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 makes landfall as Category 4
Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday afternoon as a powerful Category 4 storm, slamming the coastline with powerful 150 mph winds and dangerous storm surge.
Landfall was at about 3:05 p.m. ET near Cayo Costa, an island off the coast of Fort Myers.
For southwest Florida, Ian “will probably be the big one that they always remember,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
The governor said Ian will likely stay in the state until Thursday, exiting from Daytona Beach.