A broken section of road and destroyed houses are seen in Matlacha, Florida, on Saturday, October 1.
In pictures: Hurricane Ian slams the Southeast
A broken section of road and destroyed houses are seen in Matlacha, Florida, on Saturday, October 1.
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 3:46 PM EDT, Wed October 5, 2022

Residents of Florida and the Carolinas are picking up the pieces after Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction in its wake.

Ian hit Florida on Wednesday with winds near 150 mph, making it a high-end Category 4 hurricane. Emergency responders in the state have been conducting rescues by air, land and boat to save people trapped by the floodwaters. Gov. Ron DeSantis called it "a 500-year flood event."

After sweeping through Florida, Ian restrengthened in the Atlantic before making landfall in South Carolina on Friday.

"This is a dangerous storm that will bring high winds and a lot of water," South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted. "Be smart, make good decisions, check on your loved ones, and stay safe."

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden talk to people impacted by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, during a tour of the area on Wednesday, October 5.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden talk to people impacted by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, during a tour of the area on Wednesday, October 5.
Evan Vucci/AP
Greg Guidi, left, and Thomas Bostic unload supplies from a boat on Pine Island, Florida, on Tuesday, October 4. With the roads onto the island made impassable, people were getting supplies to the island by boat.
Greg Guidi, left, and Thomas Bostic unload supplies from a boat on Pine Island, Florida, on Tuesday, October 4. With the roads onto the island made impassable, people were getting supplies to the island by boat.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Members of a search-and-rescue team comb through the wreckage on Fort Myers Beach on Tuesday.
Members of a search-and-rescue team comb through the wreckage on Fort Myers Beach on Tuesday.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Stephanie Fopiano, right, gets a hug from Kenya Taylor, both from North Port, as she gets emotional about her situation at the Venice High School hurricane shelter in Venice, Florida, on Monday, October 3.
Stephanie Fopiano, right, gets a hug from Kenya Taylor, both from North Port, as she gets emotional about her situation at the Venice High School hurricane shelter in Venice, Florida, on Monday, October 3.
Mike Lang/USA Today Network
Workers and residents clear debris from a destroyed bar in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 1.
Workers and residents clear debris from a destroyed bar in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 1.
Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images
Beachgoers look at a large shrimping boat that was swept ashore in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday.
Beachgoers look at a large shrimping boat that was swept ashore in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday.
Jonathan Drake/Reuters
Local muralist Candy Miller, left, embraces Ana Kapel, the manager of the Pier Peddler, a gift shop that sold women's fashions, as she becomes emotional at the site where the store once stood on Fort Myers Beach on Friday.
Local muralist Candy Miller, left, embraces Ana Kapel, the manager of the Pier Peddler, a gift shop that sold women's fashions, as she becomes emotional at the site where the store once stood on Fort Myers Beach on Friday.
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/AP
Waters from a rain-swollen pond cover grass and a foot path around Quarterman Park in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday.
Waters from a rain-swollen pond cover grass and a foot path around Quarterman Park in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday.
Meg Kinnard/AP
Members of the US Army National Guard help people evacuate from flood waters in North Port, Florida, on Friday, September 30.
Members of the US Army National Guard help people evacuate from flood waters in North Port, Florida, on Friday, September 30.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Water streams past buildings on the oceanfront on Sanibel Island, Florida, on Friday.
Water streams past buildings on the oceanfront on Sanibel Island, Florida, on Friday.
Steve Helber/AP
University of Central Florida students use an inflatable mattress as they evacuate an apartment complex in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, September 30.
University of Central Florida students use an inflatable mattress as they evacuate an apartment complex in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, September 30.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentintel/AP
A firefighter examines a fallen tree in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday.
A firefighter examines a fallen tree in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday.
Alex Brandon/AP
A man tows a canoe through a flooded street of his neighborhood in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on Friday.
A man tows a canoe through a flooded street of his neighborhood in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on Friday.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in line to enter a Home Depot store in Cape Coral, Florida, on Friday. Many in Florida were still without power.
