Florida residents endure flooding, lost power, and more catastrophic damage as Hurricane Ian makes its way up the east coast of the United States. Follow Breitbart News for live updates on this breaking story. All times eastern.
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2:52 PM — Aerial shots show more damaged homes in Fort Myers, Florida.
An aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers, Florida, as the destruction left by Hurricane Ian begins to come into focus a day after the storm made landfall in southwest Florida.
Follow live updates on the storm: https://t.co/414djqnszs pic.twitter.com/t8xQ15yEIr
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 29, 2022
Fort Myers Beach, before and after Hurricane Ian.
📷: @JulieMartinTV and Google Earth pic.twitter.com/V8Uh7YUVdg
— Drew (@DrewMacFarlane) September 29, 2022
2:42 PM — The governor is advising Floridians who evacuated for the storm not to rush home, as crews are working to restore power.
As #HurricaneIan passes, do not rush to come home—we have crews working to clear the roads and restore power. Avoid downed power lines, flood water, downed trees, and do not drive in standing water.
Follow @FLSERT for up-to-date information.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 29, 2022
2:08 PM — Speaking from Charlotte County, Florida’s first lady Casey DeSantis detailed relief efforts in the state, touting www.FloridaDisasterFund.org.
“You can donate there, it’s a 501(c)(3). Why that’s important again, is because we can take those resources and micro target them and get them directly to the ground as quickly and efficiently as possible” she said.
“So I said tomorrow, this morning, and I reiterate this, we’re going to cut through any red tape and bureaucracy because we know people need those funds and they need help,” she added.
On behalf of @RonDeSantisFL, I want to thank everyone across FL and across our nation who offered their support for Floridians who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Text DISASTER to 20222 or visit https://t.co/z4rg8p5AyF to help.
Please continue to keep FL in your prayers.
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) September 29, 2022
2:01 PM — DeSantis is delivering a 2 o’clock update on the storm.
1:42 PM — Video shows storm surge flooding the entire first floor of WINK studios in Fort Myers.
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. No timetable on return to air. #Ian was the strongest hurricane in Southwest Florida history. Widespread destruction heading home. pic.twitter.com/w6is0EXcpD
— Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWINK) September 29, 2022
1:27 PM — Mike’s Weather Page, a trusted source for over one million Facebook followers and countless Floridians, posted an image of current watches and warnings, noting that Ian is likely to strengthen back into a hurricane before its second landfall.
1:20 PM — More alarming images are emerging from southwest Florida in the aftermath of Ian.
More apocalyptic scenes emerging from southwestern Florida, courtesy of the @AP: pic.twitter.com/zD55itlFXK
— Sean Breslin (@Sean_Breslin) September 29, 2022
Before and after of the Fort Myers Beach Pier pic.twitter.com/rT6zWXjQR4
— Sean Breslin (@Sean_Breslin) September 29, 2022
1:17 PM — Photos show individuals kayaking on the streets of downtown St. Augustine as Tropical Storm Ian hugs the coast.
12:44 PM — A Florida Weather Center post shows the aftermath of a tornado in Florida’s Broward County, toppling small aircraft.
12:24 PM — Part of the Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island and Captiva to the Sunshine State’s mainland, has collapsed as a result of the storm:
A section of the Sanibel Causeway has collapsed. It’s the only way for vehicles to enter/exit Sanibel & Captiva. #Ian pic.twitter.com/Sfqhf94ju2
— Bryan Bennett (@weatherbryan) September 29, 2022
SANIBEL CAUSEWAY I Here is some footage of a portion of the Sanibel Causeway that has collapsed. https://t.co/PxGsA2ZCYO pic.twitter.com/SzYFDEi5zo
— Fox 4 News (@Fox4Now) September 29, 2022
Big chunk of the Sanibel Causeway collapsed from #Ian. It is the only way on and off the island by car. pic.twitter.com/36odKLvnHr
— Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@PaulFox13) September 29, 2022
12:18 PM — Photos show the severity of flooding in St. Augustine, as much of historic downtown appears to be underwater during high tide.
12:08 PM — More footage shows the devastating aftermath of Ian in Fort Myers, with debris laying all over the ground alongside damaged buildings.
Close to where that surge cam from yesterday was. #Ian https://t.co/3bliTST6Rw
— Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 29, 2022
More Footage from Fort Myers Beach #HurricaneIan #Ian #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/C42pNLLsWQ
— Smurph (@swmurfl) September 29, 2022
12:03 PM — Flash flood warnings are also in effect for Southeastern St. Johns County.
Areas include: Saint Augustine, Saint Augustine Beach, Saint Augustine Shores, Saint Augustine South, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, Vilano Beach, Dupont Center and Anastasia, per the National Weather Service.
12:01 PM — Winds are picking up on Florida’s east coast. Daytona Beach airport reported a gust of 81 mph.
Daytona Beach airport just gusted to 81mph…
Sanford to 61mph…
— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 29, 2022
61mph wind gust just reported in Sanford.
— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 29, 2022
11:42 AM — Search and rescue operations have been underway since 1 a.m., per the governor.
Since 1AM, search and rescue operations have been underway in response to #HurricaneIan.
Thanks to @FLTF2USAR for being the first on-site and to the U.S. Coast Guard for their great efforts.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 29, 2022
11:38 AM — Video shows the aftermath of Ian in Fort Myers Beach and what appears to be the remains of the pier.
