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The White House has approved a state of emergency for North Carolina as the remnants of Hurricane Ian approach the state on Saturday.

The big picture: Ian, now considered a post-tropical cyclone, will continue to weaken, but heavy rain and gusty winds will still impact the Mid-Atlantic region and New England coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Why it matters: Ian already battered Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida and South Carolina earlier this week. Over a million customers in Florida remain without power and at least 30 people have died.  

Losses from Ian are expected to exceed $30 billion, Axios' Nathan Bomey reports, and is likely to be "one of the largest catastrophic loss events" in U.S. history.

Of note: The White House also declared a major disaster for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. 

Federal aid will assist in programs allowing individuals, families, and business owners to recover from the effects of the disaster, per the White House. 

White House declares state of emergency as Ian approaches North Carolina

Ian, which is continuing to weaken, still heavily impact the Mid-Atlantic region and New England coast.

Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Hurricane Ian

Roughly 450,000 customers were without power across the Carolinas and Virginia on Saturday morning after Hurricane Ian tore inland after hitting Florida earlier this week, according to PowerOutage.us.

Driving the news: Ian hit South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane and brought heavy winds and "life-threatening" storm surge along the North and South Carolina coasts on Friday.

The latest: As of 9am ET, more than 300,000 in North Carolina were without power, and in South Carolina over 57,000 outages were reported.

At least 91,000 outages were reported in Virginia.

About 1.25 million customers were still without power in Florida, down from an approximate 2.7 million on Thursday.

Catch up quick: Ian made landfall Friday afternoon near Georgetown, South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. 

The storm became a post-tropical cyclone Friday as winds dipped below 70 mph.

The latest update from the NHC, sent around 9 am ET Saturday, had the remnants of Ian located about 30 miles south of Greensboro, North Carolina with winds at 35 mph. 

The big picture: Outages are particularly dangerous as people begin recovery efforts, often leading to indirect hurricane-related deaths days after the storm.

People can overexert themselves while cleaning up the aftermath in excessive heat without air conditioning or be injured by improperly running generators, NHC officials warned Thursday.

Ian makes second official landfall, as Category 1 storm in South Carolina

How you can help Hurricane Ian recovery efforts

450K without power across Carolinas, Virginia after Ian

About 1.25 million customers were still without power in Florida as of Saturday morning.

Storm damage outside in North Carolina after Ian

Remnants of Hurricane Ian bring damaging wind and heavy rain in Charlotte, NC, United States on Sept. 30. Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott called on Senate leaders Friday to provide more funding to help Florida rebuild after the devastating Hurricane Ian wiped out buildings, roads and power for millions of people.

Why it matters: Several members of Congress from Florida previously voted against a short-term spending bill that includes aid for disaster relief.

What they said: Rubio and Scott sent a joint letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee chairs that requested "much-needed assistance to Florida."

“Hurricane Ian will be remembered and studied as one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United States,” the Florida senators wrote. “Communities across Florida have been completely destroyed, and lives have been forever changed.

“A robust and timely federal response, including through supplemental programs and funding, will be required to ensure that sufficient resources are provided to rebuild critical infrastructure and public services capacity, and to assist our fellow Floridians in rebuilding their lives.”

Rubio's office did not immediately return Axios' request for comment.

Yes, but: Florida lawmakers already opposed major disaster relief earlier this week.

Flashback: The Senate passed a stopgap bill Thursday to fund the government through December that included an $18.8 billion fund for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help states with natural disasters, CNBC reports.

Scott voted against the bill, per the Senate roll call. Rubio was not present for the vote.

The House voted in favor of the bill Friday. All 16 GOP members of Florida's Congressional team voted against it, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Scott's office pointed to a statement released Friday that said the continuing resolution (CR) in the bill "contains no funding for Florida’s response to Hurricane Ian."

“Prior to Ian’s development, l made clear that I fully supported the proposed disaster funding for other states," Scott said in a statement.

"This CR failed to fund the federal government until the new Congress begins in 2023, and that is why I could not support it.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz criticized Floridian lawmakers for not approving the measure.

“The same week that Hurricane Ian brought so much chaos and destruction to Florida, not a single Florida Republican cared enough to vote in favor of hurricane relief for the people in their own state hit hardest by the storm," he said, per the Democrat.

"That is a level of callous indifference and political opportunism that boggles the mind."

The big picture: Multiple Republicans in Congress previously opposed hurricane relief packages or supported proposals that aimed to reduce the amount of federal money given to major storm relief, according to the Daily Beast.