People wait in line to enter a Home Depot store in Cape Coral, Florida, on Friday. Many in Florida were still without power.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The wreckage of a car teeters on a buckled roadway on Friday in Matlacha, Florida.
The wreckage of a car teeters on a buckled roadway on Friday in Matlacha, Florida.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team look for anyone needing help on Friday in Fort Myers, Florida.
Members of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team look for anyone needing help on Friday in Fort Myers, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A man takes photos Thursday, September 29, of boats that were damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida.
A man takes photos Thursday, September 29, of boats that were damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida.
Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images
Bob Levitt returns to his condemned home to retrieve his cat, which he found hiding in a bedroom Thursday in Palm Beach County, Florida. A tornado spawned by the hurricane left residents homeless.
Bob Levitt returns to his condemned home to retrieve his cat, which he found hiding in a bedroom Thursday in Palm Beach County, Florida. A tornado spawned by the hurricane left residents homeless.
Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network
This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers Beach on Thursday.
This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers Beach on Thursday.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Jake Moses and Heather Jones explore a section of destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday.
Jake Moses and Heather Jones explore a section of destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday.
Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/Zuma
Workers in Naples, Florida, clean up debris on Thursday.
Workers in Naples, Florida, clean up debris on Thursday.
Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images
A section of the Sanibel Causeway is seen on Thursday after it collapsed due to the effects of the storm.
A section of the Sanibel Causeway is seen on Thursday after it collapsed due to the effects of the storm.
Steve Helber/AP
Stedi Scuderi looks over her flooded apartment in Fort Myers on Thursday.
Stedi Scuderi looks over her flooded apartment in Fort Myers on Thursday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A resident of Orange County, Florida, and a couple of dogs are rescued from floodwaters on Thursday.
A resident of Orange County, Florida, and a couple of dogs are rescued from floodwaters on Thursday.
From Orange County Government
A boat lies partially submerged in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Thursday.
A boat lies partially submerged in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Thursday.
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
Tom Park begins cleaning up in Punta Gorda on Thursday.
Tom Park begins cleaning up in Punta Gorda on Thursday.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Residents of Port Charlotte, Florida, line up for free food that was being distributed from a taco truck on Thursday.
Residents of Port Charlotte, Florida, line up for free food that was being distributed from a taco truck on Thursday.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
A causeway to Florida's Sanibel Island is seen on Thursday. The causeway is the only way to get to or from Sanibel and Captiva Islands to Florida's mainland.
A causeway to Florida's Sanibel Island is seen on Thursday. The causeway is the only way to get to or from Sanibel and Captiva Islands to Florida's mainland.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
People clear a large tree off their home in Fort Myers on Thursday.
People clear a large tree off their home in Fort Myers on Thursday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Homes are flooded in Port Charlotte on Thursday.
Homes are flooded in Port Charlotte on Thursday.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Jonathan Strong dives into floodwaters while he and his girlfriend, Kylie Dodd, knock on doors to help people in a flooded mobile home community in Iona, Florida, on Thursday. "I can't just sit around while my house is intact and let other people suffer," he said. "It's what we do: community helping community."
Jonathan Strong dives into floodwaters while he and his girlfriend, Kylie Dodd, knock on doors to help people in a flooded mobile home community in Iona, Florida, on Thursday. "I can't just sit around while my house is intact and let other people suffer," he said. "It's what we do: community helping community."
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/AP
Brenda Brennan sits next to a boat that pushed up against her apartment building in Fort Myers on Thursday. She said the boat floated in around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Brenda Brennan sits next to a boat that pushed up against her apartment building in Fort Myers on Thursday. She said the boat floated in around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
People walk along the beach looking at property damaged in Bonita Springs, Florida, on Thursday.
People walk along the beach looking at property damaged in Bonita Springs, Florida, on Thursday.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
An Orlando resident is rescued from floodwaters on Thursday.
An Orlando resident is rescued from floodwaters on Thursday.
