9/29/2022
RawNews1st – Hurricane Ian tore through Southwestern Florida and moved across the state, causing catastrophic flooding and damage.
The National Weather Service’s latest forecast showed that Ian’s winds were at 112 km/h, just shy of hurricane force. The warm Atlantic waters are expected to help it gather strength as it curves back toward the U.S. coast.
Floodwaters rose waist-high near Orlando, Fla., far inland, and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 665 kilometres from the centre. Up to 30 centimetres of rain were forecast for parts of northeast Florida, coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
As much as 15 centimetres could fall in southern Virginia as the storm moves inland over the Carolinas, and the centre said landslides were possible in the southern Appalachian mountains.
Ian turned streets into rivers and blew down trees as it slammed into southwest Florida with 241 km/h winds, tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever strike the U.S., when measured by wind speed.
Authorities confirmed at least one storm-related death in Florida — a 72-year-old man in Deltona who fell into a canal while using a hose to drain his pool in the heavy rain, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.
U.S. President Joe Biden approved federal disaster funds for nine Florida counties and the White House said on Thursday more areas could be approved as damage is assessed.
Note: Storm surge got into our WINK studios in Fort Myers, flooded the entire first floor. Lost power and was unable to continue broadcasting on tv/radio.
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