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. The National Hurricane Center said in its briefing at 5 p.m. ET that Hurricane Ian is “targeting the Carolinas and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge and strong winds.” The hurricane is now moving north-northwest at about 10 mph with maximum sustained winds increasing to 75 mph with strong gusts. “Ian could strengthen slightly before landfall tomorrow 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 poured into neighborhoods. About 2.5 million people were currently without power. Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis described the hurricane as a “500-year flood” and said major infrastructure was severely damaged, including the Sanibel Causeway in southwest Florida and the bridge to Pine Island, near Fort Myers. President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Florida after the devastating effects. “This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” he said later during a briefing at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters.

Basic points

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Latest photos of the Florida devastation from Ian

In an aerial view, a damaged Fort Myers Beach pier and surrounding buildings are seen after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. (Getty Images) Graeme Massie29 September 2022 22:31 1664486491

Ian upgraded to a hurricane once again

After spending most of Thursday as a tropical storm, Ian was upgraded back to a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center said in its briefing at 5 p.m. ET that Hurricane Ian is “targeting the Carolinas and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge and strong winds.” The hurricane is now moving north-northwest at about 10 mph with maximum sustained winds increasing to 75 mph with strong gusts. “Ian could strengthen slightly before landfall tomorrow and is forecast to weaken rapidly over the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday,” the advisory said. Hurricane #Ian Advisory 29: Ian becomes a hurricane again. Targeting the Carolinas and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surges and high winds. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2022 Graeme Massie29 September 2022 22:21 1664486436

FCC Says Ian Blocked Over 1,500 Cell Phone Sites In Florida

That number represents about 11 percent of cell sites in the state, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Lee County, where Hurricane Ian made landfall on Wednesday, reported 65 percent of hive sites were cleared by the storm. Graeme Massie29 September 2022 22:20 1664485836

Charleston, SC residents urged to stay home as Hurricane Ian heads for city: ‘Take this storm seriously’

The storm could bring up to seven feet of storm surge to the South Carolina coast.

Charleston residents urged to stay home as Hurricane Ian heads toward the city

The storm could bring up to seven feet of storm surge to the South Carolina coast Graeme Massie29 September 2022 22:10 1664485116

Disney World in Orlando will reopen on Friday

The Walt Disney Company says it will confirm exact hours of operation later Thursday. “While the theme parks and many operating areas remain closed to guests today, we expect improving weather conditions tonight,” the company said in a statement Thursday. “Walt Disney World Resort will resume theme park and Disney Springs operations in a phased approach beginning Friday, September 30.” Graeme Massie29 September 2022 21:58 1664484636

Recovery in Naples could take weeks or even months, city official says

City Manager Jay Boodheshwar said Naples had seen extensive damage and a conservative estimate of total damage was more than $200 million. Mr. Boodheshwar said damage to city property alone was estimated at about $20 million. Graeme Massie29 September 2022 21:50 1664484115

Firefighters evacuate Orlando nursing home as Hurricane Ian ravages Florida

Firefighters evacuate Orlando nursing home as Hurricane Ian ravages Florida Graeme Massie29 September 2022 21:41 1664482610

Climate Aerial photos capture Hurricane Ian’s devastation on Florida coast

Thousands are stranded in Florida while more than 2.6 million people are without power. Ian has been downgraded to a tropical storm – but forecasters warn the danger is not over.

Aerial photos capture the devastation of Hurricane Ian on the Florida coast

Thousands are stranded in Florida while more than 2.6 million people are without power. Ian has been downgraded to a tropical storm – but forecasters warn danger is not over Graeme Massie29 September 2022 21:16 1664481156

The Fort Myers Pier was destroyed by Ian

The extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Ian can be seen in a before-and-after photo of the Fort Myers Pier posted to social media by Weather.com’s Sean Breslin. Graeme Massie29 September 2022 20:52 1664480496

Elon Musk Pulled For Using Hurricane Ian’s Carnage To Promote ‘Waterproof’ Tesla Cybertruck

“You literally say anything to get attention and grab headlines,” one wrote in response to the billionaire’s claim. Bevan Hurley has the story.

Elon Musk Dragged for Using Hurricane Ian’s Carnage to Promote Tesla Cybertruck

“Just saying literally anything to get attention and grab headlines,” wrote one in response to Musk’s claim. Graeme Massie29 September 2022 20:41