30 August 2023 , 11:51
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The hurricane that started out as Tropical Storm Idalia before intensifying into an "extremely dangerous major Category 4 hurricane" has finally made landfall after a tense few days, slamming into Florida's western shoreline.
Idalia came ashore in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula. Major flooding is being reported in the area. At 7:45am, the National Hurricane Center announced: "Extremely dangerous Category 3 Hurricane #Idalia makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be 125 mph. Catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds ongoing."
Thousands of people, prisoners, businesses and more have evacuated amid terrifying warnings from Governor Ron DeSantis. Idalia is sustaining winds of up to 130mph. Thousands of people have been left without power due to the storm surge.
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Hurricane Idalia has made landfall (CNN)Access to Treasure Island in Florida has been restricted as the area has flooded and the bridges remain closed. Extensive flooding is also reported in Steinhatchee. Alafia River at Riverview has reportedly reached 6.29 feet, while power flashes are also reported in Perry. Roads near Perry were seen in pictures filled with debris as the hurricane passed.
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(JimCantore/Twitter)Multiple trees were seen partially submerged as Hurricane Idalia hit. Horseshoe Beach on Florida's western shore. Heavy flooding due to storm surge is also reported in Cedar Key. Roads were also reportedly closed in Huson. Hillsborough River in Florida was also seen overflooding.
(AP)Heavy flooding is reported on Bayshore Boulevard. Power outages are reportedly affecting over 100,000 people in Wakulla, Lafayette, and Dixie Counties. Only in Tyler XCounty, at least 161,000 customers are without power, while residences are flooded in Hernando County as well.
(Getty Images)Tolls have been waived on highways in and out of the danger area, shelters have been opened, hotels are preparing to take evacuees and more than 30,000 utility workers are being prepared to make repairs as quickly as possible in the hurricane's wake, according to Governor Ron DeSantis. It comes as the state is still dealing with lasting damage from Hurricane Ian last year.
Hurricane Idalia has made landfall (NHC_Atlantic/Twitter)Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. It produced catastrophic storm surge, damaging winds and historic freshwater flooding across much of central and northern Florida. Ian was responsible for more than 150 direct and indirect deaths along with more than $112 billion in damage.
Major flooding is being reported in the area (/Twitter)Ahead of Hurricane Idalia's arrival, Governor DeSantis issued a warning at the state's emergency operations centre. He said: "You still have time this morning to make your final preparations... but you gotta do that now."
He added: "You do not have to leave the state. You don't have to drive hundreds of miles. You have to get to higher ground in a safe structure. You can ride the storm out there, then go back to your home."
Flood waters as Idalia inundates the downtown area after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore (Getty Images)Idalia's centre was predicted to hit a lightly populated area of the Gulf Coast known as the Big Bend before crossing the peninsula and drenching southern Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday.
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“Right now, the biggest hazards are storm surge,” Robbie Berg, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Tuesday morning. “We’re expecting a surge as much as 8 to 12 feet above normal tide levels in portions of the Big Bend area of Florida.”
The latest projections for the worst of the stormIdalia is the first storm to hit Florida this hurricane season, but only the latest in a summer of natural disasters, including wildfires in Hawaii, Canada and Greece; the first tropical storm to hit California in 84 years, and devastating flooding in Vermont.
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Where the storm will begin pummeling Florida in the latest mapDeSantis declared a state of emergency in 46 counties, a broad swath that stretches across the northern half of the state from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast. The state has mobilised 1,100 National Guard members, who have 2,400 high-water vehicles and 12 aircraft at their disposal for rescue and recovery efforts.
Where the eye of the storm currently isTampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport said they would close on Tuesday, and the Sunrail commuter rail service in Orlando was being suspended. Due to storm surge and flood risks, evacuation notices have been issued for 21 counties across Florida with mandatory orders for some people in eight counties.
Flooding began in St Petersburg, Florida, early in the morning (Getty Images)We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and videos on this breaking news story.