'This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history' - POLITICO

Biden declared a major disaster in Florida as Tropical Storm Ian swept across the state, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

— President Joe Biden on Thursday said there are early reports that Tropical Storm Ian caused substantial loss of life in Florida, as state and federal officials continued to help thousands of people affected by the catastrophic storm.

“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history,” Biden said during a Federal Emergency Management Agency briefing.

The deadliest hurricane in Florida history was the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, which killed more than 2,500 in the state.

The storm, which at one point was a Category 4 hurricane, unleashed winds of 150 mph when it made landfall on Wednesday, causing what DeSantis described as a “500-year flood event.” At least 15,000 people are currently sheltering in place.

“Lee and Charlotte [counties] are basically off the grid at this point,” DeSantis said Thursday.

Biden also declared a major disaster in Florida, which brings with it federal aid to supplement state, local and tribal recovery efforts in areas affected by the storm.

The governor and Biden spoke Thursday morning about the storm after Biden declared Ian a major disaster, opening up more aid for the state and individual assistance to residents of nine counties.

The storm is expected to leave Florida as early as Thursday.

Criswell said Thursday that “we have some reports on fatalities” in Lee County, including from the local sheriff, and that “they expect the number to go up.” Criswell added she hadn’t heard of many fatalities in other parts of Florida throughout the night, “but I think as soon as daylight comes and the first responders continue to get out there, we’re going to continue to get more information.”.

“What I know right now is Lee County was basically ground zero for the impacts that were seen from Hurricane Ian,” Criswell said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “And we know that we are going to have catastrophic impacts to that area.”.

The FEMA administrator said officials will gather post-storm imagery as soon as it’s safe to fly to further assess the greatest areas of impact and “get boots on the ground in the areas of greatest need.” Search and rescue teams worked throughout the night as individuals called 911 to report they were being trapped by the storm and needed rescue, and those crews will continue to deploy Thursday as officials prepare for the storm’s toll on the eastern coast of Florida, Criswell said.

The White House said in its disaster declaration that damage assessments are continuing in other areas of the state, ”and additional areas may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.”.

Biden’s approval comes a day after DeSantis officially requested the disaster declaration for the entire state.