Although officials are still evaluating the hurricane Ian’s damage, one county sheriff is concerned about the number of deaths.
In a segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Lee Area Sheriff Carmine Marceno believed that his county had hundreds of deaths.
“I don’t have verified figures. I am certain that there have been hundreds of deaths. Thousands of people are in need of rescue and are waiting “Republican Marceno remarked. In his county, Fort Myers is located.
It will be some days before we know the precise amount. As they conduct rescue operations and individually check each property after storms in the past, authorities have overstated the number of fatalities.
Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told CNN that she has not yet received any verified reports of deaths.
“I am aware that some sheriffs are predicting a high number of deaths, but this is precisely why we need to send our search and rescue teams to the area. They exist because of this “She said. We are trying to save as many lives as we can.
During a news conference in Tallahassee on Thursday morning, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed Criswell’s remarks and said it would take a day or more to confirm fatalities.
He responded to the sheriff’s remarks of deaths by saying, “None of it is verified.” “I believe it’s because folks called 911 to report that the water in their homes was rising. Although I’m heading to the attic, I’m really concerned. Of course, those people will now be monitored.”
DeSantis said that two fatalities have been recorded so far, while authorities were still determining if they were due to the hurricane.
More than 2.5 million people in the storm’s path were warned to leave their homes by state and municipal authorities, but some individuals choose to remain. Others were unable to go due to expense, sickness, or a lack of transportation.
DeSantis’ request for a major disaster designation was granted by President Joe Biden on Thursday morning. In addition to other recovery initiatives, the designation would assist those impacted by the disaster by paying for temporary lodging and house repairs.
Democrats in the Florida congressional delegation supported DeSantis’ proposal. Biden and DeSantis talked on Thursday morning. Given that the storm was still moving and wreaking damage, the governor said he would call for other counties to be declared as being in a state of emergency.
He warned that Orlando and Central Florida will see severe floods.
To be able to rebuild and bounce back, DeSantis predicted that years of work would be needed.
According to a readout from the White House regarding the call between Biden and DeSantis, Criswell will be traveling to Florida on Friday.