Biden Says Hurricane Ian Could Be Deadliest in Florida’s History

Hurricane Ian could turn out to be the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida, according to President Joe Biden.

“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history. The numbers … are still unclear, but we’re hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life,” Biden said after receiving a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Response Coordination Center in Washington on Sept. 29, a day after the hurricane made landfall in southwest Florida.

The first confirmed death after the hurricane struck was a 72-year-old man who perished while he was draining his pool.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported the death, which took place in Deltona.

“The initial investigation indicates the victim was using a hose to drain the pool down a hill and into a 30-foot-wide canal, where a steep decline into the water was extremely soft and slippery due to the heavy rain. The Sheriff’s Office sends its sincere condolences to the victim’s family,” the office said.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno claimed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he knew fatalities were “in the hundreds” but later said on CNN that he only knew of roughly five deaths.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the number was unconfirmed.

“None of that is confirmed. I think what that is, is there were 911 calls for people saying, ‘Hey, the water is rising in my home. I’m going to go up in the attic. But I’m really worried.’ Of course, those folks are now going to be checked on,” he said at a briefing.

DeSantis said he knew of two deaths assumed to be from Hurricane Ian.

Deanne Criswell, the FEMA administrator, said on MSNBC that “we have a few reports of some fatalities” and that officials, including sheriffs, believed the death toll would rise in