Idalia roared into Florida's Big Bend region but it has since weakened into a tropical storm. Georgia and the Carolinas now stand to be affected as the storm brings heavy rains and flooding.
Biden urged caution as Idalia moved toward the state of GeorgiaImage: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/picture alliance
Advertisement
The worst of Hurricane Idalia appears to be over as storm surge warnings and watches for Florida were lifted Wednesday evening there, the National Hurricane Center said.
Idalia was also downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved over southeastern Georgia, the hurricane center said.
The storm surge watch had been discontinued along the Georgia coast, the center added in its advisory issued at 5 p.m. local time (2100 UTC).
The storm, however, continues to pose risks of localized flooding and strong winds in some parts of Georgia and the Carolinas into Thursday.
US President Joe Biden urged caution, saying Idalia was "still very dangerous" even though it has weakened in intensity.
Idalia roared into Florida's Big Bend region as a powerful hurricane Wednesday morning, bringing powerful winds and rains and knocking out power for thousands of people.
Residents in the Big Bend region of Florida have been inundated with waterImage: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Falling tree kills man in Georgia, 280,0000 without power in Florida
A falling tree killed a man in Georgia who was clearing a blocked roadway, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk told the Associated Press news agency.
A second person was seriously injured by the same tree and a sheriff's deputy suffered minor injuries, she said.
About 90% of homes and businesses in Lowndes County were without electricity as of Wednesday evening.
In one Florida county, officials added snakes to the list of potential dangers people may encounter while treading in flood waters.
The sheriff in the Florida county where Hurricane Idalia made landfall said there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries so far.
About 280,000 customers were without power in Florida, the vast majority of them in the Big Bend region, according to PowerOutage.us.
Advertisement
Storm in southern Georgia
In Florida, authorities had feared a powerful storm surge may have inundated communities in the Big Bend region.
Idalia barreled into Florida's Gulf Coast with fierce winds, torrential rains and pounding surf before weakening and turning its fury on southeastern Georgia, where floodwaters trapped some people in their homes.
Hurricane Idalia tears through Cuba before reaching Florida
As a tropical storm, Idalia caused flooding and damage in Cuba with strong winds and torrential rain. It has now been upgraded to a hurricane as it lands in Florida's Big Bend.
Image: ROB O'NEAL/KEY WEST CITIZEN/AP/picture alliance
Dark omen
Dark clouds hang over the Cuban capital of Havana. The tropical storm nearly reached hurricane levels with sustained winds of 110 kmph (68.4 miles per hour). There were power outages in large parts of Cuba.
Image: YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images
Flooded streets
A man carries a woman through knee-high waters in Batabono, Mayabeque Province, Cuba. Many houses here stand underwater. Other provinces like Pinar del Rio or Isla de la Juventud also experienced flooding. Some 10,000 Cubans had to be brought to safety. Two people died when a house collapsed.
Image: YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images
Preparations underway
Meanwhile, people in Tampa, a city on Florida's west coast, prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Idalia. Residents stock up on sandbags, secure cars and boats, and board windows. Tampa International Airport announced on Tuesday it was suspending commercial operations. In some counties, residents have already been told to leave their homes.
Image: Ivy Ceballo/Zumapress/picture alliance
Empty shelves
Early Wednesday morning, drinking water was already sold out in many supermarkets. Usually, this time of year is the pinnacle of storm season. Last year, Hurricane Ian ravaged the Florida coast, leaving behind heavy damage and killing 50 people. Hurricane Idalia is expected to reach areas spared from the destruction last year.
Image: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
No calm in Cedar Key
The expression "quiet before the storm" didn't apply to the coastal town of Cedar Key. On Tuesday, residents diligently cut particle board to size to protect windows. Everyone pitches in, with people loading cars and stowing essential items in boxes. Meanwhile, winds from Hurricane Idalia reached 155 kilometers per hour.
Image: CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images
Coastal town under water
In the early hours of Wednesday local time, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the coastal community of Tarpon Springs. Streets and buildings were flooded, and a fire could be seen outside the downtown area.
Image: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Dangerous driving
Fallen trees made driving difficult in Clearwater, Florida, as Hurricane Idalia approached Category 4, though it spent most of the day as a Category 3 hurricane. The tropical storm season in the Atlantic takes place from June to November. Experts say climate change has increased the likelihood of stronger storms.
Image: ADREES LATIF/REUTERS
Boardwalk under water
A pier at Clearwater Harbor Marina rattles as a boardwalk is flooded. Smaller tornados could still form and pose another danger in this extreme weather. Fortunately, no major cities on the Florida coast are in the hurricane's path.
Image: MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images
Waist deep
A young woman wades with her mother in Tarpon Springs, Florida as they are forced to evacuate their home. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in dozens of Florida counties. According to authorities, 54,000 houses are without power.
Image: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
9 images1 | 9
Category 3 hurricane
Hours after Idalia arrived as a powerful Category 3 hurricane at Keaton Beach, Florida, packing winds of about 125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour), authorities were still trying to assess the full extent of damage in the worst-hit areas.
At a late afternoon press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — who is in the running to be the Republican nominee for president in 2024 — said there were no immediate reports of hurricane-related fatalities.
DeSantis also said that it seemed most residents in vulnerable, low-lying areas had heeded evacuation orders and warnings to move to higher ground while President Biden confirmed he was regularly in touch with all affected state governors.
Worst conditions imaginable just hours away: Meteorologist
