Power outages and houses under water: Hurricane “Idalia” swept over the northwest coast of Florida with wind speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. Several major cities are at risk of storm surges.
Hurricane Idalia has hit the northwest coast of Florida. The storm hit the Big Bend region south of the capital Tallahassee with wind speeds of just over 200 kilometers per hour, said the US hurricane center NHC in Miami. That equates to a category three out of five hurricane.
The violent gusts of wind triggered storm surges, while rains inundated roads in the Tallahassee area. More than 230,000 households were without electricity. Along the coast, houses were submerged almost to the roof. As the storm made its way inland, the storm stripped off roofs and tore down street signs. “Idalia” was briefly rated as a category four hurricane off the coast, but was then downgraded again.
Governor DeSantis: “Barricade yourself”
The NHC rated “Idalia” as “extremely dangerous”. Heavy storm surges could cause flooding up to about 4.5 meters higher than normal. The governor of the state, Ron DeSantis, warned the population with urgent words. “Don’t risk your life by doing something stupid now,” he said at a press conference.
“This storm is powerful. Once inside, barricade yourself until it passes you.” Previously, people in several Florida counties had been asked to leave their homes and temporarily seek shelter with relatives, friends or hotels.
Jacksonville and Canaveral close ports
According to the authorities, the region around the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, which is home to three million people, is particularly at risk. Harbingers of “Idalia” brought the first floods in Fort Myers Beach south of Tampa and in Pinellas County early in the morning. Several streets were flooded there. All residents have been urged not to drive and to stay in safe shelters.
Flooding also occurred in the holiday towns of Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach, and roads had to be closed. The ports of Jacksonville, Fernandina and Canaveral were closed to shipping. The airport in Tampa was temporarily closed on Tuesday. Classes were canceled at many Florida schools.
hurricane center also feared tornadoes
According to the hurricane center, tornadoes are also to be expected in the wake of the hurricane. The center of the hurricane is expected to move inland, according to the NHC. Hurricane warnings are also in effect in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Tropical cyclone season lasts from June to November in the Atlantic. They then hit the coasts of Mexico, the USA or the Caribbean countries. According to experts, however, climate change will make tropical storms more frequent and more violent.