Go deeper: Ian to weaken overnight, NHC says

Rubio, Scott call for Ian relief as Florida GOP votes against FEMA funding

Several members of Congress from Florida previously voted against a spending bill that included FEMA relief.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) speaks to the media with Rick Scott.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks to the media with Rick Scott. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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The White House approved an emergency declaration for North Carolina after massive storm Ian, which hit Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida and South Carolina earlier this week, ripped through the state late Friday and early Saturday.

The latest: Ian was downgraded and is expected to continue weakening near Virginia and North Carolina's border, per the NHC.

What happened: Recovery efforts continued across Florida and the Carolinas as the massive storm Ian left millions without power throughout the Southeast.

The NHC said Friday evening that the storm was presenting a "danger of life-threatening storm surge" along the Carolina coasts, with flash flooding and threatening high winds.

Heavy rain and potential flash flooding could hit North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia overnight into Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said.

"Major-to-record river flooding" was expected to continue in central Florida areas into next week, per the NHC. 

State of play: Close to 3,000 federal responders were assisting with recovery efforts Friday, with about 1,600 in Florida alone, according to Federal Emergency Management Administration assistant administrator Anne Bink.

She said residents in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas should continue to monitor forecasts and warnings from local officials about safety even as the storm slows.

"Just because the skies are clear does not mean it's safe," she said at a press briefing Friday. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press briefing Friday evening that state and local law enforcement officials would be monitoring areas for potential looting.

Orlando city officials encouraged residents to restrict water usage in their homes.

Details: Ian made landfall again Friday, in South Carolina as a Category 1 storm, while Florida continued to reel from its impact.

The former Category 1 hurricane transformed into a non-tropical system as it moved inland, where it remained a serious threat to communities in South Carolina and the Southeast.

The hurricane struck the coast near Georgetown, S.C. with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, the National Hurricane Center said, bringing a "life-threatening" storm surge of 4 to 7 feet.

What they're saying: Brian Henry, mayor of Pawley’s Island in South Carolina, told CNN that the hurricane brought a storm surge "probably beyond what most people anticipated."

“Most of us did not believe we would see the storm surge at 7 plus feet,” Henry told CNN. “It's beginning to recede but we have a huge amount of water on the roadways and across the island.”

Threat level: The storm has brought significant coastal flooding, inland flash flooding and damaging, hurricane-force winds. 

More than 374,000 customers were without power across the Carolinas as of Friday afternoon.

Ian's wind field is more comparable to a winter storm than a typical hurricane, expanding the potential for power outages well inland.

Context: Such storms can cause more coastal damage today than they were capable of just a few decades ago, due to sea level rise from human-caused climate change.

Sea level rise gives surge a higher floor from which to launch, allowing water to push further inland.

South Carolina was expected to bear the brunt of a resurgent Ian. 

Ian's center had been projected to move across eastern South Carolina and central North Carolina Friday night and on Saturday.

President Biden declared an emergency for South Carolina and ordered the federal government to assist local response efforts. 

The governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia declared states of emergency earlier this week.

The storm's northward shift over time means that the core of the strongest winds will likely travel inland and affect communities like Florence and Fayetteville, with power outages a possibility this afternoon and evening. 

Ian isn't expected to make landfall in Georgia, but parts of the state will still face tropical storm-force winds and dangerous life-threatening storm sturge, the NHC said in an update.

A tropical storm warning is in effect starting at the Altamaha Sound in Georgia to the Savannah River, which marks the state's border with South Carolina.

Southern Virginia could be hit by heavy rains with a chance of tornadoes through early Saturday.

The storm is expected to dissipate over western North Carolina or Virginia late Saturday, the NHC said.

The devastation Ian left in southwest Florida is becoming more evident.

At least nine people have died after the storm pummeled the state with record storm surge flooding in some areas and strong winds, AP reports.

More than 1.6 million customers were without power on Friday morning as the state began search and rescue and recovery efforts.

Go deeper: Florida death toll rises from Hurricane Ian

Florida power outages from Hurricane Ian continue for 1.9 million-plus

Ian confirms the new normal for hurricanes

Hurricane prep: Can't afford to, can't afford not to

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates throughout the day. 

Live updates: White House approves North Carolina emergency declaration as Ian weakens

The storm is expected to continue weakening near Virginia and North Carolina's border, per the NHC.

Satellite view of Hurricane Ian approaching South Carolina on Sept. 30.

Satellite view of Hurricane Ian approaching South Carolina today. Source: CIRA/RAMMB

Climate change

More than 1.6 million Florida customers — about 15% of the state — remained without power Friday afternoon from Hurricane Ian as restoration efforts continued in the state.

