The National Hurricane Center (NHC) started tracking a tropical wave east of the Windward Islands on September 19, 2022. On September 24, 2022, President Biden issued an emergency declaration for Florida. The wave gained strength and turned into Tropical Storm Ian, eventually hitting Cuba on September 27, 2022 as a Category 3 hurricane, causing property damage, power blackouts, and the death of at least five people. On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane and left an even deadlier path of destruction, with at least 120 reported deaths. The storm continued on to South and North Carolina, causing another 5 deaths.
Date of event: September 27, 2022
Impact:
- 132 Deaths (and counting, as of Oct. 6, 2022)
- Estimate of up to $63 billion in insured losses, with total economic damage estimated to be over $100 billion.
Related Resources:
- Harnessing the Power of Science and Technology Communities for Crisis Response
- How FEMA Can Prioritize Equity in Disaster Recovery Assistance
- Hazard-Resilient Buildings: Sustaining Occupancy and Function After a Natural Disaster [August 15, 2022]
- Hurricane Ian Recovery: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [Updated September 30, 2022]
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Photo Credit: NOAA