Emergency crews raced on Thursday to reach stranded Florida residents as Hurricane Ian trained its sights on the Carolinas after cutting a coast-to-coast path of destruction across Florida, leaving behind deadly floodwaters, downed power lines and widespread damage.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told residents of southwestern Florida to "evacuate now" on Tuesday night as Hurricane Ian drew near, threatening to bring a deadly storm surge and more than a foot (30 cm) of rain to some areas.