Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday morning in Florida as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, promising to unleash “life-threatening” storm surge, damaging winds and heavy rainfall on millions of Sunshine State residents.
Idalia, which has strengthened significantly over the past 24 hours, was briefly categorized as a Category 4 storm before peaking at 125 mph sustained winds as it made landfall at 7:45 a.m. near Keaton Beach in Taylor County.
By 9 a.m., Idalia weakened to a Category 2 storm, The National Hurricane Center said, still warning of an ongoing “catastrophic storm surge.” Idalia’s maximum sustained winds are now 110 mph, down 15 mph from a Category 3 gust of 125 mph.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday morning in Florida as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, promising to unleash a “life-threatening” storm surge.Getty Images
Idalia was categorized as a Category 4 storm before winds peaked at 125 mph while making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region. Getty Images
Interstate 275 above Tampa Bay, Florida, is flooded as a result of Hurricane Idalia. AP
National Hurricane Center be warned that “changes in wind speed do not reduce the threat of catastrophic storm surges and damaging winds.”
A storm surge threat extends about 200 miles from Florida’s west coast, including the state’s Big Bend area, a sparsely populated area where the peninsula joins the Panhandle, which is expecting storm surges of 12 to 16 feet.
The threat of storm surges, as well as wind damage, has officials with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee warning that some places “may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”
The damaging winds caused by Hurricane Idalia left more than 130,000 Floridians without power Wednesday morning.NOAA
A vehicle sits on a flooded road caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Florida.Getty Images
Flood waters caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore surround buildings on August 30, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Florida.Getty Images
Damaging winds left more than 130,000 Floridians without power Wednesday morning as Idalia shut down the state, PowerOutage.us showed.
Areas most affected include Taylor and Dixie counties, including Horseshoe Beach, where a scary beach cam video the caught waves surged onto the beach just before the power went out.
The ferocious storm – which has 14 million Floridians under hurricane and tropical storm warnings – dumped heavy rain on western Cuba before hitting Florida’s Gulf coast.
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 46 of the state’s 67 counties as thousands of National Guard soldiers were deployed to the area ahead of Idalia’s impact.
Maps show continued rain and thunderstorms in the area, as Hurricane Idalia moves inland. Fox weather
A large amount of water will come ashore on the Madeira Coast. Deputies will begin closing the portion of Teluk Boulevard between 129th Avenue and 150th Avenue. #Ideal pic.twitter.com/a1axPnCgrh
— Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (@SheriffPinellas) August 30, 2023
“If you’re told to evacuate, you need to do it now,” he said during a news briefing Tuesday as evacuation orders were issued in 22 counties.
From Tuesday through Thursday, Florida’s Gulf coast and southeastern parts of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina could see 4 to 8 inches of heavy rain. All face multiple storm, tropical storm and storm surge warnings and advisories.
Potentially “life-threatening” winds are another concern as the core of Idalia moves ashore through the Big Bend area, according to the National Hurricane Center.
People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Mayabeque province, Cuba, on August 29, 2023, during Tropical Storm Idalia. AFP via Getty Images
A man rides a tricycle through a flooded street in Havana on August 29, 2023, during the path of Tropical Storm Idalia. AFP via Getty Images
Officials with the National Hurricane Center warned, “These wind speed changes do not reduce the threat of catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds.” via REUTERS
More than 40 school districts across the affected region have canceled classes, DeSantis said.
Tolls were waived on highways out of the danger zone on Tuesday as more than 30,000 utility workers gathered ahead of possible power outages.
Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater said they will be closed Tuesday, and Sunrail commuter rail service in Orlando is suspended. Tampa International Airport will be closed indefinitely starting Tuesday, and will not reopen until officials can assess damage from the storm.
Tolls were waived on highways out of the danger zone on Tuesday, according to reports. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 46 of Florida’s 67 counties, as Hurricane Idalia roared toward Florida’s Gulf coast. Fox weather
Orlando International Airport, the closest to Walt Disney World Resorts, said Wednesday that although it is “open and operational,” disruptions and flight delays are expected throughout the day.
Florida’s major theme parks, including Walt Disney World resorts, are closing several attractions as Idalia moves toward the state’s Big Bend region.
Several people have boarded their business doors and windows in preparation for Hurricane Idalia.Getty Images
A man carries a woman on his back as he wades through water in a flooded area in Batabano, Mayabeque Province, Cuba, on August 28, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
“We are closely monitoring the path of the projected weather as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members,” the resort announced.
President Biden on Monday said he had approved an emergency declaration for Florida.
In addition to Idalia’s historic impact, major Florida cities such as Tampa, Jacksonville and Sarasota could also face tornadoes in the coming days.
Both southwest Florida and Cuba are still recovering from Hurricane Ian, which caused more than 100 deaths last year and left some Florida residents without power for more than a month.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
