Gov. DeSantis Delivers Update on Hurricane Ian https://t.co/HDqb2SaOC8
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 27, 2022
The storm arrived on September 23, 2022 with wind speed as high as 162 mph. NOAA found that victims ranged in age from 6 to 101 years old, but the median age of storm-related deaths was 72.
“By addressing private and commercial debris removal far sooner than in prior disasters, we are building the foundation for a swift recovery,” DeSantis said. “I am also happy to announce temporary housing that will give displaced individuals the time they need to take a breath and evaluate their next steps without worrying about where they will sleep at night.”
NOAA found that more than 4.4 million customers, or about 9 million people, lost power in the U.S. during Hurricane Ian from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. Florida led the way in power outages with more than 3 million customers, with thousands more in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
“Together with FEMA, under the Governor’s leadership, we are expediting debris removal and launching a direct housing program that will help more people who want to stay on their property while rebuilding,” said Senate President Designate Kathleen Passidomo. “These announcements represent tremendous progress in our efforts to rebuild Southwest Florida. I am proud of Governor DeSantis for working with FEMA to cut the red tape and move forward with debris removal from private and commercial property as well as critical direct housing assistance quicker than we ever thought possible.”
The highest rainfall total from Hurricane Ian was almost 27 inches (68 centimeters) at Grove City, Florida, just north of the landfall location at Cayo Costa. Rainfall between 10 and 20 inches (25 and 50 centimeters) was widespread across Florida.
The amount of rainfall that Florida receives during a hurricane can vary depending on a number of factors, including the strength of the storm, its speed, and its path.
For example, during Hurricane Irma in 2017, some parts of Florida received more than 20 inches of rainfall over a period of several days. This led to widespread flooding and other types of damage, particularly in low-lying areas.
Other hurricanes that have caused significant rainfall in Florida include Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In general, the coastal areas of Florida are more likely to experience heavy rainfall during a hurricane, but the entire state can be impacted by these storms.
It’s important for residents of Florida to take hurricane warnings seriously and to prepare for the possibility of heavy rainfall, flooding, and other types of damage. This can include making sure that your home is properly fortified, having a plan for evacuation if necessary, and having an emergency kit on hand with essentials such as food, water, and first aid supplies.
More than $109 billion of the estimated $112 billion in storm damages happened in Florida, with more than 52,000 structures impacted in Lee County alone and 5,369 completely destroyed. Inland flooding from swollen rivers, some at record levels, damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings in several central Florida counties.
“In general, storms that parallel a coastline tend to be more challenging to predict because a small change in heading can cause large differences in the landfall location,” the NOAA report says. “Ian was an example of this particular challenge.”
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