Hurricane Ian latest update: Tropical Storm regains strength as a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches South Carolina

The damage and economic losses caused by Hurricane Ian could reach up to $120 billion, according to a new estimate.

AccuWeather founder and CEO, Dr. Joel N. Myers, said in a press release that “Ian will descend as one of the most damaging and impactful storms in U.S. history, along with Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which caused a total of $190 billion in damages and losses. Economics, Irma ($80 billion); Sandy in 2012 ($210 billion); Katrina in 2005, ($320 billion), as adjusted for inflation.”

ICYMI: The host team announced that Sunday’s NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs will go ahead in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

“We have informed the NFL, after consulting with local and state agencies, that we are ready to play Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium as originally scheduled,” the team said in a statement.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 8.20pm ET.

“We would like to thank all of the local government agencies and the thousands of emergency personnel who have worked tirelessly over the past few days to ensure that our area will be ready to respond if needed. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Miami Dolphins for their assistance and hospitality in allowing us to use their training facilities. this week.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the thousands in southwest Florida who were hard hit by Hurricane Ian. We are also grateful that the Tampa Bay area survived the most damaging consequences of this powerful storm.”

ICYMI: Hurricane Ian caused widespread devastation to Florida, with many areas facing months or years of rebuilding, and for many residents, the recovery process could be lengthy without proper flood insurance, property insurance or other damage compensation.

Our Ethan Friedman has the details.

About 200 families remained on the island during Hurricane Ian, and Mayor Holly Smith says two people died.

Rescuers took 40 people off the island, which was cut off after its bridge collapsed, by boat on Thursday. The mayor said 12 of those were injured during the storm.

ICYMI: Donald Trump He turned to social media to demand donations to his political campaign as part of Florida The following rescue and recovery efforts have begun Hurricane Ian.

speaking in video Wednesday of his country Mar Ago In Palm Beach, South Florida, the former president called for donations to be made to Save America PAC before the fundraising deadline.

“We have a big fundraising deadline coming up and there’s never been a time like this,” said Mr. Trump, who has claimed that America has “never been the object of contempt” by the world.

The former president was due to be impeached in a civil lawsuit first filed in 2018.

“Search and Rescue Update: As of 2:00 p.m. (EDT), more than 500 individuals have been rescued in Charlotte and Lee counties since operations began this morning. Search and rescue efforts are underway in affected areas,” the state emergency department tweeted Thursday. .

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County on Wednesday as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds, while Charlotte County is to the north.

The analysis by researchers Kevin Reed of Stony Brook University and Michael Weiner of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has not yet been reviewed, but they say they used the same methodology in their study of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, which it was.

The resort’s four theme parks closed Wednesday, but at the 32 hotels located in the 27,000-acre theme park near Orlando, Disney employees did their best to keep the magic alive.