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:
As flooding begins Charleston police urge 'only essential travel'
Hours before Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall in South Carolina, Charleston police are urging "only essential travel" and announcing road closures.
"We are experiencing flooding in many of our usual locations and implementing road closure procedures. We expect additional closures throughout the day," police said in a tweet.
Flash flood warning issued for Charleston, South Carolina
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Charleston metro area until noon on Friday.
The NWS says that heavy rain and tide will continue to increase and cause life-threatening conditions and flash flooding.
-ABC News' Max Golembo
Florida governor set to hold early morning press conference on Hurricane Ian
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold his next press conference at 8:45 a.m. ET, according to a media advisory provided by his office.
DeSantis will be joined by FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell.
-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway
Biden declares state of emergency in South Carolina
President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in South Carolina, the White House announced late Thursday night, as Hurricane Ian takes aim at the state.
-ABC News' Lauren Minore
Ian death toll in Florida at least 33: Analysis
There have been at least 33 storm-related deaths due to Ian in Florida, ABC News has determined based on information from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission and inquiries with local officials and authorities.
That includes 16 deaths in Lee County, six in Charlotte County, four in Volusia County, three in Collier County, two in Sarasota County, and one each in Lake and Manatee counties.
Earlier Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were 21 deaths from Ian, of which 20 were unconfirmed because they were spotted during search and rescue operations and crews were told to prioritize those found alive and still trapped.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Friday evening that there are 10 confirmed deaths attributed to Ian across in Lake, Sarasota, Manatee, Volusia and Collier counties. The causes of death were primarily drownings, as well as two vehicle accidents and a roof accident. The tally, confirmed by the Medical Examiners Commission, does not include any fatalities from hard-hit Lee or Charlotte counties.
It is unclear whether the state's figures overlap with ABC News' analysis.
-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway, Alex Faul and Benjamin Stein