2023-08-30 19:10:00
Power outages and houses under water: Hurricane “Idalia” swept over the northwest coast of Florida with wind speeds of just over 200 kilometers per hour. Several major cities are at risk of storm surges.
Hurricane Idalia has hit the northwest coast of Florida. The storm hit the Big Bend region south of the capital Tallahassee with wind speeds of just over 200 kilometers per hour, said the US hurricane center NHC in Miami. That equates to a category three out of five hurricane.
The storm then weakened overland and eventually moved on as a Category One hurricane, toward the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Deaths were initially not reported. The civil protection authority FEMA also warned urgently of major dangers following the storm. It is still far too early to assess the storm damage. In many areas it is still too dangerous to go out.
The violent gusts of wind triggered storm surges, while rains inundated roads in the Tallahassee area. On Wednesday morning (local time) around 300,000 households in Florida were initially without power due to the storm. According to Deanne Criswell, head of the Disaster Management Agency FEMA, the number is likely to go up. Houses were damaged, trees uprooted, power lines torn to the ground.
Strongest storm in more than 100 years
Power outages are also expected in Georgia and South Carolina as the storm sweeps through those regions. Criswell said in Washington that “Idalia” was the strongest storm to make landfall in this part of Florida in more than 100 years. However, the authorities had prepared intensively for this.
Along the coast, houses were submerged almost to the roof. As the storm made its way inland, the storm stripped off roofs and tore down street signs. “Idalia” was briefly rated as a category four hurricane off the coast, but was then downgraded once more.
Governor DeSantis: “Barricade yourself”
The NHC rated “Idalia” as “extremely dangerous”. Heavy storm surges might cause flooding up to regarding 4.5 meters higher than normal. The governor of the state, Ron DeSantis, warned the population with urgent words. “Don’t risk your life by doing something stupid now,” he said at a press conference.
“This storm is powerful. Once inside, barricade yourself until it passes you.” Previously, people in several Florida districts had been asked to leave their homes and temporarily seek shelter with relatives, friends or hotels.
Jacksonville and Canaveral close ports
According to the authorities, the region around the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, which is home to three million people, is particularly at risk. Harbingers of “Idalia” brought the first floods in Fort Myers Beach south of Tampa and in Pinellas County early in the morning. Several streets were flooded there. All residents have been urged not to drive and to stay in safe shelters.
Flooding also occurred in the holiday towns of Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach, and roads had to be closed. The ports of Jacksonville, Fernandina and Canaveral were closed to shipping. The airport in Tampa was temporarily closed on Tuesday, but should reopen later in the day (local time). Classes were canceled at many Florida schools.
Hurricane Center also fears tornadoes
According to the hurricane center, tornadoes are also to be expected in the wake of the hurricane. The center of the hurricane is expected to move inland, according to the NHC. Hurricane warnings are also in effect in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Tropical cyclone season lasts from June to November in the Atlantic. They then hit the coasts of Mexico, the USA or the Caribbean countries. According to experts, however, climate change will make tropical storms more frequent and more violent.
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