Hurricane Ian accelerates toward South Carolina coast as death toll rises to 21 in Florida

By Xinhua Published: Oct 01, 2022 10:09 PM

Photo taken on Sep 30, 2022 shows the aftermath of hurricane Ian in town of Summerville, South Carolina, the United States. Ian made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on the coast of the southeastern US state of South Carolina on Friday afternoon. Photo:Xinhua

Hurricane Ian is accelerating toward the coast of the southeastern US state of South Carolina on Friday.

Ian, a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour, is about 95 kilometers east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, according to the latest advisory published by the US National Hurricane Center before noon.

The center of the hurricane will reach the coast of South Carolina later on Friday and then move farther inland across eastern South Carolina and central North Carolina.

Life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds are expected along the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina.

Charleston officials said on Friday that the city is experiencing the early impacts of Ian, with some roads already closed.

Emergency management authorities recommend residents of Charleston stay at home or in a safe place throughout the storm.

Ian made landfall in southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon, bringing catastrophic storm surges, heavy rains and destructive winds, and dangerous flooding to both coast and inland areas.

Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie told reporters on Friday that there have been 21 deaths reported so far in the state due to Ian.

As of Friday noon, nearly 2 million customers remain without power in Florida, according to PowerOutage.us.
Photo taken on Sep 30, 2022 shows the aftermath of hurricane Ian in town of Summerville, South Carolina, the United States. Ian made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on the coast of the southeastern US state of South Carolina on Friday afternoon. Photo:Xinhua