Hurricane Ian: Revived storm pounds South Carolina as death toll rises to 27

A revived Hurricane Ian battered South Carolina, bringing heavy rains and flooded streets as the death toll in the US from one of its costliest storms climbed to 27.

The storm barrelled through western Cuba and raked across Florida before gathering strength in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean to curve back and strike South Carolina.

While the storm was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone earlier on Friday, the agency warned river flooding will continue through next week across central Florida. Meanwhile, president Joe Biden has issued an emergency declaration for South Carolina.

The storm hit Florida as one of the most powerful hurricanes in the state’s history, with wind speeds nearly reaching Category 5.

Nearly 2 million people in Florida were left without power – and economic losses could amount to $120bn, according to an estimate.

Key Points
·        Revived storm batters South Carolina

·        Ian downgraded to post tropical storm

·        Hurrican Ian aftermath: Death toll rises to 27

·        Nearly 2 million people without power in Florida and Carolinas

·        President Biden issues emergency declaration in South Carolina

Hurricane Ian death toll rises
The National Hurricane Center has issued a warning to those using generators as more than 2.6 million people in Florida remained without power.

“Many residents in Florida are starting recovery in the aftermath of #Ian & many will use Generators to provide power,” the agency tweeted on Thursday.

“We want to stress these Generator safety tips. Unfortunately, many indirect fatalities in hurricanes have occured after the fact due to improper generator use.”

Watch as President Joe Biden receives an update on Hurricane Ian’s destructive path across Florida.

The mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, is asking his city to shut down on Friday as storm Ian approaches.

“There will be water tomorrow in this city,” Mayor John Tecklenburg said.

No evacuations have been ordered in South Carolina, with Ian forecast to make landfall a second time on Friday along the state’s coast as a minimal hurricane.

Forecasters warn several feet of ocean water could surge into low areas along the coast, like Charleston.

The flooding could rival or even slightly exceed recent hurricanes.

Source: The Independent