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Hurricane Ian has ripped through southwestern Florida, causing mass flooding, destroying thousands of homes and leaving an estimated two million people without power.

The storm is one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States, with sustained winds at almost 150mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Before and after images of the affected areas demonstrate the scale of the destruction.

Storm ‘doing a number’ on Florida – Hurricane Ian live updates

1. Estero Island

These screenshots are from videos filmed facing northwest on the main road of Estero Island, a resort area just south of Fort Myers city.

A huge storm surge has caused mass flooding across southwestern Florida, including at this  seaside location on Estero Island. Pic:loniarchitects via Instagram
Image:
A huge storm surge has caused mass flooding across southwestern Florida, including at this seaside location on Estero Island. Pic: loniarchitects via Instagram

The image on the left was shared on Instagram just as the storm began to hit. In it, there is flooding in the road but the swimming pool and parking area remain untouched.

But in the right-hand shot, posted two hours after, the pool and car park are completely submerged. Cars also appear to float in the deluge.

In the image on the left, the car park is clear but it is completely submerged in the image shared just two hours later. Pic: loniarchitects via Instagram
Image:
In the image on the left, the car park is clear but it is completely submerged in the image shared just two hours later. Pic: loniarchitects via Instagram

A second comparison shows the extent of the flooding in the nearby car park more clearly.

2. Sanibel Island

This time-lapse footage shows a similar scene on Sanibel Island, a few miles to the west.

It was captured early yesterday afternoon by a traffic camera located on the island’s Periwinkle Way. Within 30 minutes, the street was engulfed by rising floodwaters, despite being nearly a mile inland.

3. Naples Pier

The coastal city of Naples, which is around 40 miles to the south, has also been severely affected.

This webcam captured the scene at the beach by Naples Pier after the hurricane hit.

Slide the marker across the image below to see what the beach looked like yesterday compared to three days ago.

4. Naples Fire and Rescue Headquarters

The left-hand image, taken from a video shared by the Naples Fire Department, show the situation in the city itself.

High floodwaters can be seen outside this fire department building in the city of Naples. Pic: Naples Fire-Rescue Department
Image:
High floodwaters can be seen outside this fire department building in the city of Naples. Pic: Naples Fire-Rescue Department

The bushes just outside the building are almost entirely submerged in several feet of water.

In another screengrab, we can see that the red water pipes situated to the left of the vehicle entranceway are also underwater.

The area outside the fire department building is under several feet of water. Pic: Naples Fire-Rescue Department
Image:
The area outside the fire department building is under several feet of water. Pic: Naples Fire-Rescue Department

5. Park Shore Drive, Naples

Another video captured by Naples Fire and Rescue shows the rescue of a driver trapped inside their car due to rising floodwater.

The entire road is completely flooded, trapping a driver inside their car. Pic: Naples Fire Rescue Department
Image:
The entire road is completely flooded, trapping a driver inside their car. Pic: Naples Fire Rescue Department

The picture on the right, taken from Google Maps imagery captured in June, demonstrates the scale of the storm surge.

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US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

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US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.

The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.

Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.

The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.

He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.

Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.

He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.

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For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.

Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.

In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.

Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.

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Michigan: 11 people stabbed in US supermarket – with six in critical condition

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Michigan: 11 people stabbed in US supermarket - with six in critical condition

At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.

Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.

Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.

The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.

“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”

Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.

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Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”

A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.

“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.

Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.

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Plane plunges 300ft in 36 seconds to avoid another aircraft

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Plane plunges 300ft in 36 seconds to avoid another aircraft

A US passenger plane made a dramatic plunge minutes after take-off to dodge another aircraft – injuring two cabin crew and causing passengers to shoot out of their seats.

The Southwest flight had just taken off from Burbank in California when the pilot received an alert about a nearby plane.

Data from FlightAware shows the aircraft dropped by 91m (300ft) in just 36 seconds. Those on board said they felt panicked, and some feared the plane was about to crash.

Comedian Jimmy Dore posted on X: “Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid mid-air collision … myself and plenty of people flew out of their seats and bumped heads on ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention.”

Stef Zambrano saw a woman who wasn’t wearing her seatbelt thrown out of her seat, who then said: “I want to get off this plane. I want to be on the ground.”

Another passenger, Steve Ulasewicz, told NBC Los Angeles that it felt like the plane was in freefall for 10 seconds.

“People were screaming. You know, it was pandemonium. People thought the plane was going down,” he added.

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The aircraft was able to continue to its destination of Las Vegas, where it safely landed without any further incident.

It is believed the Boeing 737 was in the same vicinity as a Hawker Hunter Mk. 58, a British fighter jet.

Southwest is now working with the Federal Aviation Administration “to further understand the circumstances” of the event.

Read more US news:
Trump issues warning as he arrives in Scotland
US justice department interviews Ghislaine Maxwell

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January: Footage of Washington plane crash

This is the second time in a week that a passenger plane has had to make abrupt flight manoeuvres to avoid a potential mid-air collision.

Concerns have been raised about aviation safety in the US following a series of recent incidents.

In January, a mid-air collision in Washington DC killed 67 people.

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