As Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023, reporters in downtown Tarpon Springs, Florida, waded through flood waters.
Image Source: Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Hurricane Idalia, with maximum sustained winds exceeding 100 miles per hour, has made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast, becoming an “extremely dangerous” storm.
The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about catastrophic storm surges along the coast, with potential life-threatening flooding of up to 16 feet.
About 30 out of 67 counties in Florida have issued evacuation orders. The state’s emergency management agency advises people to shelter in place if they remain in their homes.
During a morning press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the importance of not taking any risks with the storm that could endanger lives.
More than 50,000 people in Florida are currently without power as of Wednesday morning.
Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach, less than 90 miles away from Tallahassee, the state capital, at 8 a.m. ET. It was classified as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 125 miles per hour. It has since weakened to a Category 2 storm with maximum winds of 110 miles per hour.
Governor DeSantis stated that rescue operations will commence once the winds have subsided. The state has assembled eight urban search and rescue teams and over 5,000 members of the National Guard for assistance. The Coast Guard is also prepared to provide aid.
Hurricane Idalia causes flooding on Interstate 275 over Tampa Bay in Florida on August 30, 2023.
Image Source: Florida Department of Transportation | AP
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey informed NBC News that Idalia is projected to be the most substantial storm in the history of Florida’s state capital. He advised residents to stay home and prioritize their safety.
In anticipation of Idalia making landfall, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency on Monday. This declaration enables coordination of disaster relief efforts between the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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