as a downgraded tropical cyclone. the historically destructive storm made landfall for the second time yesterday. this time in south carolina. more than 180,000 residents lost power almost immediately. that number, reported to have grown to nearly half 1 million as the storm has carved its way through the carolinas. of course, nowhere has been more devastated than florida, where ian s wrath after touching down was deadly, as 77 people confirmed dead. homes literally washed away. entire communities, recovering from being nearly submerged. the president, planning to visit the state to thank its first responders. said yesterday that eons destruction in florida is almost unmatched for our nation. the situation in florida is far more devastating. we will just be beginning to see the scale of that destruction. it s likely to rank among the worst in the nation s, and the worst in the nation s history. you have all seen the scene on television. homes and property wiped out. it s go
far more devastating. we will just be beginning to see the scale of that destruction. it s likely to rank among the worst in the nation s, and the worst in the nation s history. you have all seen the scene on television. homes and property wiped out. it s going to take months, years to rebuild. we will bring you the very latest on hurricane ian throughout the hour, including, of course, the federal response. before we go any further, i just wanted to add that my heart is with those who are in need of help and need most right now. i, myself, watch the devastation for my travels this week back in washington, which included sometime at the congressional black caucus annual conference, as international network participating in speaking and taking the pulse of black political america.