Hurricane Idalia struck Florida at rapid speed, causing widespread destruction including uprooted trees, hotel roof losses, and vehicle flooding. The storm continued into Georgia and South Carolina, flooding areas and forcing residents to seek higher ground.
In the Big Bend region, where the hurricane made landfall, one resident sought refuge in a motel but encountered danger when the building's roof was torn off by the storm's intense winds. Fortunately, her pregnant daughter was unharmed by the debris.
Hurrican Idalia Destruction in Florida and Nearby States
Hurricane Idalia struck Keaton Beach with Category 3 force, carrying 125 mph (205 kph) winds. It retained hurricane strength as it entered Georgia, weakening to a tropical storm by Wednesday afternoon and further to 60 mph winds by nightfall.
The storm's inland path brought destruction, tearing apart signs, roofs, and trees. While one fatality occurred in Georgia, official hurricane-related deaths in Florida were not confirmed. However, two weather-related fatalities transpired before landfall.
Idalia's impact extended to Georgia and the Carolinas, causing strong winds and a single reported death. The forecast indicated movement along South Carolina's coast through Wednesday night, followed by proximity to North Carolina's coast before heading into the Atlantic Ocean.
During its passage through South Carolina, Hurricane Idalia led to significant coastal inundation, particularly in Charleston. The water level at Charleston Harbor surpassed 9 feet, marking the fifth-highest recorded level.
This level closely approached those observed during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. Reports from Edisto Beach and Downtown Charleston highlighted major coastal flooding, with water breaches at the Charleston Battery and dunes at Edisto breached. Homes were affected as water flowed beneath them and onto roadways.
Hurricane Idalia caused significant flooding, leading to road closures and limited access in Charleston. The Sheriff's Office reported fallen trees and flooded roads, urging drivers to turn around when encountering street flooding. In Crystal River, Florida, receding waters exposed a "catastrophic event" with many homes underwater, while in Pasco County, around 6,000 homes suffered inundation with major damage.
President Joe Biden offered assistance to affected states and highlighted the climate crisis's undeniable impact.
What Makes Hurricane Idalia So Destructive?
Hurricane Idalia, known for its capacity to inundate dry land, intensified and caused significant flooding even before its landfall. University of Virginia hydrologist Venkataraman Lakshmi monitored the storm, emphasizing that the hurricane's category determines its impact.
Despite its initial Category 1 status, Idalia swiftly escalated into Category 4 overnight before going down a category due to warming ocean conditions, particularly influenced by the El Niño phenomenon, leading to interactions between air currents and water and atmospheric shifts.
The convergence of wind shear and warm waters off the Florida coast fueled Hurricane Idalia's growth. Wind shear initially hindered hurricane activity, while exceptionally warm waters enhanced evaporation and contributed to the storm's intensification. The combination of these opposing factors dynamically amplified Idalia's strength.
The hurricane's impact encompassed coastal storm surges that submerged buildings near the shore and reshaped sandy coastlines, along with assured destruction further inland.
Lakshmi also noted concerns about structural integrity due to increased water pressure on buildings. Seepage into foundations and basements can undermine their stability, and water intrusion also affects structures like bridges and piers. Lakshmi emphasized that while a hurricane's category historically matters, its impact depends significantly on its landfall location.
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