Florida’s west coast has been severely affected by Hurricane Idalia, which is said to be the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Big Bend region in at least 125 years. The storm caused record water levels and damaged thousands of homes along its path. After making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, Idalia also impacted parts of southeast Georgia and the Carolinas, causing coastal flooding and widespread power outages.
The storm particularly devastated Florida’s Big Bend area, tearing off roofs and flooding homes as it pushed seawater onshore. Many of the affected areas were ill-equipped to handle such a powerful hurricane due to limited resources. US Rep. Jared Moskowitz described the event as a “life-changing event” for some counties.
Officials had issued evacuation orders before the storm surge caused record-high water levels in Tampa Bay and the Big Bend. Idalia downed power lines and caused flooding in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Flash flooding was reported in Wilmington, North Carolina, and trees were torn down in Charleston, South Carolina.
Tragically, there have been several storm-related fatalities reported. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed one unconfirmed fatality in Florida, with two additional deaths related to severe storm conditions. One death was reported in Georgia’s Lowndes County after a tree fell on a man cutting a tree on a highway.
The storm continues to impact the Carolinas, with Idalia’s center of 60 mph winds located southwest of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The storm is expected to move along North Carolina’s coast later on Thursday, causing more rain and potential flooding. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain have already fallen in southeastern parts of North Carolina, leading to flash flood warnings.
Thousands of homes have been damaged, with between 4,000 and 6,000 homes in Florida’s Pasco County experiencing flooding. South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor saw water levels spike to over 9 feet, breaking records. Numerous power outages have been reported, with thousands of homes and businesses without power in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors to avoid downed trees and power lines. Authorities have issued boil water advisories for some areas in Florida, and school districts that closed ahead of the storm are gradually reopening.
Although Idalia has weakened to a tropical storm, the threat of storm surge remains as it moves along the East Coast. The hurricane center warns of heavy rainfall and the possibility of isolated tornadoes in North Carolina. Florida’s central region could see additional rain as well. Idalia’s storm surge shattered records in several Florida locations, surpassing previous records set by other hurricanes.
As affected communities work to recover from the devastation, it is clear that Hurricane Idalia has left a lasting impact on the region, with many areas facing major rebuilding efforts and significant changes to their landscapes.