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Idalia made landfall at about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday near Keaton Beach in Florida’s Big Bend, a densely forested and rural region. The storm came ashore southeast of Tallahassee as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. Nearly half of Florida’s 67 counties issued at least partial evacuation orders Wednesday morning, urging residents who live in mobile homes and low-lying, flood-prone areas to seek shelter and higher ground as NOAA ‘Hurricane Hunter’ aircraft prowled the skies near the storm, collecting important meteorological data.
Here’s a look at the storm’s impact and strength:
Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Taylor County, Florida before crossing into Georgia.
Videos show widespread flooding and damage across Idalia’s path.
Hundreds of thousands are experiencing power outages in Florida and Georgia.
Idalia briefly reached Category 4 status overnight before weakening to a tropical storm by late Wednesday afternoon. The storm’s destructive winds and heavy rains knocked out power for over 450,000 customers in Florida and Georgia. In a news conference early Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that more than 30,000 linemen were stationed to lead a restoration effort to aid the 185,000 Floridians left in the dark.
In Georgia, more than 260,000 customers were without power Wednesday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. Flooding, high winds and downed trees caused the outages. Duke Energy, one of the major energy companies servicing Florida, reported over 60,000 customers in the state without power and more than 700 active outages Wednesday afternoon — most concentrated just west of Tampa.
Idalia’s landfall caused tide levels to surge in Cedar Key and surrounding areas. The Steinhatchee River showed levels well above flood stage.
Mapped NOAA data shows rivers flooding across Florida and Georgia.
As the storm moves away from the shore, it could cause an additional life-threatening hazard: inland flooding. Even after hurricanes lose strength while moving across land, they can bring heavy rain which can overwhelm drainage systems and cause flooding. Portions of Georgia and the Carolinas are at risk of freshwater flooding.
How does storm surge work?
While wind speeds grab our attention as a hurricane approaches, one of the more deadly and destructive aspects of these storms is storm surge, the surge of water that moves over the shore and up into rivers and bays at landfall. The sudden rise of water topped by already high and powerful waves delivers a battering blow that can sweep homes off their foundations and flood low-lying areas miles inland.
How big was Hurricane Idalia at landfall?
Though the storm was not a perfect circle, it spanned nearly 350 miles across, an area about the size of Colorado, which measures 380 miles across.
When did Idalia make landfall? August 30 — most major U.S. hurricanes reach shore in September.
More than half of major hurricanes dating back to 1851 made landfall in September, according to research conducted by Philip Klotzbach at Colorado State University.
How much damage did Idalia cause? An estimated $18-20 billion
While the extent of Idalia’s destruction remains to be seen, an AccuWeather report estimates the storm is already responsible for $18 billion to $20 billion in damage. Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., ranks as the third-costliest hurricane in the country’s history. The storm last year resulted in over $115 billion in damages related to flooding, structural damage and electrical outages, making it the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history.
Where is Idalia now? Follow Idalia’s path across Florida and Georgia with our hurricane tracker.
See Idalia’s effects on live shore cams across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
Still in Idalia’s path? Make sure to prepare a hurricane kit or go-bag.
A go-bag is usually a small, lightweight backpack you can grab in a moment’s notice on your way out the door. It should include personal items, toiletries, food, and water.
As the storm weakened post-landfall, several Florida counties began lifting orders. Idalia is expected to turn northeast and continue toward parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina late Wednesday and Thursday.
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Javier Zarracina, and Shawn J. Sullivan.
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