Katrina, Ike, Ivan and Sandy. Ian joins the list of the deadliest hurricanes in the United States in the 21st century. At least 100 people have lost their lives in Florida and North Carolina, as rescue teams work desperately to search for survivors in the water and mud. Material damage is also overwhelming, and nearly one million people are still without power.
President Joe Biden himself acknowledged on Twitter that "the devastation" caused by the hurricane places it "among the worst in the nation's history."
We're beginning to see the scale of the devastation in Florida which is likely to rank among the worst in the nation’s history.
Our hearts break for the folks whose lives have been devastated by this storm.
We are with you. And we'll stay at it for as long as it takes.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 1, 2022
Almost one million people without electricity
The worst predictions about the consequences of Hurricane Ian have come true. The death toll continues to rise, and emergency services have not yet been able to access all areas due to weather conditions. At the moment, there are still entire populations, especially small islands, cut off from communication, in spite of the efforts of authorities and other companies.
In the aftermath of Ian, the National Weather Service announces a drop in temperatures.
Seasonably cooler temperatures and mostly dry conditions will continue today, although a few showers and storms will be possible along the east coast. Minimum temperatures overnight will range from low 60s (interior) to low 70s (coasts). #FLwx pic.twitter.com/vt2tZzfXdh
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) October 2, 2022
More than $20 million received in donations
More than half of the 2.5 million people who were without power have had their power restored, according to poweroutage.us, although at least 875,000 remain without power. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reached out to Lee County Electric Cooperative last Saturday to accept additional help to expedite repairs. The group had barely recovered energy for 9% of its customers, while other companies, such as Florida Power and Light (FPL) exceeded 45%.
During the day yesterday, more than $20 million in donations were received to aid in the state's recovery. DeSantis' wife, Casey, tweeted.
$20 million in 48 hours is a testament to the generosity, compassion and good will from people across the county. @GovRonDeSantis and I are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AT2kqBM2Qi
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) October 1, 2022
Ian has become, at the moment, the fifth hurricane that has left more deaths in the U.S. this century. Only Katrina (2005, 1,200 dead), Sandy (2012, 147 -72 in the USA), Ike (2008, 103) and Ivan (2004, 92) claimed a greater number of lives.
Biden visits hurricane-affected states
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced that he will visit, accompanied by his wife Jill, the states affected by Fiona and Ian. Biden will travel to Puerto Rico on Monday and will arrive in Florida next Wednesday.
The president again called for unity and solidarity with those affected by the hurricanes on his Twitter account shortly after the visit was announced.
This is not just a crisis in Florida. Or in South Carolina. Or in Puerto Rico.
It’s a United States crisis.
We’ll do everything we can to get these communities back on their feet.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 2, 2022
