Hurricane Idalia Live Updates: Tropical storm hits Florida and Georgia, thousands face power cuts

Tropical Storm Idalia has been downgraded from a Category 4 hurricane as it hit Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm. Sadly, three fatalities were reported due to the extreme weather conditions, including two car crash victims and one individual hit by a tree while assisting in debris removal.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a warning about ongoing life-threatening conditions in eastern North Carolina due to persistent flooding and heavy rainfall. As part of the advisory, a Storm Surge Watch has been activated, signifying the potential for dangerous inundation in specified areas. A tropical storm warning encompasses regions from the South Santee River to the Virginia border, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, with a storm surge warning spanning coastal communities such as Beaufort Inlet and Ocracoke Inlet. The storm is anticipated to shift eastward away from the North Carolina coast today, but the NHC cautions that tropical storm winds at its center could still reach up to 185mph. Additionally, the area remains at risk for tornadoes.

As Hurricane Idalia skirted Tampa Bay, sparing a direct hit but inundating the area with flooding, experts warn of the region's increasing vulnerability. Last year's Hurricane Ian veered east before striking southwest Florida, a pattern repeating with Idalia's northward landfall. While the bay area has evaded direct major hurricane impact for over a century, its modern population of over 3 million faces a vastly transformed landscape. Low-lying neighborhoods are prone to storm surges, amplified by climate change effects, heightening concerns for this urban coastal enclave's future resilience.

After narrowly dodging disaster, the Gulf Coast of Florida has rolled up its sleeves to initiate the cleanup process following the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. The region is now trying to restore normalcy after this recent hurricane, which, fortunately, resulted in less severe property damage, loss of life, and power outages compared to the major hurricane that hit the state nearly a year ago.

Tropical Storm Idalia's destructive path through the Carolinas and Southeastern United States has resulted in flooding and damage, following its earlier landfall as a hurricane in Florida. Despite causing power outages and destruction, the storm was less catastrophic than anticipated, delivering only glancing blows to heavily populated areas. As the storm weakens and moves towards the Atlantic Ocean, authorities are assessing the toll of its fierce winds and flooding, with at least one reported death.

Officials in Bermuda have warned that Idalia could reach the island as a tropical storm next week, according to NBC News. Bermuda was hit by the outer bands of Hurricane Franklin today, a Category 2 storm. 

Several roads across Charleston, South Carolina, have been closed due to flooding caused by Idalia.  “!! TRAFFIC ALERT !! Numerous roads on the peninsula are closed and limiting access to some areas,” Charleston Police department updated on X.  The National Weather Service (NWS) Charleston previously said that that “major coastal inundation” was reported at Edisto Beach and Downtown Charleston.

Tampa International Airport is expected to resume its full operations at 3 am on Thursday, August 31. After Idalia moved away from the area, the airport faced some flooding. However, the storm caused no serious damage. Tallahassee International Airport is also set to resume operations.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach yesterday, flooding streets, downing power lines, breaking strees and causing mass destruction of houses. Here are the peak wind gusts from around South Carolina.