In a horrifying display of the destructive power of Hurricane Idalia, drone footage captured the city of Tampa submerged under floodwater.
The monster storm, which was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, continued to barrel through Georgia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
At least two people have tragically lost their lives during the hurricane. Pasco County officials confirmed that one individual, aged 40, crashed his Ford Ranger, while a second person, aged 59, swerved into a ditch in Gainesville.
The water levels in Tampa Bay surpassed 4.5 feet on Wednesday morning, surpassing the previous high water mark set by Tropical Storm Eta in 2020. The video footage shows the streets of Tampa Bay covered in floodwater, leaving large areas of the west of the Sunshine State underwater.
Idalia made landfall on Florida's Big Bend at Keaton Beach at 7:45 am on Wednesday and is currently barreling its way across Georgia, heading towards South Carolina. Some residents who chose to ride out the hurricane at home were forced to "swim out of their windows" to escape the rising water.
Brenda and Phil Henley, residents of Crystal River, witnessed their neighbors and fellow residents fleeing their homes through windows due to the rapidly rising water. They recounted the harrowing experience, stating, "Swimming out of their windows, literally, from their homes. I said we got to get out of here because we're fixing to get flooded out."
The impact of Hurricane Idalia has left many residents in shock. One man in Perry, Florida, expressed his uncertainty about the fate of his home, saying, "I don't know if I have a house to go back to. This right here, it's horrible. We have never seen this before. Category one has scared us. Usually we ride it out. This right here is bad."
The destructive power of the hurricane is evident in the damage caused to properties. One house resembled a doll's house, with its walls partially ripped down, yet miraculously, the furniture inside survived the worst of the winds. A bed remained secured in place, and a television remained attached to the wall despite the battering by gale-force winds.
Officials have described the storm surge caused by Hurricane Idalia as "apocalyptic," reaching a staggering 16 feet. The catastrophic flooding has resulted in water breaching homes across Steinhatchee, while 110 mph winds continue to batter the state.
Even the Governor's mansion was not spared from the storm's wrath. Florida's First Lady, Casey DeSantis, posted online, showing a fallen tree on the mansion's premises. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
Rescue efforts are still underway, with crews searching for a passenger who fell overboard from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas, on Tuesday, off the coast of Cuba.
To ensure the safety of residents, a curfew has been imposed in Madison County, Florida, which borders Georgia. The curfew will be in effect from 8 pm until 8 am on Thursday.
Rescue operations have already saved more than 75 people from floodwaters in St. Petersburg, and efforts are ongoing. The hurricane's impact stretches from Central Florida to southern Georgia, covering approximately 250 miles as of Wednesday morning.
This hurricane is the strongest to make landfall in the Big Bend region in 127 years, matching the strength of an unnamed hurricane in 1896. President Joe Biden has been receiving updates on the hurricane's path and has spoken with Governor DeSantis to offer support.
Deanne Criswell, the FEMA administrator, assured the public that the federal government is ready to provide assistance. She stated, "The president reiterated that if anything is needed from the federal government, we will be able to support. We have over 1,000 personnel currently deployed, prepared to support not just Florida but all of our states that are in the path as needed."
The aftermath of Hurricane Idalia will require extensive inspections and repairs. Authorities estimate that nearly 1,000 bridges in Florida will need to be inspected for storm damage, along with major roadways that cross the Steinhatchee River and the Suwannee River on the Big Bend coast.
During an address from the White House, President Biden acknowledged the impact of the climate crisis, stating, "I don't think anybody can deny the impact of the climate crisis now. The impacts of this storm are being felt throughout the Southeast." He assured the public that his administration is fully committed to leading and coordinating responses to natural disasters.
As the hurricane continues to wreak havoc, tens of thousands of people are under evacuation orders, and over 260,000 residents are without power. Tornado watches have been issued across Florida, as well as parts of North and South Carolina, until at least 10 pm on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service reported that Lowndes County in Georgia experienced between 3 to 5 inches of rain in less than an hour. As of noon, over 100,000 customers in Georgia were without power.
Authorities are warning residents of Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, to prepare for life-threatening storm surges. Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia confirmed that the southern part of the state has already experienced a heavy impact, including flash flooding, downed trees, and the possibility of up to 10 inches of rain in some areas.
In South Carolina, Charleston County authorities are advising residents to stay indoors for the next 24 hours to minimize the risk of harm. Tallahassee, Florida, managed to avoid the brunt of the storm, according to Governor DeSantis, who stated, "We were fortunately spared from the worst."
This hurricane is the latest in a series of storms to hit Florida, which is still recovering from the devastating Hurricane Ian in 2022, which cost the state $113 billion in repairs. Keaton Beach, where Hurricane Idalia made landfall, has experienced only two storms of this magnitude in the past century.
The eyewall of the hurricane, described as the most devastating region of the storm, surrounds the eye. The eye is a roughly circular area with comparatively light winds at the center of a severe tropical cyclone. It is either completely or partially surrounded by the eyewall cloud, an organized band or ring of cumulonimbus clouds that encircle the eye.
The convergence of winds in the eyewall is so strong that the air rises faster and with more force than anywhere else in a hurricane, resulting in intense rain and damaging winds.
The region affected by Hurricane Idalia has experienced similar devastation in the past. In March 1993, the area was struck by what was referred to as "the storm of the century," with wind gusts exceeding 90 miles per hour, tornadoes, and a devastating storm surge that claimed the lives of at least seven individuals in the county.
Despite the destruction caused by Hurricane Idalia, Tampa's airport announced that it would be reopening at 4 pm after sustaining minimal damage from the storm. The hurricane rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm due to warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching speeds of up to 156 mph before weakening to 125 mph shortly after 7 am and 110 mph at 9 am.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings of catastrophic storm surges of up to 12 to 16 feet in the worst-affected areas, urging residents to evacuate immediately. The NHC also warned of the potential for tornadoes and flash flooding as the hurricane continues its path.
As the cleanup and recovery efforts begin, communities are coming together to support one another. Local organizations and volunteers are providing shelter, food, and supplies to those affected by the storm. The Red Cross has set up emergency shelters in various locations, offering a safe haven for displaced residents.
The impact of Hurricane Idalia serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change. Scientists have long warned about the consequences of rising sea levels and warmer ocean temperatures, which fuel the strength of hurricanes. It is crucial for governments and individuals to take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable communities.
In the midst of this tragedy, stories of resilience and bravery emerge. First responders and emergency personnel are working tirelessly to rescue those in need and provide aid to affected areas. The spirit of unity and compassion displayed by communities in the face of adversity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
As the remnants of Hurricane Idalia continue to move across the Southeast, it is essential for residents in its path to stay informed and heed the advice of local authorities. Evacuation orders and safety precautions should be followed to ensure the well-being of individuals and their families.
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