John Raoux/AP
Vehicles make their way through flooded streets in Fort Myers on Thursday.
Vehicles make their way through flooded streets in Fort Myers on Thursday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Stefanie Karas stands in her flooded apartment in Fort Myers on Thursday. She is an artist and was salvaging what she could from her home.
Stefanie Karas stands in her flooded apartment in Fort Myers on Thursday. She is an artist and was salvaging what she could from her home.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Heavily damaged homes are seen on Sanibel Island on Thursday.
Heavily damaged homes are seen on Sanibel Island on Thursday.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
A spiral staircase lies next to a damaged pickup truck in Sanibel, Florida, on Thursday.
A spiral staircase lies next to a damaged pickup truck in Sanibel, Florida, on Thursday.
Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Presss
A flooded street is seen in downtown Fort Myers after Ian made landfall on Wednesday, September 28.
A flooded street is seen in downtown Fort Myers after Ian made landfall on Wednesday, September 28.
Marco Bello/Reuters
A woman surveys damage through a door during a power outage in Fort Myers on Wednesday.
A woman surveys damage through a door during a power outage in Fort Myers on Wednesday.
Marco Bello/Reuters
A satellite image shows the hurricane making landfall on the southwest coast of Florida on Wednesday.
A satellite image shows the hurricane making landfall on the southwest coast of Florida on Wednesday.
NOAA/NASA
The streets of Naples, Florida, are flooded on Wednesday. City officials asked residents to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-updates-09-28-22/h_b17d9ef0e8e62eeafd2a531dac743e5d" target="_blank">shelter in place</a> until further notice.
The streets of Naples, Florida, are flooded on Wednesday. City officials asked residents to shelter in place until further notice.
Naples Police
A woman is helped out of a muddy area Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, where <a href="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-updates-09-28-22/h_a3f82ffac9c07dccfd47dec0e86df9c5" target="_blank">water was receding</a> due to a negative storm surge.
A woman is helped out of a muddy area Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, where water was receding due to a negative storm surge.
Ben Hendren/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Strong winds hit Punta Gorda on Wednesday.
Strong winds hit Punta Gorda on Wednesday.
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds an umbrella inverted by the wind in Tampa on Wednesday.
A woman holds an umbrella inverted by the wind in Tampa on Wednesday.
Ben Hendren/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Sailboats anchored in Roberts Bay are blown around in Venice, Florida, on Wednesday.
Sailboats anchored in Roberts Bay are blown around in Venice, Florida, on Wednesday.
Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS/Abaca/Reuters
Melvin Phillips stands in the flooded basement of his mobile home in Stuart, Florida, on Wednesday.
Melvin Phillips stands in the flooded basement of his mobile home in Stuart, Florida, on Wednesday.
Crystal Vander Weit/TCPalm/USA Today Network
A man walks where <a href="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-updates-09-28-22/h_a3f82ffac9c07dccfd47dec0e86df9c5" target="_blank">water was receding</a> from Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
A man walks where water was receding from Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images
Damage is seen at the Kings Point condos in Delray Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/weather/2022/09/28/hurricane-ian-major-damage-kings-point-near-delray/10447519002/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Officials believe</a> it was caused by a tornado fueled by Hurricane Ian.
Damage is seen at the Kings Point condos in Delray Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. Officials believe it was caused by a tornado fueled by Hurricane Ian.
Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network
A TV crew broadcasts from the beach in Fort Myers on Wednesday.
A TV crew broadcasts from the beach in Fort Myers on Wednesday.
Marco Bello/Reuters
Utility trucks are staged in a rural lot Wednesday in The Villages, a Florida retirement community.
Utility trucks are staged in a rural lot Wednesday in The Villages, a Florida retirement community.
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/AP
Highways in Tampa are empty Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Ian making landfall. Several coastal counties in western Florida were under mandatory evacuations.
Highways in Tampa are empty Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Ian making landfall. Several coastal counties in western Florida were under mandatory evacuations.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
An airplane is overturned in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Wednesday.
