LEE COUNTY, Fla. — In a video released Saturday morning, the Lee County Sheriff confirmed storm-related deaths and provided updates on recovery efforts.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno said there are "about 35 deaths," so far.
"There are those that are wondering about their loved one, their friends and family, said Marceno.
"I'm here to tell you today as much information as I possibly can as quickly as possible. Today we had over 600 to 700 rescues of people that are in need during this difficult time with about 35 deaths, unfortunately."
He continued in part, "I want to release the information of the deceased as soon as I can but there is a process."
The sheriff says that Florida Lights and Power is working around the clock to bring back power.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel, we are going to work harder and we are going to be stronger than ever," he said in part.
Two storm-related deaths were confirmed in Sarasota County on Friday.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) said in a Facebook post on Friday morning, "We unfortunately share that our agency was notified of two deaths within unincorporated Sarasota County that appear to be related to the impacts of Hurricane Ian.'
Police said both deaths involved people who relied on oxygen machines, and these machines went out due to power outages in the area. As of 11 a.m. on Friday, 155,540 residents were still without power in the county.
The people who died were a 94-year-old man who lived in the Palmer Ranch area and an 80-year-old woman in North Sarasota, the Sheriff's Office said.
Ian made originally landfall as a Category 4 storm around 3:05 p.m. Wednesday along the southwestern coast of Florida near Cayo Costa, the NHC said. It had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, with even higher gusts.
At 4:35 p.m. Wednesday, Ian made a second l Florida landfall — a mainland landfall — south of Punta Gorda as a Category 4 storm packing 145-mph winds.
