Key takeaways:
- Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm
- The National Weather Service declared the storm “an unprecedented event”
- The storm caused flooding, downed power lines, snapped trees, and destroyed homes
On Wednesday, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm, bringing with it powerful winds and devastating flooding. Satellite images show the destruction in some of the hardest-hit areas, including Ozello and Crystal River, two coastal communities located less than 100 miles north of Tampa Bay.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee declared the storm “an unprecedented event,” as no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend. Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach with sustained wind speeds topping 125 mph just before 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The storm brought activity to a halt for a time Wednesday, flooding streets, downing power lines, snapping trees, and destroying homes. Photos of the aftermath show water-logged communities and the destruction left in the wake of the storm.
Idalia gradually decreased in strength as it tracked north into Georgia. While the storm has since weakened, the damage it caused in Florida’s Big Bend region is still being assessed. Emergency crews are working to restore power and clear debris, while local officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
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