Charlotte under Tropical Storm Warning as Ian set to bring heavy rain, strong winds

Table Of Content

• Tropical-storm-force winds start hitting Carolinas
• Ian arrives in North Carolina after bringing flooding, damage to South Carolina; death toll rises in Florida
• Ian knocks out power in Carolinas, Virginia
• Ian moves away from Charlotte, leaving damage, thousands without power Saturday
• Carolinas experiencing "life-threatening" storm surge
• 'Violent protest is not protected,' Biden says of college campus unrest

Tropical-storm-force winds started hitting the Carolina coast Friday morning, before life-threatening storm surge — up 7 feet in some areas — is expected there Friday afternoon. "Hurricane conditions are occurring within the Hurricane Warning area in South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina soon," the hurricane center said in its afternoon advisory. "Tropical storm conditions are occurring in parts of the warning areas on the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas, and hurricane conditions are possible within the Hurricane Watch area in North Carolina by this afternoon." The Carolinas were experiencing "life-threatening" storm surge Friday, as well as damaging winds and flash flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center. In Florida, the scope of devastation from the storm was starting to become clear, as rescue missions continued and power and water outages persisted. New images on Friday showed extensive wreckage and disastrous flooding.

Tropical-storm-force winds start hitting Carolinas

It's a region known as Lowcountry, filled with saltwater marshes, waterways and beaches — areas that are already prone to flooding. Charleston County emergency services were suspended Friday as officials prepared for Hurricane Ian to make landfall on South Carolina's coast. Hurricane Ian caused more than $21 billion in insured losses, based on the latest damage estimates from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. It reported 93.7% of claims had been closed as of late April.

Ian arrives in North Carolina after bringing flooding, damage to South Carolina; death toll rises in Florida

By 7 p.m., the worst of the storm had exited the Charlotte area as heavier rains continued through the higher elevations of western North Carolina foothills and mountains. In North Carolina, the strongest winds from the storm will happen closer to the South Carolina border. Those areas around the Sandhills will certainly see sustained winds near 40 miles per hour. As the storm moves north and west, it (and its winds) will weaken. Emergency crews sawed through toppled trees to reach stranded people.

Ian knocks out power in Carolinas, Virginia

Lee County, on Florida's Gulf Coast, includes the cities of Fort Myers and Cape Coral, both of which were hard hit by the hurricane. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno warned against looting in a press conference Thursday, threatening jail time. In a press conference addressing Hurricane Ian damage and recovery efforts, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday expressed concern over looting and robberies in impacted areas. "If this tree has fallen a different way, it would be in our house," Shalosky said.

When and where North Carolina could face impacts from Hurricane Ian - WGHP FOX8 Greensboro

When and where North Carolina could face impacts from Hurricane Ian.

Posted: Wed, 28 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Ian moves away from Charlotte, leaving damage, thousands without power Saturday

Hurricane Ian made landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina, on Friday shortly after 2 p.m. It was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The boat sank as Hurricane Ian approached Florida's west coast, bringing storm surges, roaring wind and punishing rain to much of the state. More than 60,000 residents are without power in Virginia as Ian moves further north, poweroutage.us reported Friday night.

Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning and storm surge watch for large portions of eastern North Carolina, from Dare County to the South Carolina border. Thousand remain in the dark due to power outages across the state. Rains, winds from Ian's wrath intensifies bringing down trees and power lines across the Triangle, other parts of North Carolina.

Florida releases insurance data on Hurricane Ian claims county-by-county

Meanwhile, 1.5 million people still do not have power in Florida, several days after Ian swept across the peninsula. Elizabeth is a business news reporter with the Business Observer, covering primarily Sarasota-Bradenton, in addition to other parts of the region. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, she previously covered hyperlocal news in Maryland for Patch for 12 years. More than two-thirds of closed claims resulted in a payment, based on the data.

Hurricane Ian Pummels Sanibel Causeway, Lee County, Port Charlotte as it Continues Path Northeast - NBC Chicago

Hurricane Ian Pummels Sanibel Causeway, Lee County, Port Charlotte as it Continues Path Northeast.

Posted: Thu, 29 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

State emergency officials announced 21 deaths as of Friday morning, however they're not sure if all are directly related to the storm. Additionally, in Volusia County, the sheriff's department has confirmed two storm-related deaths there. As crews continue to conduct searches, the death toll could rise as officials learn more about the losses from Ian. Make sure you stay updated with the latest track on Hurricane Ian this week on the free WBTV First Alert Weather app for your phone.

Warnings and watches in effect

Officials in Raleigh are making sure flood-prone areas are being looked at to deal with any heavy rains. Meanwhile in Durham city leaders are meeting with Duke Energy to talk about their hurricane preparations. By Saturday morning, the storm -- which is expected to no longer be hurricane strength -- will make another landfall somewhere along the Georgia or South Carolina coast. The system will continue on a northwestern path into the North Carolina mountains. Much of North Carolina is forecast to see 2-5 inches of rain but 5-7 inches or more will be possible near the coast and along the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Four people, identified by authorities as Cuban migrants, made it to shore in the immediate aftermath. Coast Guard said Friday, and 16 are still missing after a migrant boat sank off the southern coast of Florida several days ago. Soldiers with the Florida National Guard flew to Sanibel Island to "assist with medical evacuations and search and rescue operations," the U.S. It shared a video of the soldiers looking out over the devastation from a helicopter.

Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks says North Carolina crews will stay here until the storm passes to evaluate the greatest areas of need. Duke Energy, the state's largest utility provider, is monitoring Hurricane Ian and its potential impacts. The company says it already has about 10,000 line and tree workers on the ground in Florida, where the storm's greatest impacts are expected. In North Carolina, the National Weather Service says rain will be heaviest on the coast, where up to 10 inches could fall from southern Brunswick County to the southern Outer Banks. Using the table below, you can view some of the verified reports of storm damage caused by Ian in the Carolinas.