Hurricane Ian has locked Florida residents in their homes without power as floods and high winds ravaged the state. The hurricane has now moved into the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to make landfall in South Carolina on Friday.
There are believed to be several victims, although no number has yet been confirmed.
Speaking at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington, President Biden said Ian could be one of the worst storms in Florida’s history.
He said: “The numbers are still unclear, but we are hearing early reports of what could be a significant loss of life.”
Authorities in Charlotte County and Sarasota Country revealed deaths had occurred in every state, with Sarasota investigating reports of two storm-related casualties.
According to Reuters, a 72-year-old man in Deltona, central Florida, died after going outside during the storm to drain his pool.
More than 2.6 million homes are without power, with Lee and Charlotte counties “essentially off-grid,” according to Governor Ron DeSantis.
The southeastern states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are now bracing for the next Hurricane Ian.
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A hurricane warning is in effect for approximately 230 miles of coastline from the South Carolina-Georgia border as far north as Cape Fear, North Carolina.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper urged his citizens to “take necessary precautions” as they were warned of potential flooding, landslides and tornadoes.
Mr Cooper added: “This storm is still dangerous.”