Recovery efforts begin as Hurricane Ian weakens
(CNN) - Recovery and rescue efforts continued Saturday with the help of the Coast Guard in Florida following Ian's devastating path in the state and in the Carolinas.
At least 64 people have died in Florida, and more than 1 million residents in multiple states are without power.
"We have already started the planning efforts for what it is going to take to rebuild these communities and recover from this storm," Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator, detailed.
In Sarasota, cleanup efforts got underway Saturday morning, after Ian slammed into the Southwest part of the state as a Category 4 hurricane. The deadly storm causing massive damage and flooding.
"We have over 13-hundred people on the ground for the Florida department of transportation, 13-hundred miles of roadway have cleared," Gov. Ron Desantis explained.
Traffic on I-75 South, between North Port and Venice, Florida, jam packed on Saturday as residents attempt to return home, even though some roads are impassable.
"The only store on on the, on this side of the river is underwater...right over here, right now," Arcadia resident Mac Martin spoke.
Furthermore, this comes after a levee was compromised in Sarasota County, causing greater concern for more flooding in the Hidden River Valley community Saturday.
"It's going to boil down to us coming together, working with the different agencies, working with the federal government, and ensuring that the right people get the right services," Sarasota Mayor Eric Arroyo.
Moving up to the Carolinas
Additionally, a similar scene on Myrtle Beach where clean up began. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster giving an update on the aftermath.
"There's some heartbreak, There's work to be done. But all in all, it's a, it is a good story for South Carolina."
Back in Florida, Ian's deadly path could become the most expensive storm in the state's history.