Death toll from Hurricane Ian soars in Florida

The US officials have said it could take months, and approximately $50 billion or more, to rebuild Florida's devastated coastal zones.

Ian was one of the deadliest storms to hit the United States this century.
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Ian was one of the deadliest storms to hit the United States this century.

The death toll from Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States, has soared above 100 in Florida alone, officials said.

The confirmed number of storm-related fatalities rose to 102 statewide, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission confirmed in its latest report on Monday, with the majority located in the state's southwest.

Another five people died in North Carolina, the state's governor has previously reported.

Homes, restaurants and businesses were ripped apart when Ian roared ashore as a powerful Category 4 hurricane on September 26.

After making landfall, Ian passed over Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean before heading ashore again, this time on the South Carolina coast.

Officials have said it could take months – and perhaps $50 billion or more – to rebuild Florida's devastated coastal zones.

READ MORE: Hurricane Ian slams Florida as Category 4 fury

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One of the deadliest storms

Ian was one of the deadliest storms to hit the United States this century.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the US Gulf Coast, devastating New Orleans and causing some 1,800 deaths and billions of dollars in damage.

Since then, deadly superstorm Sandy battered the country's northeast in 2012, leaving a trail of destruction and some 120 deaths in her wake.

Irma in 2017 caused some 120 hurricane-related fatalities when it struck the US Southeast, shortly after Hurricane Harvey buffeted Texas, killing dozens and causing nearly $97 billion in damages.

READ MORE: Ian regains hurricane strength as it nears South Carolina

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