Ian strengthens to hurricane again after pummeling Florida, now headed for Carolinas, Georgia
Ian Strengthens to Hurricane Again After Pummeling Florida, 2 Million People Without Power
Ian strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Thursday afternoon. It is now moving across Florida, headed toward Georgia and the Carolinas where it is expected to make landfall Friday. More than 2 million people are without power. Fox News is updating with the latest news surrounding the storm, its impact, travel and emergency updates.
FOX News reports:
The National Hurricane Center on Thursday warned of indirect fatalities as a result of Hurricane Ian.
At an advisory update, Jamie Rhome, Acting NHC Director, said carbon monoxide poisoning was statistically responsible for the most deaths during recovery efforts. Rhome said many people will run generators in the absence of power, but keep them inside for fear of them being stolen.
“This is a colorless, odorless gas so you’re not going to get a warning. You’re not going to get a smell,” Rhome said. “So please be very careful if you’ve never run a generator before.”
Biden approves South Carolina emergency declaration
Joe Biden has ordered federal assistance to help alleviate emergency conditions in South Carolina resulting from Hurricane Ian.
Biden’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate disaster relief efforts with state and local governments to provide appropriate assistance to those suffering, to save lives, and to protect property and public health and safety, the White House said.
The assistance is also determined to help avert a catastrophe in all 46 South Carolina counties.
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding,” a statement from the White House read.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell named Kevin Wallace Sr. as the Federal Coordinating Officer for these federal recovery operations.
