Hurricane Ian raked a path of destruction across the southeast United States on September 28, 2022, devastating the state of Florida and its Gulf Coast before making final landfall in South Carolina two days later. One of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the U.S. in decades, Hurricane Ian claimed scores of lives, as crews deployed search and rescue efforts in flood-ravaged communities.
FAQs: What you need to know about Hurricane Ian
- Fast facts: Hurricane Ian
- Where did Hurricane Ian develop?
- Where did Hurricane Ian make landfall in the U.S.?
- How strong of a storm was Hurricane Ian?
- How is World Vision responding to Hurricane Ian?
- How many major disasters has World Vision responded to?
- How can I help people affected by Hurricane Ian?
Fast facts: Hurricane Ian
- Hurricane Ian is the second-deadliest storm to strike the continental U.S. this century, behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- At least 101 people have been confirmed dead, including 92 in Florida, five in North Carolina, one in Virginia, and three in Cuba.
- Hurricane Ian made its initial landfall as a Category 3 storm on September 27, 2022, in Cuba, leaving the entire island without power.
- Ian strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it made landfall west of Fort Myers, Florida, on September 28, 2022.
- Only four Category 5 storms have made landfall in the U.S. with maximum sustained winds greater than 155 mph.
- Hurricane Ian followed Hurricane Fiona, a Category 1 storm that made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday, September 18, 2022.
Where did Hurricane Ian develop?
Hurricane Ian formed over the central Caribbean Sea late Friday, September 23, 2022, as a tropical storm, the ninth tropical storm of the 2022 season.
Where did Hurricane Ian make landfall in the U.S.?
Hurricane Ian’s center roared ashore at 150 mph near Cayo Costa, a barrier island west of Fort Myers, shortly after 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. The hurricane made its final landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina, at 2:05 p.m. two days later as a Category 1 storm.
How strong of a storm was Hurricane Ian?
Hurricane Ian’s top maximum sustained winds of 155 mph had been recorded hours before landfall, when the Category 4 hurricane was 2 mph shy of reaching Category 5 classification, the strongest classification on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
As it moved inland and across Florida, Hurricane Ian weakened to a tropical storm but regained strength over the Atlantic Ocean, curving toward South Carolina. The hurricane made final landfall as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown, South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph on September 30, 2022.
View NOAA’s interactive map of the damage in Florida caused by Hurricane Ian. (Note: It may be easier to navigate the site from a desktop computer instead of a mobile device.)
How is World Vision responding to Hurricane Ian?
World Vision’s local emergency response teams have pre-positioned supplies at sites around the world, including the U.S., to ensure emergency teams can begin responding immediately when disaster strikes, promptly dispatching emergency relief supplies and other aid.
Eleven truckloads of emergency aid from our warehouses in Texas, Washington state, and West Virginia have been sent to support hurricane-ravaged communities in Florida and one in South Carolina. We’ve also delivered 600 Fresh Food Boxes filled with nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables to families affected by Hurricane Ian. An additional 1,800 boxes are being prepared for upcoming distributions from four partner locations.
Our partner locations include vulnerable communities in Florida where relief supplies are helping support devastated communities north of Fort Myers, Arcadia, and Wauchula. Essentials given to families include water, food, water purification tablets, hygiene and cleaning products, diapers, clothing, portable chairs, tents, canopies, and coolers.
“[The area] experienced a lot of flooding from the [storm] surge. Families lost everything; all their belongings are on the side of the road. This is one of the worst catastrophic storms that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” said Pastor Frank Rincon of Bethel Assemblies of God Church in Immokalee, Florida. The church has served as a long-time partner with World Vision in helping support the community.
How many major disasters has World Vision responded to?
In 2021, World Vision responded to 72 major disasters and humanitarian emergencies around the world, assisting over 30 million people with life-saving aid and ongoing support.
During and after a crisis, we provide food, water, hygiene, and other basic relief items, including clean-up supplies. We promote personal hygiene practices to guard against deadly disease outbreaks. Our child protection programs respond to urgent cases, such as children separated from their families, abuse, exploitation, and other forms of violence. Our response also extends to cover health, nutrition, and education needs.
Our goal is to support families not only in the immediate term, but also as they experience the arduous process of rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. With partners, World Vision works alongside communities to help families and children rebuild their homes and re-establish permanent housing; access sustainable clean water, food security, and a quality education; and regain livelihoods.
How can I help people affected by Hurricane Ian and other disasters?
- Pray: Join us in prayer for people affected by Hurricane Ian and devastating storms.
Dear God, we ask for Your care and protection for people affected by catastrophic winds, rains, and floods. Give survivors the assurance of Your presence, and equip those who are providing relief and assistance now that the storm has passed.
- Give: Your gift will help provide relief to people affected by disasters like Hurricane Ian.
