Hurricane Idalia
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
The Weather Prediction Center’s Excessive Rainfall Outlook for Tropical Storm Idalia, Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Idalia#/media/File:WPC_Day_1-5_Excessive_Rainfall_Outlook_during_Hurricane_Idalia_in_2023.gif (Attribution: NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Domain:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
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Strong winds snapped trees, peeled off roofs and prompted record-breaking storm surge after the powerful hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in the video published on Aug. 30, 2023, by ABC News, as “Hurricane Idalia slams Florida’s Big Bend“, below:
Hurricane Idalia brought powerful winds, relentless rain and devastating storm surge bringing destructive force to Florida’s Big Bend. NBC News’ Tom Llamas is on the ground and has more on the impact of the storm on communities, in the video published on Aug 30, 2023, by NBC News, as “Idalia hits Florida’s Big Band as Category 3 hurricane“, below:
Residents in the town of Perry, Florida surveyed the damage left behind by Hurricane Idalia. After coming ashore, Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach at 7:45 a.m. as a high-end Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph. The system remained a hurricane as it crossed into Georgia with top winds of 90 mph (150 mph). It weakened to a tropical storm by late Wednesday afternoon, in the video published on FOX 35 Orlando, as “Idalia leaves destruction in North Florida“, below:
Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday blasting Florida with winds near 125 miles an hour and a wall of water that caused heavy flooding. Thousands chose to get out of harm’s way, while others hunkered down for the first major storm to strike the state this year. So far, officials reported two rain-related traffic deaths. Geoff Bennett reports, in the video published on Aug 30, 2023, by PBS NewsHour, as “A look at the damage after Hurricane Idalia slammed Florida as a Category 3 storm“, below:
Storm surge from Idalia is setting records for the highest water levels in multiple locations in Florida, as well as being named the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Big Bend region in more than 125 years. CNN’s Randi Kaye reports on the storm’s aftermath, followed by a first-hand account from Cedar Key resident Michael Bobbitt, in the video published on Aug 30, 2023, by CNN, as “See the destruction left by Hurricane Idalia throughout Florida“, below:
Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday in Florida as a Category 3 storm and unleashed devastation along a wide stretch of the Gulf Coast, submerging homes and vehicles, turning streets into rivers, unmooring small boats and downing power lines in an area that has never before received such a pummeling. Video courtesy: Pasco County Emergency Management via CNN, in the video published on Aug 30, 2023, by 9NEWS, as “Aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Florida“, below:
Join us as we document the impacts of Hurricane Idalia along Florida’s Gulf Coast in August 2023. We capture intense footage in Tampa and St. Petersburg as the storm approaches, with people boarding up homes and clearing out stores. When Idalia makes landfall, our cameras are rolling from Tampa Bay to Steinhatchee, FL, capturing the eye wall and storm surge. We film the raging Steinhatchee river created by the surge that literally changed the flow of the river. The most insane moment comes as sailboats torn from their moorings crash into the Steinhatchee bridge right in front of us. We traveled over 200 miles along the Florida coast to document the flooding, structural damage, and rescue operations from this devastating hurricane. Discover the incredible intensity and impacts of Hurricane Idalia with our up close look at the storm. Witness hurricane force winds, torrential rain, and catastrophic flooding across cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Keaton Beach, St. Pete Beach, Gulfport and more. This is a must-see look at one of the strongest hurricanes to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast, in the video published on Aug 31, 2023, by Jonathan Petramala, as “Hurricane Idalia: Insane Surge St. Pete| Sailboats Crash Steinhatchee Bridge“, below:
For more details about the Hurricane Idalia, please refer to the excerpt from wikipedia, in italics, below:
Hurricane Idalia is a currently active tropical cyclone impacting parts of the Southeastern United States. The ninth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, Idalia formed from a low-pressure area that crossed Central America from the eastern Pacific Ocean. Gradual development ensued as it meandered in the western part of the Caribbean Sea; the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on August 26 and strengthened into a tropical storm a day later, receiving the name Idalia. It traversed the Gulf of Mexico where it underwent rapid intensification, briefly becoming a Category 4 hurricane prior to making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida at Category 3 strength on August 30. It remained a hurricane as it crossed into Southeast Georgia, after drenching Northern Florida.
Current storm information
As of 5:00 p.m. EDT August 30 (17:00 UTC August 30), Tropical Storm Idalia is located within 15 nautical miles of 32.2°N 81.7°W, about 40 miles (65 km) west of Savannah, Georgia or about 115 miles (185 km) west-southwest of Charleston, South Carolina. Maximum sustained winds are 70 mph (110 km/h), with gusts up to 105 mph (165 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 984 mbar (29.06 inHg), and the system is moving north-northeast at 21 mph (33 km/h). Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles (370 km) from the center.
