Hurricane Ian leaves a path of destruction as clean-up begins

Hurricane Ian leaves a path of destruction as residents in the impacted areas begin picking up the pieces.

Searches are continuing in some of the hardest-hit regions of Florida.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Florida Task Force One members are conducting evacuation operations via helicopter.

The department said the area around Sanibel Island still remains inaccessible.

“Throughout the search and rescue operations, our crews encountered several elderly residents that needed to be evacuated from those areas that have sustained severe structural damage and have been only accessible by air rescue,” MDFR said in the release.

It added, “due to the inaccessibility, evacuations operations have been conducted via helicopters.

Assisted by the Florida National Guard and the United States Coast Guard, crews have been utilising a hoist to rescue and transport residents out of the island and into a safe zone in the mainland where they can receive medical attention.”

Ian weakened as it made its way northeast through Virginia.

The death toll stands at 78, with at least 74 people losing their lives in Florida and four in North Carolina.

U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill will now travel to Puerto Rico to assess the damage before moving onto Florida.

It comes as officials in Florida’s Lee County face growing questions over delayed mandatory evacuations when the storm first hit.

The Hurricane battered the states’ critical infrastructure.

Almost 800,000 customers in Florida and 10,000 in North Carolina remain without power.

Meanwhile, Orlando residents have been urged to conserve water after Ian damaged the city’s sewerage system.