2023-08-30 19:07:30
Idalia weakened and continues on its path as a tropical storm
Idalia weakened and is advancing as a tropical storm (Twitter: @NWS)
The National Hurricane Center reported that Idalia has weakened and is now a tropical storm. “The risk of freshwater flooding, storm surge and high winds continues in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas,” the statement added, as the phenomenon continues its trajectory.
Storm surges are still expected on the southeastern coast of the country through Wednesday night and flooding is still expected in eastern North and South Carolina, and east central Georgia. Meanwhile, strong winds in the area will continue until Thursday.
Moments before this news was released, the governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, had said that such a strong impact of the phenomenon was not expected in his territory.
“It’s not as bad as others we’ve seen. We do not believe that it will be as destructive as some of them, although it will be destructive, ”he declared before the press, noting that evacuations will not be required, although he did urge the inhabitants to remain safe in their homes.
Meanwhile, his counterpart from the North, Roy Cooper, asked residents to stock up on supplies before the heavy rains that the storm will bring to the state. “We hope for the best but we prepare for the worst,” he said.
Joe Biden linked the climate crisis to the hurricane: “No one can continue to deny its impact”
Joe Biden linked the climate crisis to Hurricane Idalia: “No one can continue to deny its impact” (REUTERS)
The President spoke regarding the phenomenon that plagues the southeast of the country and highlighted the effects that the climate crisis has on it. “I don’t think anyone can continue to deny its impact. Just look around you. The historic floods, the most intense droughts, the extreme heat and the major forest fires have caused damage like we have never seen before, ”he said, also referring to the recent fire in Hawaii and the wave of high temperatures.
“When I took office, I directed my team to improve the way we lead and coordinate our responses to natural disasters,” he continued regarding the assistance that is being provided to all affected states.
Idalia broke records in areas such as Big Bend, in northwestern Florida, where a phenomenon of such intensity had not been recorded for 125 years. In addition, it left storm surges of more than 2.5 meters on Cedar Key, surpassing the previous high of 1.8 meters during Hurricane Hermine in 2016.
In turn, in Tampa Bay water levels exceeded 1.4 meters, above the 1.15 meters of Tropical Storm Eta in 2020, and Clearwater Beach and the Steinhatchee River also reached record levels of 1.23 meters and 2.7 meters, respectively.
The first two deaths were reported following the passage of Idalia through Florida
Two people died in separate traffic accidents, while Hurricane Idalia lashed Florida (REUTERS)
The State Highway Patrol (FHP) reported that two people died in separate road accidents, a consequence of heavy rains and adverse weather conditions in recent hours.
The first of them was a 40-year-old man who died Wednesday morning – around 6:15 am – in Pasco. The driver was traveling in a Ford Ranger heading east on Saint Joe Road in “inclement weather” and “too fast” for context. As the authorities were able to define, he lost control, left the road and collided with a tree, suffering “fatal injuries.”
The second deceased was a 59-year-old man from Gainesville who was driving a Toyota Tacoma and traveling west from Alachua on Florida State Road 20, also in “extremely rainy conditions.” His vehicle skidded out of its lane, plunged into a ditch on the north side of the road, and crashed into a nearby tree line.
While these are the first two deaths reported since the start of Hurricane Idalia, Gov. Ron DeSantis said it’s still too early to consider them fatalities from the storm and instead are still weather-related traffic accidents. .
“There is a process for confirmed deaths. It goes through law enforcement and medical examiners. It has not been confirmed yet; I know that there are unconfirmed reports, ”he explained in this regard while waiting for the final results.
Rescue and relief efforts began in Florida
Rescue and relief tasks began in Florida (REUTERS)
Some 5,500 members of the National Guard mobilized to assist the victims following the passage of the hurricane. Among them are rescuers, search brigades, teams that unblock routes and remove debris, and even aviators that support emergency work.
They are joined by the Coast Guard, other officers and teams from states such as Tennessee and Kentucky, while Maryland and Colorado also offered their air assets as reinforcements, Florida Assistant General John D. Haas said. Independent organizations are also collaborating, the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Organization (FEMA), which has already sent more than 1.3 million food rations and 1.6 million liters of water -among other basic products and critical supplies- to the affected states.
For her part, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said it is still too early to make a full assessment of the damage and that “it will take several days to get a full understanding.” “It will take longer to get the full picture of the magnitude of the full impact to these communities,” she added.
