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Hurricane Ian live updates: Life-threatening surge predicted for Carolinas
Ian has left at least 11 dead across the state of Florida.
Ian regained Category 1 strength Thursday night, with winds at 75 mph as it heads toward South Carolina.
The system had weakened to a tropical storm as it moved over central Florida earlier in the day.
The storm made its first landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.
Latest headlines:
- DeSantis: More than 700 rescues since Ian's landfall
- Ian is once again a Category 1 hurricane
- At least 9 dead in hurricane
- Biden says Ian may be deadliest storm in Florida history
- Hurricane warning issued for entire coast of South Carolina
- 'We've never seen a flood event like this,' Florida governor says
Coast of the Carolinas seeing tropical storm force winds
Tropical storm force winds are lashing much of the coast of the Carolinas before Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall. Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions are expected by Friday afternoon.
Still over water, Hurricane Ian has reached maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.
Power outages have already begun, with 11,750 South Carolina customers and 8,095 North Carolina customers without electricity.
-ABC News' Max Golembo and Jianna Cousin
As flooding begins Charleston police urge 'only essential travel'
Hours before Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall in South Carolina, Charleston police are urging "only essential travel" and announcing road closures.
"We are experiencing flooding in many of our usual locations and implementing road closure procedures. We expect additional closures throughout the day," police said in a tweet.
Flash flood warning issued for Charleston, South Carolina
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Charleston metro area until noon on Friday.
The NWS says that heavy rain and tide will continue to increase and cause life-threatening conditions and flash flooding.
-ABC News' Max Golembo
Florida governor set to hold early morning press conference on Hurricane Ian
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold his next press conference at 8:45 a.m. ET, according to a media advisory provided by his office.
DeSantis will be joined by FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell.
-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway
