Friday 30 September 2022 10:20 AM Carolina braces for deadly Hurricane Ian to make landfall within HOURS bringing ... trends now
A revived and deadly Hurricane Ian is barreling its way north toward Carolina today and the historic city of Charleston, a day after carving a path of destruction across central Florida that left rescue crews racing to reach trapped residents along the state's Gulf Coast.
Scores of residents in Charleston, watching the devastation that Hurricane Ian brought to Florida on television, have fled the city in a steady stream of vehicles and are heading for higher ground.
Hurricane Ian, now a Category 1 storm with 85mph sustained winds, is expected to hit the low-lying city at about 2pm ET today, bringing with it 'life-threatening' storm surges and floods, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update.
Hundreds of miles of coastline, stretching from Georgia to North Carolina, is under a hurricane warning, as residents rushed to board up their homes before fleeing the area.
An earlier forecast predicted a storm surge of 5 feet into coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas. Rainfall of up to 8 inches threatened flooding from South Carolina to Virginia.
In Florida, where Ian first came ashore on Wednesday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US mainland, the extent of the damage caused by the hurricane became more apparent on Thursday.
Rescue crews piloted boats and waded through riverine streets Thursday to save thousands of Floridians trapped amid flooded homes and buildings shattered by the hurricane.
Residents in Charleston, South Carolina, are boarding up their properties as they await Hurricane Ian's arrival on Friday
Highway cameras have captured long queues of residents fleeing South Carolina as the Charleston County has issued a state of emergency
Hurricane Ian, now a Category 1 storm with 85mph sustained winds, is expected to hit the Charleston at about 2pm ET today, bringing with it 'life-threatening' storm surges and floods, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update
In Florida, where Ian first came ashore on Wednesday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US mainland, the extent of the damage caused by the hurricane became more apparent on Thursday. Pictured: Flooded houses in Fort Myers on Thursday
This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla
Famaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida
People walk along the beach looking at property damaged by Hurricane Ian on Thursday in Bonita Springs, Florida
An aerial view of damaged boats after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Fort Myers, Florida
First responders with Orange County Fire Rescue use a boat to rescue a resident in a flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Thursday
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at least 700 rescues, mostly by air, were conducted on Thursday involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Guard and urban search-and-rescue teams.
At least 17 people have died in Florida, but officials fear the confirmed death toll could rise considerably.
Some of the damage to coastal towns, including Fort Myers Beach, was 'indescribable,' DeSantis, who surveyed the affected areas from the air on Thursday.
The hurricane flooded homes on both the state's coasts, cut off the only road access to a barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront pier and knocked out electricity to 2.6 million Florida homes and businesses - nearly a quarter of utility customers. Some 2.1 million of those customers remained in the dark days afterward.
Climate change added at least 10% more rain to Hurricane Ian, according to a study prepared immediately after the storm, said its co-author, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab climate scientist Michael Wehner.
Officials in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina urged residents to prepare for dangerous conditions.
Charleston is particularly at risk; a city-commissioned report released in November 2020 found about 90% of all residential properties were vulnerable to storm surge flooding. Parts of northeast South Carolina, near Charleston, could also experience up to 8 inches of rain.
Predicted storm surges were not as severe as those issued by the NHC when the storm was approaching Florida. Edisto Beach, South Carolina, a resort destination about 30 miles south of Charleston, was expected to see a 4- to 7-foot surge.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper urged residents to 'take necessary