An airplane is overturned in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Wednesday.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Zuram Rodriguez surveys the damage around her home in Davie, Florida, early on Wednesday.
Zuram Rodriguez surveys the damage around her home in Davie, Florida, early on Wednesday.
Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
People play dominoes by flashlight during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday. Crews in Cuba have been working to restore power for millions after the storm battered the western region with high winds and dangerous storm surge, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/27/americas/hurricane-ian-cuba-blackout-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank">causing an islandwide blackout.</a>
People play dominoes by flashlight during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday. Crews in Cuba have been working to restore power for millions after the storm battered the western region with high winds and dangerous storm surge, causing an islandwide blackout.
Ramon Espinosa/AP
People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, on Tuesday.
People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, on Tuesday.
Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images
Southwest Airlines passengers check in near a sign that shows canceled flights at the Tampa International Airport on Tuesday.
Southwest Airlines passengers check in near a sign that shows canceled flights at the Tampa International Airport on Tuesday.
Chris O'Meara/AP
Maria Llonch retrieves belongings from her home in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, on Tuesday.
Maria Llonch retrieves belongings from her home in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, on Tuesday.
Ramon Espinosa/AP
Traffic builds along Interstate 4 in Tampa on Tuesday.
Traffic builds along Interstate 4 in Tampa on Tuesday.
Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP
A man carries his children through rain and debris in Pinar del Rio on Tuesday.
A man carries his children through rain and debris in Pinar del Rio on Tuesday.
Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters
People drive through debris in Pinar del Rio on Tuesday.
People drive through debris in Pinar del Rio on Tuesday.
Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters
Frederic and Mary Herodet board up their Gulf Bistro restaurant in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.
Frederic and Mary Herodet board up their Gulf Bistro restaurant in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
NASA's Artemis I rocket rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday. The launch of the rocket was postponed due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Ian.
NASA's Artemis I rocket rolls back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday. The launch of the rocket was postponed due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Ian.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Hurricane Ian is seen from the International Space Station on Monday, September 26.
Hurricane Ian is seen from the International Space Station on Monday, September 26.
NASA via AP
Waves kick up along the shore of Batabano as <a href="https://us.cnn.com/2022/09/27/weather/hurricane-ian-cuba-florida-tuesday/index.html" target="_blank">Hurricane Ian reaches Cuba</a> on Monday.
Waves kick up along the shore of Batabano as Hurricane Ian reaches Cuba on Monday.
Ramon Espinosa/AP
A Cuban family transports personal belongings to a safe place in the Fanguito neighborhood of Havana on Monday.
A Cuban family transports personal belongings to a safe place in the Fanguito neighborhood of Havana on Monday.
Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images
A family carries a dog to a safe place in Batabano on Monday.
A family carries a dog to a safe place in Batabano on Monday.
Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in lines to fuel their vehicles at a Costco store in Orlando on Monday.
People wait in lines to fuel their vehicles at a Costco store in Orlando on Monday.
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
Ryan Copenhaver, manager of Siesta T's in Sarasota, Florida, installs hurricane panels over the store's windows on Monday.
Ryan Copenhaver, manager of Siesta T's in Sarasota, Florida, installs hurricane panels over the store's windows on Monday.
Mike Lang/USA Today Network
A man helps pull small boats out of Cuba's Havana Bay on Monday.
A man helps pull small boats out of Cuba's Havana Bay on Monday.
Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Imagaes
Shelves are empty in a supermarket's water aisle in Kissimmee on Monday.
Shelves are empty in a supermarket's water aisle in Kissimmee on Monday.
Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images
Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, Florida, references a map Monday that indicates where storm surges would impact the county. During a news conference, she urged anyone living in those areas to evacuate.
Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, Florida, references a map Monday that indicates where storm surges would impact the county. During a news conference, she urged anyone living in those areas to evacuate.
Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
Sarah Peterson fills sandbags in Fort Myers Beach on September 24.
Sarah Peterson fills sandbags in Fort Myers Beach on September 24.
Andrew West/USA Today Network