Cuba
More than 10,000 people were evacuated from Pinar del Río and Artemisa provinces.[15] Patients in Bahía Honda were evacuated to a local clinic after fearing flooding.[16] Rainfall reached 4 inches (100 mm) across portions of the country.[17]
United States
Amtrak terminated its two southbound Silver Service routes in Jacksonville on August 28 and cancelled both routes and its Auto Train service from August 29 to 30. The Palmetto route was truncated to Washington D.C. as well.[18]
Florida
The Weather Prediction Center’s Excessive Rainfall Outlook for Tropical Storm Idalia, Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Idalia#/media/File:WPC_Day_1-5_Excessive_Rainfall_Outlook_during_Hurricane_Idalia_in_2023.gif (Attribution: NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Domain:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain, Presented at: WindermereSun.com)
On August 28, hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings were issued for portions of the state’s west coast.[7] On August 29, the Storm Prediction Center issued a Day 1 convective outlook highlighting a level 2/slight risk of severe weather for portions of Florida associated with Idalia, with the SPC also issuing a 5 percent tornado risk.[19] A Day 2 convective outlook was also issued concerning a level 2/slight risk and a 5 percent tornado risk for portions of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.[20] A moderate risk of excessive rainfall was also issued by the Weather Prediction Center, for the most of the same areas included in the Day 2 Convective outlook.[21]
On August 26, 33 Florida counties were placed under a state of emergency (SOE) by Governor Ron DeSantis.[22] Two days later, the governor declared 13 more counties, including some in Northeast Florida, under a SOE.[23] School districts across numerous counties in the state were to close, and 18 colleges, along with 6 universities, including University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, North Florida College, Florida State University, and University of Florida were to be closed starting August 29.[24][25][26][27] Emergency shelters were opened across the state, and the ports along Florida’s west coast, including Port Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee, and Port of St. Petersburg, began clearing waterways and secured items.[28] The South Florida Water Management District and the Lake Worth Drainage District began draining water from canal systems.[29] The Howard Frankland Bridge began to secure barges.[30] Tampa International Airport , Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport, Tallahassee International Airport, and St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport closed to all commercial flights on August 29.[31][32][33] American Airlines suspended operations at Tampa, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Gainesville airports.[34] An executive order declaring a local state of emergency was issued for the city of Tampa.[35] Mandatory evacuations began in Pinellas County on August 28.[36] The Atlas V launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was delayed.[37][38] Dry Tortugas National Park was closed in anticipation of the approaching tropical storm.[39] The USA’s National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) “Silent Barker” mission by United Launch Alliance (ULA) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was put back from its intended 29 August launch date, with the Atlas V rocket taken back to the vertical integration facility (VIF).[40] The Federal Aviation Administration rerouted planes and closed Gulf routes, and the Urban Search and Rescue teams, consisting of nearly 600 search-and-rescue personnel, were activated in Florida.[41] At least 200 Starlink internet devices were deployed in preparation of service disruptions.[41]
At least 1,100 Florida National Guard members were mobilized, and 2,400 high-water vehicles, along with 12 aircraft, were also dispatched for recovery and rescue efforts.[42] The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was ready to deploy 25 law enforcement officers, two mobile staging units, one mobile command vehicle, and one operational command center, and to support the State Emergency Operations Center, which was activated in western Florida.[28] President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate with disaster relief efforts.[43][44]
Georgia
Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and activated the state of emergency operations center on August 29.[45][46] School districts, including districts across Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, and Wheeler counties, were closed.[47] Hurricane warnings were in effect for seven Georgia counties.[46] Atlanta Motor Speedway opened their campgrounds to hurricane evacuees free of charge.[48]
South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency.[49] Congaree National Park was also closed ahead of the approaching hurricane.[50]
North Carolina
Over 80 flights were canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport due to the approaching storm, mainly flights to and from Florida. Charlotte Motor Speedway opened their campgrounds to hurricane evacuees free of charge.[51]
Impact
Mexico
The storm brought heavy rainfall to the Yucatán Peninsula.[52]
Cuba
Flooding occurred in Güira de Melena and Guanimar, a small town south of Havana, and high winds hit Pinar del Río Province.[15][16]
United States
At least 900 flights were cancelled across Florida and Georgia.[49]
Florida
A tornado watch was issued for portions of western Florida on August 29, as bands of thunderstorms from Idalia moved inland.[53] As Idalia was nearing landfall on the morning of August 30, an extreme wind warning was issued for portions of the Gulf coast of Florida, including Steinhatchee and Perry.[54][55] Damage occurred to buildings and infastructure in Keaton Beach as Idalia made landfall.[56] Water levels near Cedar Key reached a record 6.8 feet (2.1 m), and the storm surge water level was at 8.9 feet (2.7 m).[26] Tampa Bay and Clearwater, Florida experienced over 3 feet (0.91 m) of storm surge.[57] A U.S. Route 41 bridge in Port Charlotte and a U.S. Route 41 bridge in Punta Gorda were closed.[26] Interstate 275 near Tampa was flooded.[58] Two people were killed in separate car accidents caused by the storm’s flooding.[59] At least 75 people were rescued from flooded areas near St. Petersburg.[60][61] The Governor Mansion in Tallahassee was struck by a falling oak tree, but no injuries or serious damage was reported.[62]
At least 278,000 customers lost power and more than 200 flights were cancelled across several airlines in Florida.[63][33]
Georgia
A flash flood emergency was issued for the Valdosta area.[64] Downed power lines closed a portion of Interstate 75 south of Valdosta.[49] Over 190,000 customers in Georgia lost power.[65] American Airlines suspended operations at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.[34] One man was killed in Valdosta after a tree fell as the man attempted to clear a separate tree from the road.[66]
Elsewhere
A weak and brief tornado in Goose Creek, South Carolina flipped over a car at an intersection.[67] Storm surge breached The Battery, a historical defensive seawall and promenade in Charleston, South Carolina, causing flooding in the downtown. Further south down the coast in Edisto Beach, a dune was also breached by storm surge, causing flooding within the town.[68]
Aftermath
Florida
On August 30, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis visited Perry and gave a press conference update on the state’s response to the storm, where he spoke alongside several state and local officials.[72] President Joe Biden announced that the federal government would play a key role in assisting states affected by the storm and that he had spoken with DeSantis. Biden also reported that he had directed FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to fly there and meet with the Florida governor and that up to 1,500 federal personnel as well as 900 members of the Coast Guard were being sent to respond to the hurricane’s impacts.[73][74]
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