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At least 81 people in Florida have died due to Hurricane Ian, according to local officials.
Four additional people were also reported dead due to the storm in North Carolina, the governor’s office said.
The Category 4 storm slammed into Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday afternoon, causing catastrophic damage, fierce winds and dangerous, record-breaking storm surges.
The deaths span multiple counties in Florida, including 42 in Lee County, 23 in Charlotte County, five in Volusia County, three each in Collier and Sarasota counties, two in Manatee County, and one each in Hillsborough, Lake and Hendry counties, ABC News has determined based on information from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission and inquiries with local officials and authorities.
The death toll from the catastrophic storm has been rising amid ongoing search and rescue missions.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said that upward of 700 people were rescued in the devastated county.
„It’s what a heavy heart that I say that number,“ Marceno, whose county is home to hard-hit Fort Myers and the barrier island Sanibel, said in video posted to Facebook.
The causes of the deaths in Florida were primarily drownings, as well as two vehicle accidents and a roofing accident, officials said.
It is unclear whether the state’s figure overlaps with ABC News‘ analysis.
The state confirms deaths by reviewing medical examiner records, which can take some time.
