Hurricane Idalia Strikes Florida as Category 3 Storm, Causing Widespread Damage
STEINHATCHEE, Florida, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on Wednesday as an “extremely dangerous” Category 3 storm, unleashing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Residents had evacuated or sought shelter in anticipation of the storm surge, which was forecasted to cause coastal flooding up to 16 feet deep along the state’s Gulf Coast.
Idalia arrived at Keaton Beach, a community in Taylor County, around 7:45 a.m. EDT (1145 GMT). County Commissioner Jamie English described the situation in Taylor County as severe, with gusting winds, power outages, and flying debris. Video footage from Keaton Beach showed heavy downpours and trees swaying in the wind, with electrical lines sparking along the side of a roadway.
Initially classified as an “extremely dangerous Category 4” storm, Idalia weakened slightly to Category 3 as it made landfall. Maximum sustained winds were recorded at 125 mph (201 km). Any storm reaching Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane.
The Big Bend region, where Taylor County is located, features a sparsely populated marshy coast and a cluster of small offshore islands. Many low-lying areas along the coast were expected to experience a surge of wind-driven surf, with warnings posted for hundreds of miles of shoreline. The surge could rise as high as 16 feet, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Florida, along with parts of Georgia and South Carolina, were under hurricane warnings and other storm-related advisories. State emergency declarations were issued across the region. The Gulf Coast of Florida, southeastern Georgia, and eastern parts of North and South Carolina were forecasted to receive significant rainfall, with isolated areas possibly seeing up to a foot.
Officials emphasized the danger posed by the storm surge, urging residents to seek shelter in buildings with multiple stories. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the risk, stating, “If you end up with a storm surge that even approaches 16 feet, the chances of surviving that are not great.”
President Joe Biden and Governor DeSantis were in constant contact about storm preparations. Biden was expected to address the government’s response efforts later in the day.
Idalia gained strength from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico after passing west of Cuba, where it caused significant damage. This marks the fourth major hurricane to hit Florida in the past seven years, following Irma in 2017, Michael in 2018, and Ian in 2022.
The impact of Idalia led to the cancellation of classes in over 40 school districts in Florida. Tampa International Airport suspended commercial operations, and thousands of National Guard members were mobilized. The state also prepared 1.1 million gallons of gasoline to address potential interruptions to fuel supplies.
As Hurricane Idalia continues its path through Florida, residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow all safety recommendations from local authorities.