Hurricane Ian moving up East Coast
Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone after roaring ashore as a Category 1 storm in South Carolina earlier on Friday.
The National Hurricane Center announced that the current storm has winds of 70mph and is moving inland over the Carolinas after wreaking havoc in its wake in Florida.
The storm made landfall shortly after 2 PM local time. Flooding began early in the morning in Charleston and has spread to areas like Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island as the storm moves onshore. Officials are urging residents not to leave their homes if they don’t have to, as the storm is still very dangerous.
President Joe Biden has issued an emergency declaration for South Carolina.
The storm hit Florida as one of the most powerful hurricanes in Florida’s history, with wind speeds nearly reaching Category 5.
Nearly 2 million people in Florida remain without power – and economic losses could amount to as much as $120bn, according to one estimate.
The state’s death toll also continues to rise as officials survey the damage. On Friday morning, officials reported one confirmed and 20 unconfirmed deaths in three counties. In Lee County, which saw some of the worst impacts, the sheriff has confirmed at least 16 storm-related deaths and five additional deaths.
Latest images as Ian comes ashore again in South Carolina
Flood waters cover the street of the South Battery in Charleston, S.C., during Hurricane Ian on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
(AP)
Waters from a rain-swollen pond cover grass and a foot path around Quarterman Park in North Charleston, S.C., after Hurricane Ian brought sheets of rain to the area.
(AP)
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 23:59
Ian death toll rises to at least 17, say officials
The number of people killed by hurricane Ian has risen to 17, according to the Associated Press.
Authorities in storm-lashed Florida confirmed several drowning deaths and other fatalities on Friday, according to the news organisation.
Most of the deaths were drownings, including a 68-year-old woman who was swept into the ocean by a wave.
The toll also includes a 22-year-old woman who was involved in an ATV rollover caused by a washed-out road n Manatee County on Friday.
A 71-year-old man died from head injuries after falling from a roof as he put up storm shutters on Wednesday.
The death toll is expected to continue to rise as first responders manage to get into flood-hit areas.
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 23:37
Survivors share Hurricane Ian aftermath on social media
Survivors of the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ian in Florida have shared the damage caused by the storm this week in clips on social media.
Survivors share Hurricane Ian aftermath on social media
Survivors of the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ian in Florida have shared the damage caused by the storm this week in clips on social media. Flooding has inundated the state, damaging belongings and spreading debris across communities. The storm made landfall in Florida on Wednesday, 28 September, as a Category 4, making its way to South Carolina on Friday as a Category 1. At least nine people have been confirmed dead, according to an Associated Press report. Click here to sign up to our newsletters.
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 23:31
Sheriff says 16 storm-related deaths in Lee County
The county in southwest Florida is the home of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, as well as Sanibel Island.
“Our hearts go out to friends & family who lost their loved one in this tragic storm. We are here for you & we will get through this together,” tweeted Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 23:15
Myrtle Beach faces major flooding
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows major flooding along Myrtle Beach in South Carolina as Hurricane Ian makes impact.
As of Friday afternoon, it was the third-highest water level on record.
Ethan Freedman30 September 2022 23:02
Climate crisis is creating stronger hurricanes than ever before. Here’s why
Hurricane Ian quickly strengthened into a near-Category 5 storm by the time it smacked into southwestern Florida, leaving huge areas flattened, bridges destroyed and many communities underwater.
Scientists say this kind of “rapid intensification” is related to the climate crisis, as hotter oceans can supercharge a storm – providing it with a lot of power very quickly.
As the planet heats up, hurricanes are expected to become stronger and more destructive on average.
Climate crisis is creating stronger hurricanes than ever before. Here’s why
The hurricane had sustained winds of 155mph just hours before it is expected to make landfall in Florida
Ethan Freedman30 September 2022 22:49
Hurricane Ian makes landfall in South Carolina
Ian made landfall again as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown, 60 miles north of Charleston.
Hurricane Ian makes landfall in South Carolina
Ian roared ashore as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown, 60 miles north of Charleston
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 22:40
Ian downgraded to post-tropical storm
The National Hurricane Center has downgraded Ian from a hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone after it made landfall again in South Carolina.
“The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” the NHC said in an advisory.
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 22:34
South Carolina faces sea level rise risk too
Flooding from storm surge and heavy rains are hitting South Carolina on Friday with Hurricane Ian’s third landfall.
But a more long-term climate threat also poses a risk to the state’s coastline: sea-level rise.
As the planet warms, melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are pushing sea levels higher and higher. For low-lying areas, that poses an existential risk.
In Charleston, South Carolina, the city sits so low that it will see flooding even on some sunny days during especially high tides.
That could get even worse in the coming years. By 2150, under even the lowest possible emissions scenario, Charleston will see nearly three feet (one metre) of sea level rise, according to Nasa, putting much of downtown underwater.
Under the worst-case scenario, the city could see nearly eight ft (2.36 m) of sea level rise in that time.
Ethan Freedman30 September 2022 22:31
What path is Hurricane Ian taking?
Ian roared ashore as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown, South Carolina with sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.
What path is Hurricane Ian taking?
Ian roared ashore as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown, South Carolina with sustained winds of 85 miles per hour
Graeme Massie30 September 2022 22:22
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