The US President declared a “major disaster” in Florida as Hurricane Ian reportedly caused “significant loss of life”
Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida on Wednesday, may turn out to be the “deadliest” storm in the southern state’s history, US President Joe Biden warned on Thursday.
Speaking after a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials, Biden said that the number of casualties is still unclear, but the early reports suggest that there “may be substantial loss of life.”
“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” the US leader said.
Earlier on Thursday, the president had declared a “major disaster” in the state, making federal funding available to local authorities and organizations involved in recovery efforts.
Currently in Fort Myers, Florida. Video by Loni Architects #flwx #Ian #hurricane pic.twitter.com/8nfncFlG9G
— Kaitlin Wright (@wxkaitlin) September 28, 2022
On Thursday morning, as the devastating hurricane barrelled through the state, leaving towns under water, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said that “fatalities are in the hundreds.” Thousands of people “are waiting to be rescued,” the official said, adding the storm was “a life-changing event for all of us.”
