Death toll from Hurricane Ian in Florida rises to 45

MADRID, 1 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

At least 45 people have lost their lives as a result of 'Ian' in Florida, now a tropical cyclone as it passes through South Carolina, CNN reported this Friday.

The weather phenomenon, which made landfall in Florida last Wednesday as a category four hurricane, has brought with it a combination of strong winds, rain and storm surge, killing several dozen people.

Likewise, the United States Coast Guard has carried out 275 rescue operations throughout the state this week, flying over and operating in "unrecognizable" areas, according to a member of the body detailed to the aforementioned chain.

"We're flying and we're operating in areas that are unrecognizable. There are no traffic signs. They don't look like they used to. Buildings that were once landmarks in the community are gone," he said.

The storm has made landfall for the second time in the United States near Georgetown, South Carolina, during the east afternoon as a category 1 hurricane and with gusts of wind until Friday night, it continued with winds of 96 kilometers per hour.

Flash flooding was possible in parts of North and South Carolina and southeastern Virginia on Friday night, while the storm also threatened parts of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia with tornadoes through Saturday night. tomorrow, the hurricane center added.

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, has assured that 'Ian' could be the "deadliest" in the history of the state of Florida, which has already been declared a catastrophic area.

"This could be the deadliest hurricane in the history of Florida," Biden said, adding that "early reports" point to a "substantial loss of life," according to the US network ABC.