Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida at the speed of a fast-moving train Wednesday, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia and South Carolina as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground. Hours after Idalia slammed ashore as a powerful category 3 hurricane at Keaton Beach in Florida's big bend region, packing winds of about 125 mph. Authorities are still trying to assess the full extent of damage in the hardest-hit areas. Video footage and photographs from the region showed ocean waters washing over highways and neighborhoods swamped by extensive flooding at midday. Drawing strength from the Gulf of Mexico's Warm Waters, Idalia unleashed destructive winds and torrential downpours that were forecast to cause flooding up to 16 feet deep along Florida's Gulf Coast. More than 280,000 homes and businesses were without power in Florida as of midday and 160,000 customers were similarly affected in Georgia, power outage. US reported.
Hurricane Idalia Hits Florida With 125 Mph Winds: Flooding Streets, Snapping Trees And Cutting Power
Hours after Idalia slammed ashore as a powerful category 3 hurricane at Keaton Beach in Florida's big bend region, packing winds of about 125 mph. Authorities are still trying to assess the full extent of damage in the hardest-hit areas.