After spending most of Thursday as a tropical storm, Ian has re-upgraded to a hurricane as it takes aim at the South Carolina coastline. Ian is forecast to make landfall somewhere near Charleston, South Carolina around 2pm today. It will bring life-threatening flooding, storm surges and strong winds to parts of Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. As Ian heads toward South Carolina today, President Joe Biden has issued an emergency declaration for the state. “Ian could strengthen slightly before landfall and is forecast to weaken rapidly over the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday,” the advisory said. Dozens of rescue operations are underway across Florida after unprecedented flooding from one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the United States. Thousands of people are stranded across the state as Coast Guard helicopters were seen plucking people from rooftops after several feet of water surged through neighborhoods. About 2.5 million people were currently without power. Meanwhile, damage and economic losses caused by Hurricane Ian could reach $120 billion, according to a new estimate.

Basic points

Show latest update 1664514755

Timelapse video shows flash flooding on Florida island as Hurricane Ian builds dangerous storm surge

A time-lapse video of an intersection on the island begins with winds and heavy rain, but the road quickly gives way to rapids that completely cover the waist and rise halfway up a sign.

Video shows flash flooding on Florida island as Hurricane Ian brings storm surge

The area is expected to see a storm surge of up to 18 feet Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 06:12 1664514263

Sanibel mayor writes emotional letter after Ian: ‘Our lives and our island have been changed forever’

The mayor of a Florida island devastated by Hurricane Ian has written an emotional letter to residents, saying “Our lives and our island have been changed forever.” Sanibel Island is being cut off after the only bridge connecting it and Captiva to the mainland took the brunt of the historic hurricane and had sections ripped away. “I’m struggling to find the words to convey my feelings, as I’m sure most of us have been the way we’ve been looking for the last four days. All our lives and our island have been changed forever. What we do tomorrow and the days and months ahead will redefine and strengthen our community,” Mayor Holly Smith wrote. Read Ethan Freedman’s full story here:

Sanibel mayor writes emotional letter after island devastated by Hurricane Ian

A badly damaged bridge is the only way to access communities on Sanibel and Captiva islands Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 06:04 1664514216

ICYMI: Firefighters evacuate Orlando nursing home as Hurricane Ian ravages Florida

Firefighters evacuate Orlando nursing home as Hurricane Ian ravages Florida Graeme Massie30 September 2022 06:03 1664514017

ICYMI: Ian re-strengthens to a hurricane as it approaches South Carolina

Ian regained strength over the Atlantic Ocean and became a hurricane again, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm had been downgraded to a tropical storm as it weakened over Florida. Hurricane Ian is now forecast to hit South Carolina today as a Category 1 hurricane. Read the full story here:

Ian re-strengthens to a hurricane as it approaches South Carolina

The storm is expected to make landfall again on Friday Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 06:00 1664513852

Woman braves Hurricane Ian to check on stranger’s mom

Christine Bomlitz grew increasingly distraught as Hurricane Ian grew ferocious, sweeping through Southwest Florida on Wednesday. Hours passed, but there was still no word from her 84-year-old mother. Thursday morning came. The storm had long since drifted into the night. But still no word. Read the full piece here:

Woman braves Hurricane Ian to check on stranger’s mom

As Hurricane Ian swept through Southwest Florida, Christine Bomlitz worried Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 05:57 1664513339

Hurricane Ian sweeps away homes, memories on barrier islands

On the way to Fort Myers Beach, cars are left abandoned on the road where they stopped when Hurricane Ian’s storm surge flooded their engines and their drivers were unable to continue. Broken trees, boat trailers and other debris litter the road. It’s even worse in the seaside resort town, much of which was flattened by the strong winds and powerful storm surge caused by the Category 4 hurricane. Read the full story here:

Hurricane Ian sweeps away homes, memories on barrier islands

Cars are left abandoned where they stopped on the way to Fort Myers Beach when Hurricane Ian’s storm surge flooded their engines and their drivers were unable to continue Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 05:48 1664512373

Donald Trump avoids fraud lawsuit by staying in Florida as Hurricane Ian hits

Donald Trump avoided a fraud hearing by staying in Florida as Hurricane Ian made landfall. The former president was set to be impeached in a civil class-action lawsuit first filed in 2018. It accuses Trump, his children and the Trump Organization of deception and fraud. It is separate from the lawsuit filed earlier this month by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which similarly accuses Trump and others of fraud, for allegedly overstating his assets by billions of dollars. Read Andrew Buncombe’s full story here:

Trump avoids fraud filing by staying in Florida as Hurricane Ian hits

“I expressed some surprise – but they showed me they were flying down anyway” Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 05:32 1664511908

Don Lemon reprimanded for turning NOAA Hurricane Ian interview into climate crisis discussion

As Ian approached the US, Jamie Rome, the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, raised some eyebrows when he appeared to play down the storm’s connection to the climate crisis during an interview with CNN. Read the full story here:

Don Lemon reprimanded for turning NOAA Hurricane Ian interview into climate crisis discussion

The scientific consensus says that the climate crisis will worsen extreme weather events Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 05:25 1664511643

The study finds that climate change added 10% to Ian’s rainfall

A quick study by two scientists estimates that climate change made Hurricane Ian 10 percent wetter than it would have been had it not been for something like global warming. Read Seth Borenstein’s full article here:

The study finds that climate change added 10% to Ian’s rainfall

A quick study by two scientists calculates that climate change made Hurricane Ian 10% wetter than it would have been had it not been for something like global warming Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 05:20 1664511015

Why you shouldn’t stay in hurricane flood waters

As Hurricane Ian battered Florida with wind speeds of over 150 mph, many people shared videos of themselves swimming in the floodwaters. Read here to find out why you shouldn’t do the same:

Why you shouldn’t stay in hurricane flood waters

Many parts of Florida were left under water due to Hurricane Ian this week Maroosha Muzaffar30 September 2022 05:10