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.


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Biden calls Lee County commissioner to discuss hurricane response

President Joe Biden and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswel spoke with Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass Thursday to discuss response to the hurricane and ways the administration can support the county in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

The administration said it would assist in meeting immediate needs for search and rescue efforts, power restoration, helping to address challenges faced by local hospitals and problems presented by damage to roads and bridges, according to a statement from the White House.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez


Storm severely damages Sanibel Causeway, Pine Island bridge

The Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island to mainland Florida, and the Matlacha Pass Bridge, which connects Pine Island to the mainland in Cape Coral, are not passable and will require structural rebuilds due to the storm, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.

Officials have received reports of damages to other bridges. A team of 100 engineers is on site to do bridge inspections.

"I anticipate there will likely be other bridges that have suffered damage, but once bridges are inspected and determined to be safe, they will be reopened as soon as possible," DeSantis said.


Tampa International Airport to reopen 10 a.m. Friday

Tampa International Airport announced it will resume commercial operations on Friday at 10 a.m. after shutting down due to Hurricane Ian.

Although an inspection of the airfield and facilities determined the airport did not sustain any serious damage during the storm, reopening Friday will give the airport and its partners, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration and airlines, time to take necessary steps to resume business safely, the airport said in a statement.

This includes bringing back aircraft and staff that had been removed ahead of the storm.

The airport had suspended operations at 5 p.m. on Tuesday ahead of Ian's landfall.

-ABC News' Amanda Maile


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.

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


'We hear your calls': Sheriff

Lee County has received more than double the number of 911 calls it typically receives amid Hurricane Ian, according to Sheriff Carmine Marceno, as first responders have suspended their emergency response during the major storm.

"We hear your calls and are aware that Hurricane Ian was a powerful and devastating weather event," Marceno said in a social media post Wednesday evening. "We want to get to you. We want to save you. As soon as safely possible, our assets are ready to deploy to come to your aide."

Ben Abes, Lee County's public safety director, said current conditions, including flooding, make it "impossible" for first responders to go out. He said the county is tracking 911 calls and prioritizing them once first responders are able to act after the hurricane passes.

"We are aware of a number of calls of people who are stranded due to high water," he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening. "This is a scary situation. We urge you not to panic."

Lee County, which is home to hard-hit Fort Myers, Sanibel and Bonita Beach, issued a countywide curfew Wednesday evening due to the storm that is in effect until further notice.