The big picture: Ian unleashed widespread life-threatening storm surge flooding after making landfall as a high-end Category 4 storm near Cayo Costa Wednesday afternoon. Officials in coastal communities were responding to multiple water rescues. In Port Charlotte, storm surge flooded a hospital emergency room, per AP.

Percentage of Floridians without power

Data: PowerOutage.us; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Power outages on Thursday were at approximately 2.7 million, but power has been restored for close to 900,000 customers, according to PowerOutage.us

The latest: The vast majority of customers in many counties in southwestern Florida — including Lee and Charlotte — remained without electricity Friday.

Hardee County had more than 99% experiencing outages with 9,474 of 9,545 tracked customers without power.

Volusia County, which includes Daytona Beach, had about 58% without power Friday while neighboring Seminole County had 35%.

Orange County, home to Orlando and theme parks, had 17% of customers without power.

What they're saying: "Today is the first full day of restoration after Hurricane Ian exited Florida," Florida Power & Light said in a tweet at 10:18am Friday. "More than 50% of customers have already been restored."

By the numbers: Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state's southwest saw surges as high as 12 feet in some areas. 

Ian caused over 6.18 feet of surge in Naples at 1pm Wednesday ET — a new record for the city, per a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration monitoring station.

What we're watching: The state said Thursday there were more than 42,000 lineworkers, including many from other states, responding to the power outages.

Flashback: The hurricane left all of Cuba without power late Tuesday after the storm swept through and severely flooded the island.

Hurricane Ian closings: Universal Studios, Disney, stores, schools and more closed

Flight cancellations top 1,900 as Hurricane Ian nears Florida

Insurance tips for homeowners pre- and post-Hurricane Ian

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Florida power outages from Hurricane Ian continue for 1.6 million

Power has been restored for close to 900,000 as recovery efforts continue.

A traffic light is torn in half in a Florida street after Hurricane Ian swept through Wednesday.

A Florida street after hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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Follow live news updates on Tropical Storm Ian as it makes landfall again in South Carolina.

Ian regained hurricane status Thursday evening on its way to a damaging encounter with the Carolinas after bringing record storm surge flooding and intense winds to Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center said.

The big picture: Hurricane warnings have been issued for the South Carolina coastline. The storm has knocked out power to about 2.6 million customers across Florida, with outages mounting in the Jacksonville area as the storm's winds knock down trees and power lines.

Ian is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane when it makes second landfall in South Carolina. 

 The latest: As of 8am ET, the storm's sustained winds intensified to 85 mph, the NHC said.

It was located 105 miles to the south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and 185 miles south-southwest of Cape Fear, North Carolina, moving north-northeast at 9 mph.

Ian "taking aim at the Carolinas and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge and strong winds," the center said.

President Biden on Friday declared an emergency for South Carolina and ordered the federal government to assist local response efforts.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect for the entire South Carolina coastline, and storm surge warnings extend into Georgia.

Hurricane Center forecasters warn the storm will have a large wind field as it approaches the coast, which could add to storm surge heights.

A storm surge of between 4 to 7 feet above normally dry ground is anticipated from Edisto Beach to the South Santee River, which includes Charleston.

The region from northern Florida to Edisto beach, South Carolina is forecast to see 4 to 6 feet of surge.

The storm will bring the threat of inland flooding as well, which will not be limited to Georgia and South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency has issued a "moderate risk," or level 3 out of 4 on its risk scale, for flash flooding in South Carolina on Friday, with that danger moving north and east through the weekend.

The NWS is predicting a large swath of 4 to 6-inch rainfall amounts from Charleston, South Carolina, to southeastern Virginia. Heavy rain could fall as far north as Washington, D.C., this weekend.

Rainfall forecast through Oct. 2 for T.S. Ian.

Ian continued to make its way over northeastern Florida and out to the western Atlantic Ocean early Thursday with heavy rain, strong winds and a continued storm surge threat.

The NHC warned residents on the state's northeast coast of life-threatening storm surge through Friday.

Biden told Florida Gov. Ron Desantis Thursday that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will travel to the state to check in on response efforts.

Data: National Hurricane Center; Map: Jared Whalen/Axios

Water surges in to downtown Charleston’s Waterfront Park.

Water surges in to downtown Charleston’s Waterfront Park. (Jen Ashley/Axios)

The NHC warned Ian will again attain hurricane intensity as it heads towards South Carolina. 

The storm is expected to once again push toward land in South Carolina around Friday afternoon, bringing 4 to 7 feet of storm surge flooding above normally dry land to Charleston.

Forecasters are predicting peak winds of 55 to 70 mph, with gusts to 90 mph, in Charleston.

Sea level rise from climate change, along with land subsidence over time, makes Charleston one of the most vulnerable cities in the U.S. for flash and surge-related flooding. 

