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Tropical Storm Idalia causes 'severe damage' and catastrophic flooding as it rips through coastal states
By Adam Sabes
Published August 30, 2023
Tropical Storm Idalia has already caused severe damage and catastrophic flooding as it continues to go through several Southeastern states.
Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach in Florida's Big Bend just before 8 a.m. local time Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm with winds up to 125 mph.
FOX Weather reported that Idalia caused a catastrophic storm surge in Cedar Key, which stopped reporting at 6.89 feet. The National Hurricane Center's forecast for storm surge in the area was nearly 10 feet prior to landfall.
Video footage from Keaton Beach shows the storm surge quickly rising up the porch of someone's home and sending waves over its railing.
Pictures from the area taken after the storm passed begin to show the damage caused by Idalia, with portions of entire homes seemingly ripped to pieces.
In this photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, a destroyed home is seen in Keaton Beach, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
In this photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, homes with damaged roofs are seen in Keaton Beach, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
In this photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, receding storm waters surround homes in Keaton Beach, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The storm impacted portions of Southwestern Florida, as waves could be seen battering into the Sanibel Island Causeway.
On social media, the Sarasota Police Department shared several pictures of flooding along roads in its downtown area. Officials said several boats were damaged in the storm, and some even sank, according to FOX Weather.
HURRICANE IDALIA MAKES HISTORIC LANDFALL IN FLORIDA
The Sarasota Police Department shares pictures of flooded streets. (Sarasota Police Department)
On social media, the Sarasota Police Department shared several pictures of flooding along roads in its downtown area. Officials said several boats were damaged in the storm, and some even sank, according to FOX Weather. (Sarasota Police Department)
Entire roads and buildings could be seen underwater in Crystal River, which is part of the Big Bend coast.
Floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia devastate local businesses and homes in Crystal River, Florida, on Wednesday. (Jenna Alves)
Floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia devastate local businesses and homes in Crystal River, Florida, on Wednesday. (Jenna Alves)
Floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia devastate local businesses and homes in Crystal River, Florida, on Wednesday. (Mayor Joe Meek/Facebook )
The damage isn't just limited to Florida, as portions of Georgia and South Carolina are also reporting damage from Idalia.
In Valdosta, Georgia, an entire tree was uprooted on Wednesday as the storm made its way through the area and brought over 5.5 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
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Wind gusts in the area reached 67 mph, according to the NWS.
Idalia brought the area its wettest day since 1984, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Fox News' Lawrence Richard and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/tropical-storm-idalia-causes-severe-damage-catastrophic-flooding-rips-through-coastal-states