Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Dean Cresswell said the effects of Hurricane Ian in the United States are devastating.
In comments to CNN, the agency also stressed that the response and recovery efforts being promoted by the government will need the entire community, to bring together partners and help people.
According to a count from the series, at least 66 people have died from Ian in Florida, which last Wednesday crossed a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale as it left flooded areas until today.
After the border on the country’s east coast, the natural phenomenon reached South Carolina last Friday, and a day before it crossed North Carolina, where authorities reported four deaths in hurricane-related accidents.
However, the total number of deaths remains undetermined, which is typical in the aftermath of the first natural disaster, the New York Times confirms.
Today Ian moved to the northeast through Virginia as a weak storm, which resulted in limited rainfall and flood risks.
Many people in Florida lack electricity and clean water, and some communities remain completely isolated, making it difficult for first responders to reach victims.
Cloud, in that state, was urged to evacuate Sunday due to rising waters, which have reached areas that have not experienced flooding before.
In turn, the flooding of rivers caused by the passage of Ian alarmed the crocodile alarmed residents of the city of Sarasota, as many roads were closed.
US President Joe Biden has issued instructions that prioritize actions to save lives, and ensure that essential services and support are provided to survivors.
Among the measures announced are rubble removal and other reinforcement activities as part of an emergency declaration for Florida and North Carolina, as well as assistance to the Seminoles (indigenous people of this northern nation) to repair homes and businesses.
According to the White House, about 87,300 homes have registered for assistance, while search and rescue operations have helped more than 3,500 people and about 140 pets.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also activated a medical support contract for ambulances and taken steps focused on strengthening health care, while the state strengthens safety assessments of bridges, highways and other infrastructure.
According to the PowerOutage.us portal, more than 854,000 customers are without electricity in the United States, most of them in Florida.
Although FEMA authorities have warned that Ian could have catastrophic effects, there have been criticisms of people who remained on the streets during the hurricane’s passage as well as reports of delays in evacuation. (taken from Latin Press)
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