This article discusses Hurricane Idalia, the 8th major hurricane to hit the United States since 2017, which brought "catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds" to the Gulf Coast. Prior to 2017, the last major hurricane to make landfall on the mainland was Hurricane Wilma in 2005, making the past six years an extraordinary stretch of damaging hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center is warning residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.