Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, stronger than experts initially predicted. It has been seriously affecting Florida’s Big Bend region since Wednesday morning.
Track Hurricane Idalia live:
The storm began to approach the coast on Tuesday afternoon and throughout the night. Large cloud formations could be seen from the beaches on the state’s west coast. According to the National Hurricane Center, Idalia is bringing winds up to 130 mph and 16-foot waves, significant rainfall, and flooding.
Throughout Wednesday, the effects of Idalia left more than 270,000 customers without power in Florida and more than 100,000 in Georgia, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us. The counties with the most damage to their electrical infrastructure are Wakulla, Taylor, Dixie, Lafayette, Suwannee, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Columbia, Gilchrist and Levy. In those counties, 60% of customers were left without power.
A plane being evacuated from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL due to Hurricane #Idalia recorded St. Elmo's Fire, a lightning-like weather phenomenon which is a coronal discharge of plasma.#Idalia #HurricaneIdalia #HurricaneFranklin #Florida #Hurricane pic.twitter.com/vPLjV10HY5
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) August 30, 2023
However, things seem to be slowly getting back to normal. Florida’s governor announced that the state’s airports in Tampa, Gainesville and Tallahassee will reopen this Wednesday. At a press conference, DeSantis confirmed that all three will open later this afternoon and that flights will begin operating normally as soon as weather permits.
Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the list of counties in states of emergency to a total of 49 counties, in addition to ordering evacuations in 30 of them. The counties on the coast are the most vulnerable. The city of Cedar Key, located on Cedar Key Island, is an example of a particularly vulnerable area. There, the waves and wind have caused severe damage throughout the city. Many people used sandbags for extra reinforcement.
🇺🇸 | AHORA - HURACÁN IDALIA: Cedar Key, Florida: pic.twitter.com/qgdZ0CreO2
— Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) August 30, 2023
According to experts, the effects of Idalia are being intensified by the current supermoon. This lunar phenomenon raises tides above normal levels while exacerbating flooding.
A significant amount of water is coming onshore in Madeira Beach. Deputies are going to begin closing portions of Gulf Boulevard between 129th Avenue and 150th Avenue. #Idalia pic.twitter.com/a1axPnCgrh
— Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas) August 30, 2023
Gov. DeSantis asked people in Florida to “have a plan in place and make sure your hurricane supply kit is stocked.”
🇺🇸 | HURACÁN IDALIA: Imágenes de la emblemática boya que marca el punto más al sur de los Estados Unidos en Cayo Hueso. pic.twitter.com/uoETbAXSyI
— UHN Plus (@UHN_Plus) August 29, 2023
According to authorities, some counties could resume their activities as soon as this Thursday. Schools are expected to reopen in Osceola, Orange, Volusia, Lake and Brevard counties as soon as the storm has passed.
🚨Storm surge in Cedar Key is brutal!
PRAY FOR CEDAR KEY! 🙏#HurricaneIdalia #Idalia pic.twitter.com/Yx3xa7nD2k
— Chris Nelson 🇺🇸 🏝 (@ReOpenChris) August 30, 2023
List of counties under Florida state of emergency:
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hemando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla.
Hurricane #Idalia Advisory 14A: Idalia Rapidly Intensifies Into a Major Hurricane. Catastrophic Storm Surge and Destructive Winds Expected in The Florida Big Bend Region This Morning When Idalia Moves Inland. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 30, 2023
Counties with evacuation orders:
Mandatory evacuation: Citrus, Dixie, Gulf, Lafayette, Levy, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwanee, Taylor, Alachua, Flager, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Leon, St Johns, Wakulla.
Voluntary evacuation: Baker, Madison, Hamilton, Marion, Putnam, Union, Volusia.
Evacuation according to the area: Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Nassau, Sumter.
Details for each county and area are available on the Florida Emergency Services website.
There are more than 300 Florida Highway Patrol who are on standby to escort FDOT equipment, linemen and other resources into areas in need, and are ready to deploy as soon as conditions improve. pic.twitter.com/X2Bj0nJljg
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 30, 2023
Heading to Georgia
After Florida, Idalia will head northeast toward Georgia and South Carolina. South Georgia and its coast have been experiencing gusts of wind up to 78 mph. On Wednesday, about 38,000 customers in Georgia were without power.
DeSantis warns of looting after Idalia
Following reports of looting in Steinhatchee, a village in Taylor County, the governor warned of severe consequences for those who engage in it. “We will not tolerate any looting after a natural disaster,” he said at a press conference.
He also reminded offenders that they never know who they might be messing with, given that the Second Amendment is highly respected in that county. “I’d also just remind potential looters that people… you never know what you’re walking into. People have a right to defend their property,” he added.
We will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of those in the path of Hurricane Idalia.
Looters beware, Floridians will defend their homes and families. pic.twitter.com/lUsL2Ol91A
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 30, 2023
For Biden, Idalia is another example of the “climate crisis”
The president said he had spoken with all the governors of the states most affected by the heavy winds and rains and was prepared to mobilize federal resources to help where he can. Deanne Criswell, president of FEMA, will meet with DeSantis in the Sunshine State.
At the same time, she assured that Idalia is the perfect example to evidence the climate crisis facing the United States. “I don’t think anybody can deny the impact of the climate crisis anymore. Just look around. Historic floods, more intense droughts, extreme heat, [and] significant wildfires have caused significant damage like we have never seen before,” she added.
Idalia moves into South Carolina
At 8 p.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center reported that Idalia was moving across South Carolina with sustained winds of 65 mph.
“On the forecast track, the center of Idalia will move near or along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina through tonight and then just offshore the coast of North Carolina on Thursday. Idalia will then move eastward over the western Atlantic into the weekend,” the center’s statement said.
Charleston Harbor records fifth highest water level
The Weather Service released that the water level in Charleston Harbor is already at 9.03 ft, making it the fifth highest water level, behind the 9.29 ft recorded in 2016 with Hurricane Matthew and 9.92 ft with Hurricane Irma in 2017. The highest level was recorded in 1989 during Hurricane Hugo (12.52 ft).
URGENT: Dangerous coastal inundation is going across much of the lower South Carolina coast. Do not go to the beach and stay out of flood waters. Tide levels in the Charleston Harbor are now over 9..03 ft MLLW (3.27 ft MHHW). This is a dangerous situation! #chswx #scwx
— NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) August 30, 2023
Florida Bridges Cleared
Governor Ron DeSantis reported that all state bridges in Florida, including the Cedar Key Bridge, have been cleared.
“This is an important step in recovery and will allow first responders, law enforcement, utility linemen and supplies to come onto the island,” he said.
In less than 12 hours after Hurricane #Idalia made landfall, FDOT was able to clear all state bridges, including the Cedar Key Bridge.
This is an important step in recovery and will allow first responders, law enforcement, utility linemen and supplies to come onto the island.— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 31, 2023
