38 Drownings Linked to Hurricane Ian So Far, Authorities Say

MIAMI, FL—At least 38 people drowned in Florida because of Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic storm surge and flooding, authorities said Tuesday.

So far, Florida’s Medical Examiners Commission has confirmed the causes of 68 Ian-related deaths. Thirty-eight of those include drownings. Twenty-seven of those drownings, or about 71%, happened in Lee County. For the victims whose age is known, all are 50 or older.

At least 100 Florida deaths spanning 12 counties have been linked to Hurricane Ian, according to information from the Medical Examiners Commission and county sheriffs offices.

Here’s the county-by-county information provided by authorities as of Tuesday:

Deaths by County

— Lee County: 55 confirmed by Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The Florida Medical Examiners Commission has confirmed 46.

— Charlotte County: 24 confirmed by Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. The commission has confirmed two.

— Collier County: Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management director, announced eight Collier County deaths on Friday but said they are unconfirmed. So far, the commission has confirmed five deaths in Collier County.

— Volusia County: five, according to the commission.

— Sarasota County: four, according to the Medical Examiners Commission.

— Manatee County: three, according to the commission.

— Hendry County: one, according to the commission.

— Hillsborough County: one, according to the commission.

— Lake County: one, according to the commission.

— Polk County: two, according to the Medical Examiners Commission.

— Martin County: one, according to the commission.

— Hardee County: one, according to the commission.

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