Hurricane Idalia Makes Florida Landfall as Category 3

Hurricane Idalia struck the United States’ southeastern coast this morning, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125 mph. The storm, which had briefly intensified to a Category 4 overnight, roared ashore near Keaton Beach in Florida’s Big Bend shortly before 8 a.m.

Idalia marks the eighth major hurricane, classified as Category 3 or above, to make landfall on U.S. soil since 2017, underscoring the increasing frequency of such severe weather events.

The coastal region felt the brunt of Idalia’s wrath, with streets transformed into waterways and airports shuttered as a precautionary measure. Countless flights were canceled, and power outages stretched across affected areas.

Water levels along the Steinhatchee River soared over 9 feet within a mere 2-hour window on Wednesday morning. Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expressed concerns over the flooding’s magnitude. Communities situated within 3 miles of the coast, including Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, and surrounding areas in Taylor and Dixie Counties, were projected to experience water levels up to 4 feet deep. There is potential for significant to catastrophic damage in these regions.

The National Hurricane Center’s forecast indicated that Idalia would maintain its hurricane strength upon reaching southeast Georgia later in the afternoon, before gradually transitioning into a tropical storm along the South Carolina coastline.