According to Axios' Jen Ashley in Charleston, Charleston County has opened at least one shelter, and CARTA, the city's public bus system, is offering free transportation there.

Local governments, including the cities of Charleston and North Charleston, have been handing out free sandbags to residents.

As of midday, only a few businesses in the popular tourist district had boarded their windows or placed sandbags outside. Most remained open, welcoming in lunch crowds as seawater started to pool in the streets.

A tropical storm warning, hurricane watch and storm surge warning has been issued extending up and down the east coast of Florida into Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Ian is anticipated to stay off the Georgia coast before making landfall again in South Carolina. Gusty winds and heavy rain are the main threats to north and central Georgia through late Saturday.

The NHC warned of considerable flash and urban flooding in southeastern Georgia.

The state's governor told residents to expect heavy rainfall and possible flooding and tornadoes on Friday and Saturday.

The storm is forecast to track toward the western regions of North Carolina with 5-7 inches of rain possible both along the coast and along the Blue Ridge mountains.

Ian's remnant circulation will likely hit Virginia over the weekend, leading to heavy rains across the Appalachians in particular. The NHC said the state could see 3 to 6 inches or rain, with totals as high as 8 inches in some areas.

Go deeper: Hurricane Ian slams southwest Florida with "catastrophic" storm surge

Flooding from Hurricane Ian likely to linger in Florida

Power outages from Hurricane Ian in Florida top 2.6 million

Ian is a hurricane again, heads for Georgia and Carolinas

The biggest threat from the storm may be inland flooding.

A person in Fort Myers, Florida, on Sept. 29 sitting next to a boat that crashes into a building apartment as Hurricane Ian tore through the area.

A person in Fort Myers, Florida, on Sept. 29 sitting next to a boat that crashed into a building as Hurricane Ian tore through the area. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The U.S. is using multilateral talks in Montreal to seek stronger emissions targets for aviation — and the new climate law is providing diplomatic leverage, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an exclusive interview with Axios.

Why it matters: Aviation accounted for just 2% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, but it is growing quickly.

Aviation, along with marine shipping, is exempt from the Paris climate agreement.

Context: Countries oversee the sector through international cooperative organizations, primarily the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

Driving the news: The ICAO has moved slowly to set emissions reduction goals for the industry. The U.S. is working with other countries to speed things up during an ongoing ICAO meeting in Montreal.

The development of new technologies, from sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to electric planes, has helped spur a new push for tougher, albeit nonbinding, targets.

What they're saying: Buttigieg said the recent policy steps the U.S. has taken, such as passing the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Democrats' climate bill, have given the country more credibility as a climate leader at the aviation summit.

"The last time I saw some of the ministers who are here was in Glasgow for the cop talks," Buttigieg said. "And at the time, there were a lot of questions about whether the US was going to be in a position to actually support the kind of goals that we were setting."

Now, he said, "There's enormous momentum coming into this conversation. And it's really energizing for us to be in a leadership position now."

The big picture: The administration has come to the latest ICAO meeting with a sense of urgency, he said, working to get other countries to jump on board its own 2050 net zero target for aviation emissions.

Buttigieg said achieving this target requires a mix of using SAFs, advancing new propulsion technologies, air traffic control and routing reforms that provide flights with more direct, fuel-saving paths, and other measures.

Through the new laws, the Biden administration has incentivized SAF production through FAA grants and federal tax credits.

Between the lines: The ongoing talks are among the first international climate meetings since the new law passed, and could provide early signs of whether it carries weight with other countries.

While SAFs are not a zero carbon fuel, they can reduce the life cycle carbon footprint of flying, and are part of a portfolio of solutions, Buttigieg said.

He noted that SAF production has to be dramatically scaled up to make a dent in aviation's greenhouse gas emissions, and said the U.S. is taking steps to do that.

"SAFs is probably the single biggest tool that we have to advance the decarbonization of this sector but it is not the only one," he said. "We have to recognize that while there are remarkable things being done in terms of new kinds of aircraft and new forms of propulsion that will be making a big difference by the middle of this century, we can't wait that long."

The ICAO proposal the U.S. is backing would also adopt a lower baseline for a carbon offsetting and reduction program, known as CORSIA, to make it more stringent.

Yes, but: The closely followed Climate Action Tracker examined the ICAO proposals, including net zero by 2050, compared to what is needed to achieve the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree temperature target.

The group rated them as "highly" to "critically" insufficient.

What's next: The climate package is likely to be formally considered early next week.

U.S. pushes for aviation emissions cuts at key summit meeting

Pete Buttigieg is aiming for a net zero proposal by 2050.

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