Video Credit @TalkBeach
— Vikeologist™ (@Vikeologist) September 29, 2022
What’s left of the pier in Fort Myers Beach pic.twitter.com/h0MqQ4w6aJ
— Vikeologist™ (@Vikeologist) September 29, 2022
11:21 AM –– A hurricane warning has now been issued for South Carolina’s coast, per the NHCs latest advisory.
“Hurricane conditions are possible by tonight along the coasts of northeastern Florida and Georgia, where a Hurricane Watch is in effect,” the update reads.
Tropical Storm #Ian Advisory 28: Hurricane Warning Issued For the Entire Coast of South Carolina With Ian. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2022
11:02 AM — Images and videos are circulating across social media, showcasing some of the aftermath of Ian in southwest Florida. One video shows gas pumps in Port Charlotte completely crushed.
Some of the more spectacular gas-station-canopy destruction I’ve seen. The pumps underneath were crushed almost to dust. In Port Charlotte. #Hurricane #IAN pic.twitter.com/nh4oupQAot
— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) September 29, 2022
In Port Charlotte to report on #Ian for @business. Going to be hard to find gas here. Destruction everywhere pic.twitter.com/bd2uxXaGfR
— Will Wade (@willwwade) September 29, 2022
FIRST LOOK: Aerials in Port Charlotte, Florida, show severe structural damage and flooding in the wake of Hurricane #Ian: https://t.co/rHMEPjPhjM
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) September 29, 2022
10:44 AM — President Biden is sending his FEMA administrator to Florida on Friday to “check in on response efforts and see where additional support is needed,” per White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The President told the Governor he is sending his FEMA Administrator to Florida tomorrow to check in on response efforts and see where additional support is needed. The President and Governor committed to continued close coordination.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) September 29, 2022
10:20 AM — The governor described the storm as “basically a 500 year flood event.”
“Right now if you look in Central Florida, you’re looking at potential major flooding … in Seminole County’s St. Johns River all the way up potentially into Northeast Florida in Jacksonville,” he said.
“The amount of water that’s been rising and will likely continue to rise today even as the storm is passing is basically a 500 year flood event,” he added.
10:04 AM — DeSantis said they have received a major disaster declaration for nine counties, but they expect more.
“I just spoke with the President this morning. He offered support. I told them that thanks for this but because the storm has moved inland and caused a lot of potential damage in the center part of our state, that we’re going to be asking for those counties to be expanded and included there,” DeSantis said.
9:57 AM –– Columnist Craig Pittman is yet another who has attempted to politicize the storm, contending in a Florida Phoenix op-ed that the governor is “afraid” to mention the term “climate change.” In fact, the title of his entire diatribe is “A vote to reelect Florida Gov. DeSantis is a vote for more Hurricane Ians.”
Column: A vote to re-elect #Florida @GovRonDeSantis is a vote for hurricanes like #HurricaneIan. My latest for @FLPhoenixNews also features shout-outs to Megan Thee Stallion, Harry Potter and Aaron Judge. https://t.co/seCuLtpgAq #climate
— Craig Pittman (@craigtimes) September 29, 2022
“As our hurricanes grow stronger, our storm surges get higher because of sea level rise and our rainfall grows heavier because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, but don’t expect him to do diddly about it,” he wrote, concluding that the governor is “in favor of all those things.”
As Breitbart News has detailed, DeSantis’s team has dismissed such claims, consistently reminding leftists that Florida has experienced hurricanes “throughout recorded history.”
9:50 AM –– Sarasota County and Lee County, which DeSantis said are essentially “off the grid,” will likely require a rebuilding of infrastructure to reconnect power.
“Sarasota has a quarter of a million without power. Hillsborough 222,000. Pinellas 150,000. Manatee 129,000 The Charlotte and Lee reconnects are really going to likely have to be rebuilding of that infrastructure,” he said, noting that crews are on their way now.
“But that’s going to be more than just connecting a power line back to back to a pole,” he said. “The other counties likely are not going to require the extent of the structural rebuild, but of course that’s going to be assessed as the day goes on.”
9:41 AM — DeSantis confirmed reports of 2.02 million power outages across the state thus far.
“Lee and Charlotte are basically off the grid at this point,” he said during this morning’s press conference.
9:34 AM — Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered an 8:45 update and said first responders descended on southwest Florida as soon as the storm passed. He said the Coast Guard has been performing rescue missions and Florida National Guard assets are participating.
9:09 AM — Florida residents have reported over 2 million power outages — 2,021,206 — per the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s latest update.
The 6AM update reports 2,021,206 power outages as a result of damages caused by #HurricaneIan.
Restoration crews are beginning to deploy into impacted areas. For estimated restoration times, please contact your service provider. pic.twitter.com/wbqX5dLdtj
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) September 29, 2022
9:05 AM — Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno — Lee County is where the then-hurricane made landfall — told ABC’s Good Morning America that the “fatalities are in the hundreds.” That number has not been confirmed.
“There are thousands of people that are waiting to be rescued, “ he said, adding that they cannot give a “true assessment until we’re actually on scene.”
Hoping he’s wrong, but Lee County, Fla. Sheriff Carmine Marceno says it’s “confirmed” there are “fatalities in the hundreds” #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/WtJCfWPwb4
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 29, 2022
9:01 AM – Ian has weakened to a Tropical Storm.
Tropical Storm #Ian Advisory 27A: Ian Producing Catastrophic Flooding Over East-Central Florida. Forecast to Produce Life-Threatening Flooding, Storm Surge and Gusty Winds Across Portions of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2022
