Scenes of Hurricane Idalia's destruction as storm blasts region with 125 mph winds
The National Weather Service has warned of life-threatening storm surge inundation, hurricane-force-winds, excessive rainfall that could cause flash flooding and a few tornadoes possible on Wednesday as Idalia moves onshore. A storm surge of up to 16 feet in some spots is likely, disastrous winds of up to 125 mph are all in the forecast.
Hurricane Idalia battering Florida as warm Gulf waters fuel rapid intensification
The time to prepare is over and a dire situation is unfolding along Florida’s Gulf Coast as Category 3 Hurricane Idalia continues to rake Florida. Catastrophic, life-threatening storm surge and destructive winds will pound the state’s Big Bend region as the monster storm nears the coast just hours away from landfall.
Hurricane Idalia is pounding Florida as the storm's core is moving onshore in the Big Bend of the state Wednesday.
Life-threatening storm surge inundation, hurricane-force-winds, excessive rainfall and a few tornadoes are all forecast or occurring Wednesday as Idalia moves onshore. Some areas may see a storm surge of up to 16 feet, and disastrous winds of up to 125 mph are looming where Idalia's eyewall comes ashore.
Already, several scenes across Florida show damage scars from Idalia, with hours of destructive weather still on the way.
In Venice, Florida, roof damage was reported at a music store as public works crews assisted in clearing the roadway.
The roadway was cleared outside Troll Music in Venice, Florida, on Wednesday morning as Hurricane Idalia moved onshore.
(Venice, Florida Municipal Government / Facebook)
Access to Clearwater Beach was cut off early Wednesday morning due to flooding.
"You can leave the beach, but you cannot get there via Memorial Causeway or Sand Key," the Clearwater Police Department said on X, formerly Twitter. "We are seeing flooding in beach areas, and elsewhere in the city."
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In Tampa, FOX Weather correspondent Nicole Valdes experienced torrential rainfall and a flooding storm surge from Idalia's outer bands firsthand.
Images of heavy rain were also captured just south of Tampa, off the Palma Sola Causeway in Bradenton. On Tuesday night, officials responded to a person on a boat who was possibly in distress as rain and wind battered the shore.
Flooding reported in Tampa as Hurricane Idalia nears Florida landfall
FOX Weather correspondent Nicole Valdes is in Tampa where flooding has been reported as Hurricane Idalia continues to gain strength as it near landfall in a matter of hours.
The Sanibel Fire Rescue District reports heavy flooding and debris on area roads along the barrier island. Multiple roads have been closed due to downed electrical lines as crews work to clear the area.
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Roads in Sanibel, Florida, were experiencing heavy flooding and debris coverage Wednesday morning.
(Sanibel Fire Rescue District / Facebook)
Bridges have been closed around Treasure Island, Florida, as police have been patrolling the causeway throughout Tuesday evening, restricting access to the island. Storm surge was also hammering Sunset Beach as waves crashed onshore along the pavilion, and water was also reported coming over the sea wall next to City Hall.
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Also, along Florida's Gulf Coast, the Palma Sola Causeway was closed in Bradenton due to flooding. A person in a boat was rescued by police officers who found him farther down the causeway. He was taken for an assessment of his injuries.
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Florida police respond to boat possibly in distress ahead of Idalia
Bradenton Police Department officers respond to a call about a person on a boat off the Palma Sola Causeway in southwestern Florida. Also on the scene were Manatee Search and Rescue and Manatee County Lifeguards. August 30, 2023. (Courtesy: @BradentonPD / X)
Areas of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, southeastern Georgia and the eastern Carolinas can expect to see between 4–8 inches of rain through Thursday. Locally higher amounts of up to 12 inches are also possible, primarily near where Idalia makes landfall, leading to flash flooding concerns.