Governor’s mansion hit by fallen tree
One of the most dramatic scenes of Hurricane Idalia’s impact was the collapse of a massive 100-year-old oak tree onto the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee, where Ron DeSantis and his family were inside. Fortunately, no one was injured by the incident, but the historic tree caused significant damage to the roof and the front porch of the residence. DeSantis later tweeted a photo of the fallen tree and thanked the first responders for their swift action.
Airports shut down as flights canceled or delayed
Hurricane Idalia also disrupted air travel across Florida, as several airports were forced to close or suspend operations due to the storm. According to FlightAware, more than 2,000 flights were canceled or delayed on Wednesday, affecting thousands of passengers. Some of the major airports that were affected include Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Tampa International Airport. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport and to expect further disruptions in the coming days.
Catastrophic flooding and storm surge threaten coastal areas
The most dangerous threat posed by Hurricane Idalia was the potential for catastrophic flooding and storm surge in the coastal areas of Florida’s Big Bend region. The National Hurricane Center warned that some areas could see up to 15 feet of water above ground level, making them uninhabitable for months. The storm also brought heavy rainfall, which could cause flash flooding and river flooding in inland areas. Residents were urged to evacuate or seek higher ground if they were in the path of the storm surge or flooding.
Power outages affect hundreds of thousands of customers
Another major impact of Hurricane Idalia was the widespread power outages that affected hundreds of thousands of customers across Florida. According to PowerOutage.US, more than 270,000 customers were without electricity as of Wednesday afternoon, with the highest numbers reported in Leon County, Wakulla County, Jefferson County, and Taylor County. The power companies said they were working to restore service as soon as possible, but warned that some areas could be without power for days or weeks.
State of emergency declared as recovery efforts begin
In response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Idalia, Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 23 counties in Florida on Tuesday, activating the state’s emergency operations center and mobilizing resources and personnel. He also requested a federal disaster declaration from President Biden, who approved it on Wednesday, authorizing federal assistance and funding for the affected areas. DeSantis said he was grateful for the federal support and praised the resilience and courage of Floridians in the face of the storm.
