid unnecessary risk from floodwaters:
--Before flooding, look up your neighborhood's flood zone and determine if your home or business is prone to flooding. Come up with an evacuation plan and make sure your car has a full tank of gas. Stock up on non-perishable foods.
--After flooding, ensure your drinking water is sanitized and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with floodwaters. Disinfect objects that have come into contact with floodwater before offering them to children or toddlers.
--Try to avoid exposure with floodwaters for long periods of time to prevent physical injury. Wear waterproof boots if you have them. Do not attempt to drive over flooded streets as it could damage the car and strand passengers.
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