38 drownings linked to Hurricane Ian so far, authorities say. Most were in Lee County

MIAMI — At least 38 people drowned in Florida because of Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic storm surge and flooding, authorities said Tuesday.

So far, Florida’s Medical Examiners Commission has confirmed the causes of 68 Ian-related deaths. Thirty-eight of those include drownings. Twenty-seven of those drownings, or about 71%, happened in Lee County. For the victims whose age is known, all are 50 or older.

At least 100 Florida deaths spanning 12 counties have been linked to Hurricane Ian, according to information from the Medical Examiners Commission and county sheriffs offices.