Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the US, has completely swamped south-west Florida, turning streets into rivers, knocking out power to two million people and threatening catastrophic damage further inland.
Tag Archives: oceania
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Trapped Floridians film 'catastrophic' floods as hurricane rages
Floridians trapped in high-rises have filmed the "catastrophic" extent of flooding after Hurricane Ian made landfall with winds approaching 250km/h.
The storm, one of the strongest-ever recorded in the US, touched down as a Category Four system near Cayo Costa, a protected barrier island just west of heavily populated Fort Myers, earlier today.
Joe Guerra, one Fort Myers local, filmed a powerful storm surge from his apartment as it inundated streets and homes.
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Guerra said the scenes unfolding below him are heartbreaking to watch.
"This is truly catastrophic and it's still not finished," he told 9news.com.au.
Devin Turk was sent similar video from a friend trapped in the Oasis Tower, further downtown.
Turk managed to evacuate before the storm hit, and confirmed his friend was safe.
"My heart breaks right now for my community. It's so hard to watch the devastation this storm is bringing," he wrote on Twitter.
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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) major flooding of over two metres has occurred across the coastal town.
Fort Myers Council is now urging residents to conserve water as the slow-moving hurricane tracks inland.
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A city-wide curfew is also in place.
"The City has issued an emergency citywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of residents, visitors, and first responders," the council said on Twitter.
"The curfew is in effect beginning at 6pm for 48 hours. We thank you for your cooperation."
https://twitter.com/NWS/status/1575305935928565763
The National Weather Service said life-threatening flooding will also occur across parts of central Florida.
Across the state, more than two million people were without power Wednesday night as the storm battered the state.
It has since been downgraded to a Category One.
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TGA provisionally approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for under-fives
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six months to five years old has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The vaccine will require approval from immunisation body ATAGI before it can be rolled out to the public.
"Today's provisional approval is an important reminder for parents to speak to their healthcare professional about COVID-19 vaccination," Pfizer Australia and New Zealand medical director Dr Krishan Thiru said.
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If opened to the public, a Pfizer vaccination course for under-fives will consist of three doses.
Children with COVID-19 are less likely to grow seriously ill than adults, but are still at risk of compications.
Moderna received approval in August for its vaccine for children aged six months to six years, but only for high-risk cases.
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About 70,000 children nationwide are deemed to be at high risk of developing serious illness if they contract COVID-19.
They are severely immunocompromised, have a disability, and those who have complex or multiple health conditions.
ATAGI has not yet recommended a COVID-19 vaccine be rolled out for all children under five.