The state’s peninsula and panhandle meet in the Big Bend, a mostly forested and agricultural region. Hurricane Idalia’s eye made landfall around 65 miles north of Tallahassee, the state capital.
TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA- The eye of Hurricane Idalia touched down on Wednesday, and Fire rescue personnel in Pasco County, Florida, calculated that up to 5,000 homes may have had flooding enter them (Photo: NPR)
The Huge Size of Hurricane Idalia Made Landfall
At 7:45 a.m., Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm, made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Wednesday with winds of 125 mph. Although the storm was not a perfect circle, its area was close to 350 miles across, which is comparable to Colorado’s 380-mile width. Idalia made landfall at Keaton Beach in Florida’s Big Bend coastal region, and about 30 minutes later, a hurricane-force wind field stretched across 7,850 square miles, or about the same size as New Jersey (7,354 square miles).
The eye of Hurricane Idalia touched down on Wednesday around 7:45 a.m. By 10 a.m. in the Big Bend coastline of Florida near Keaton Beach. had left the panhandle of Florida, sending devastating winds into Georgia.
When Hurricane Idalia hit land, it was a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph sustained winds. Its eastward trajectory made things better for Tallahassee, which could have had a significant impact. The storm spans 96,211 square miles and is 350 miles broad. As it passes across Georgia, the top sustained winds have decreased to 75 mph.
The Hurricane Idalia Caused Fire and Flood
The Hurricane Idalia’s core was 25 miles north of Valdosta, Georgia, as of noon on Wednesday. It was moving 20 mph north-northeast and had sustained winds of up to 85 mph. A state of emergency has been proclaimed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 49 counties that span the state’s northern half from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast.
Although Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Keaton Beach, its effects could be felt up to 150 miles to the south in record flood waters. Citrus County’s U.S. 19 resembled a makeshift lake, requiring local emergency personnel to block off the main entrance to Crystal River’s downtown.
Fire rescue personnel in Pasco County, Florida, calculated that up to 5,000 homes may have had flooding enter them. This led to a variety of risky rescue operations for locals who weathered the storm. Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jeremy Sidlauskas reported that amid the floodwaters, Pasco firefighters responded to at least two burning residences.
READ ALSO: State Of Emergency In West Virginia Declared Water Rescues In The Midst Of Severe Flooding
