With the death toll from Hurricane Ian rising and hundreds of thousands of people without power in Florida and the Carolinas, U.S. officials vowed Sunday to unleash an unprecedented amount of federal disaster aid.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — With the death toll from Hurricane Ian rising and hundreds of thousands of people without power in Florida and the Carolinas, U.S. officials vowed Sunday to unleash an unprecedented amount of federal disaster aid as crews scrambled to rescue people still trapped by floodwaters.
Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said the federal government was ready to help in a huge way, focusing first on victims in Florida, which took the brunt of one of the strongest storms to make landfall in the United States. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden plan to visit the state on Wednesday.
Even so, recovery will take time, said Criswell, who visited the state on Friday and Saturday to assess the damage and talk to survivors. She cautioned that dangers remain. In rural Seminole County, north of Orlando, residents donned waders, boots and bug spray to paddle to their flooded homes on Sunday.“I think it’s going to get worse because all of this water has to get to the lake” said Bertat, pointing to the water flooding a nearby road. “With ground saturation, all this swamp is full and it just can’t take any more water. It doesn’t look like it’s getting any lower.
The bridge to Pine Island, the largest barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast, was destroyed by the storm, leaving it accessible only by boat or air. Some flew out by helicopter.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FEMA director says rescues proceeding ‘house to house’ after Hurricane IanRescue attempts in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s widespread destruction are continuing “house to house” and recovery efforts will require an “all-of-government…
Read more »
How to help those impacted by Hurricane IanOrganizations like the Florida Disaster Fund are mobilizing to help in Hurricane Ian's aftermath.
Read more »
Woman uses social media to help find mom whose home flooded in Hurricane IanA Florida woman had an emotional reunion with her 78-year-old mother after using social media to find her in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
Read more »
Waffle House hurricane index: How restaurant works with FEMA during disasters11 locations in mandatory evacuation zones in Florida closed ahead of Hurricane Ian.
Read more »
After Ian, river flooding menaces Florida inland townsHurricane Ian ravaged coastal towns in southwest Florida
Read more »