Hurricane Ian Death Toll in Florida: 21 Fatalities Recorded as Rescue Efforts Continue
Florida has just experienced one of the strongest hurricanes in U.S. history, as Hurricane Ian slammed into the Sunshine State with record winds. Now, as federal and local responders gain access to some areas with the rains dying down, the death toll has now risen as more bodies are found.
According to Florida officials, the Hurricane Ian death toll in the state has now reached 21. Search and rescue teams are now combing through the wreckage in Ian's path as they search for survivors.
Hundreds of Survivors Rescued as Hurricane Ian Made Its Way Through Florida
Search and rescue crews, aided by federal and local responders, have already managed to perform over 700 rescues so far. They have also made contact with around 3,000 people who have sheltered in place as the hurricane passed.
Thr rescuers continue their search for people who may have been trapped by the severe flooding. According to Politico, they are going house-to-house in some areas, and are using a grid system to make sure that they did not miss anybody.
In one particular incident, a rescue diver encountered a home submerged in the flood. The diver saw what appeared to be human remains, but officials won't be able to confirm this until the flood waters reside.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie stated that they have to be transparent about the search and rescue efforts, and stated that right now, they still do not know the exact number of people who died in the hurricane.
Ron DeSantis Showing That He Could Put Aside Differences and Work With Joe Biden
Despite all his political stunts and criticisms of the Biden administration, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has managed to work with the Biden administration in coordinating search and rescue, as well as relief efforts for the people of Florida. He and Biden have talked several times, coordinating efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Ian.
"At the end of the day, I view this as something that you've got folks that are in need, and local, federal and state, we need to work together," DeSantis stated last Thursday. He also expressed his appreciation that FEMA granted every aid request he made and even welcomed the agency's director to travel.
However, the Associated Press noted that this shift in tone from the governor is temporary, as in a previous tragedy when he appeared alongside President Joe Biden in a briefing with first responders to survey the damage at a 12-story condo building in Surfside, Florida, which collapsed last year and killed 98 people. He praised Biden for his assistance but returned to partisan attacks just a few months later.
As for Ian, The Weather Channel has reported that it is now a tropical storm strength system moving northward through the Carolinas. Heavy rainfall with gusty winds, as well as a few tornadoes are expected to continue from the Appalachians to the mid-Atlantic.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Latest on damage from Hurricane Ian l GMA