Hurricane Ian: Here's what we know about the casualties and damages

CNN reports that over 100 people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in the State of Florida, and South Carolina.
The storm is headed north towards Washington and New York, and although the storm has been downgraded to a cyclone, officials warn that it is still dangerous.

Comparison with a ‘A-bomb’, 10,000 people still unaccounted for

The aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Florida and South Carolina is likened to an ‘A-bomb’ explosion, by Sky News.

The latest report suggests 10,000 people are still unaccounted, authorities believe the overarching majority of people are either still seeking shelter elsewhere or do not have electricity or wifi. Sky News reveals that 1.1 million people remain to be reconnected to the grid.

Florida and South Carolina are reeling in relief efforts. Last week, US President Bidendeclared a state of emergency for the State of Florida, authorising the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts.

According to the American Red Cross, 1,300 disaster workers are supporting relief efforts in providing food and shelter for the homeless across five states, Sky News reports.

In addition, The Governor of Florida, Ron de Santis, reports that billionaire Elon Musk from SpaceX will be availing the StarLink networkto provide satellite internet over the state. Meanwhile other celebrities are joining relief efforts by donating and strengthening the resolve, including Tom Brady.

The damages exceed $100 billion

According to the Wall Street Journal, the economic cost of Hurricane Ian already exceeds $100 billion in terms of uninsured private properties, ruined infrastructure, and clean-up costs.

US President Biden and the first lady Jill Biden, had scheduled a visit to Puerto Rico yesterday and will be visiting the State of Florida on Wednesday to survey the affected areas, meet officials, and comfort survivors, the WSJ reports.

The overarching number of victims thus far has been identified in Lee County, Florida, including the communities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral which have borne the brunt of Hurricane Ian. The local authorities there have become the subject of great criticism for having declared an evacuation order merely on the day of Hurricane Ian’s landfall.

Most of the victims drowned, but there are also cases of elderly who lost access to their oxygen machines due to the power outage.

According to Sky News, Hurricane Ian has terrorised millions of people. Anthony Riviera, a local resident described scenes of horror, as he battled with rising water and the storm surge, while trying desperately to save his grandmother and girlfriend.

The storm had washed up a boat adjacent to his apartment. Riviera said:

That's the scariest thing in the world because I can't stop no boat, I'm not Superman

According to Sky News, many residents described scenes of utter dismay and irreparable damages to their lives. For many the real problems ensued when the outages of utilities began. Similarly, people have been protesting in Havana, Cuba, due to the ongoing blackouts there.

There is also a new weather storm on the horizon heading to Mexico’s northwestern Pacific coast, which the US National Hurricane Center branded Hurricane Orlene, and was expected to make landfall with winds of 75 mph (120 kmh).

Sources used:

-Sky News: ‘Hurricane Ian: 'Treacherous' storm heads for Washington and New York, as toll reaches 87’

-White House: ‘President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Florida Disaster Declaration’

-Wall Street Journal: ‘Hurricane Ian Destroys Swaths of Florida as Residents Face Uncertain Aftermath’

- CNN: 'Death toll from Hurricane Ian surpasses 100 as the search for survivors continues in Florida'

Read more:

⋙ Hurricane Ian batters Florida: Here's how to stay safe during a tropical storm

⋙ Hurricane Danielle is the first of the season, here’s what to expect

⋙ Storm Franklin: Why are there so many storms in the UK right now?