Hurricane Ian’s landfall is expected in South Carolina early Friday. First Florida deaths

Biden authorizes a huge disaster designation for Florida, where hundreds of fatalities are predicted.

Officials are still reviewing the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, but one county sheriff worries that the death toll will be high.

During an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Lee Area Sheriff Carmine Marceno claimed that the number of fatalities in his county was in the hundreds.

“I lack confirmed number information. I am certain that the number of fatalities is in the hundreds. There are thousands of individuals in need of rescue “Marceno, a Republican, stated. His county consists of Fort Myers.

The precise amount will not be determined for some days. In the aftermath of earlier hurricanes, officials have overstated the number of fatalities when they check homes one by one.

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told CNN that there had been no confirmed reports of fatalities.

“I am aware that certain sheriffs have stated that they anticipate a big number of fatalities, which is why we intend to deploy our search and rescue teams. That is why they are present “She stated, We wish to save the greatest number of lives possible.

—Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton)

September 29, 2022

During a press conference in Tallahassee on Thursday morning, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis echoed Criswell’s statement that it would take at least a day to confirm fatalities.

“None of that is confirmed,” he stated in response to the sheriff’s claims of fatalities. “There were 911 calls from folks stating, “Hey, the water level in my house is rising.” I’m heading to the attic, but I’m quite anxious. Obviously, those people will now be investigated.”

DeSantis stated that two deaths have been reported so far, but investigators were still determining if they were storm-related.

State and local officials encouraged more than 2.5 million residents in the path of the storm to evacuate, but some chose to remain. Others were unable to depart due to financial constraints, illness, or lack of transportation.

Thursday morning, President Joe Biden approved DeSantis’ request for a major disaster declaration. The designation would fund, among other rehabilitation activities, temporary accommodation and house repairs for anyone harmed by the hurricane.

The congressional delegation from Florida, including Democrats, supported DeSantis’ request. Biden and DeSantis spoke Thursday morning. Given that the storm was still moving and wreaking damage, the governor stated that he would appeal for more counties to receive a state of emergency.

He predicted that Central Florida, including Orlando, would experience severe flooding.

DeSantis stated, “Rebuilding and making a comeback will need years of effort.”

Friday, Criswell will travel to Florida, the White House said in a readout of Biden and DeSantis’ conversation.