Jacksonville in a state of emergency waiting for Idalia
Jacksonville is in a state of emergency pending Idalia, with a tropical storm warning (REUTERS)
Florida Governor Ron deSantis and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan have declared a state of emergency in the largest city in the northeast of the state. While waiting for the impact of Idalia – which, although it will not be direct, will reach there with its lower edge -, the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning, considering that there are conditions “favorable for tornadoes” in Jacksonville and also declared a tornado watch until at least 3 p.m. EST. Rainfall is expected to range from 1 to 4 inches (25 to 100 millimeters) and bring a possible storm surge of up to 3 feet (1 meter). Flooding is expected along the St. Johns River and the Atlantic coast.
The mayor announced that seven shelters are already open to receive the general population, some of them also prepared for people with special needs and people with pets. All Duval County Public Schools and several courthouses will be closed through and including Thursday, August 31. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has suspended all transportation services, including the St. Johns River Ferry. So far there are no closed bridges but the wind conditions are monitored in case it is necessary to do so.
Orlando: Schools Closed, Theme Parks Open
In Orlando, the effects of the hurricane were limited, but for prevention, schools and some public services suspended or limited their activities. The theme parks, however, are still operational (EFE)
So far Orlando has received limited impact from Idalia; the weather conditions are bad, with rain and wind, and they will continue like this for the rest of the day. While there are no floods or other serious problems, the Emergency Operations Center is active and on its highest alert, Level 1. City Hall is closed, as are the schools, and garbage collection has been suspended. All of these utilities are scheduled to resume operations on August 31, unless the situation deteriorates as the hurricane moves toward Georgia and South Carolina.
Orlando International Airport operates, albeit with delays and baggage delivery problems; the public transportation system, LYNX, resumed normal operations; only ACCESS LYNX will maintain restricted activities until Thursday, August 31.
Walt Disney World is open, with its main parks operational; only specific attractions such as Typhoon Lagoon and its miniature golf courses are closed. SeaWorld Orlando adjusted its hours from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and implemented special ticket rescheduling policies for visitors affected by weather. Universal Orlando Resort, for the most part, continues with its usual hours, although it has suspended early admission to the park to limit hours and maintain special care measures.
Already with category 1, Idalia advances to the states of Georgia and the Carolinas
Already with category 1, Idalia advances to the states of Georgia and the Carolinas (AFP)
The National Hurricane Center reported that, following passing through Florida, Idalia weakened and now has a category 1 force. In any case, with strong winds of 140 km/h, it is advancing towards the states of Georgia and the Carolinas , where heavy rains are already registered. At the moment, it is located just over 60 km northeast of Valdosta, Georgia.
Meanwhile, Florida residents hit by the storm are left with power outages and extensive flooding. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on her way to the affected areas to join Governor Ron DeSantis’ efforts. For his part, the local president reported that the power restoration work began “as soon as it was safe to do so” and assured that everything possible is being done to assist those affected.
20 photos of the impact of Hurricane Idalia on the Florida peninsula
The region known as “Big Bend” suffers the ravages of this potentially catastrophic cyclone that has millions of people on alert
A boardwalk at the Clearwater Marina in Clearwater, Florida, is flooded by the rising tide on August 30, 2023, following Hurricane Idalia made landfall (Photo by Miguel J. Rodríguez Carrillo / AFP)
Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall this morning, is packing 175 mph winds and storm surges through northwestern Florida. They report flooding on the Big Bend coast and 200,000 users without electricity.
Governor DeSantis said there are fires and people trapped on roofs by the Idalia Pass in Florida
People look at floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia surrounding their apartment complex on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The local president said that the rescue work continues while he assured that the flights from the Tampa airport will be reestablished in the early hours of the morning
As Idalia moves into Florida, it wreaks havoc by blowing up traffic signs, sheet metal and felling tall trees.
Workers clear a blockage on Interstate 75 (I-75) freeway following Hurricane Idalia landed, near Gainesville, Florida, U.S., August 30, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello
“We have several trees down, debris on the roads, don’t come,” the fire and rescue department posted in Cedar Key, where a tide gauge measured storm surge at 6.8 feet (2 meters), submerging most of downtown. the city. “We have propane tanks exploding all over the island.”
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