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Hurricane Idalia barrels toward Florida coast as terrifying Category 3 storm

By
Nicholas McEntyre
Published Aug. 30, 2023
Updated Aug. 30, 2023, 8:31 a.m. ET

Hurricane Idalia barreled its way up the Gulf coast of Florida as a terrifying Category 3 storm early Wednesday, threatening “catastrophic” storm surges and blistering winds over 125 mph.

The storm was moving northeast at 18 mph around 7 a.m., as Sunshine State Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that the major hurricane was expected to make landfall in the Big Bend region around 8 a.m.

Although it was downgraded early Wednesday to a Category 3, the National Hurricane Center warned, “this change in wind speed does not diminish the threat of catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds.” 

The storm was upgraded over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico before heading northeast and is expected to make landfall around the Big Bend region, a sparsely populated area where the peninsula merges into the Panhandle.

Authorities warned there could be a  “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” when the storm moves ashore later Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service’s office in Tallahassee called the storm “unprecedented” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend region.

Officials urged residents in Taylor and Dixie counties to take shelter immediately, as winds reached more than 130 mph and storm surges are expected to reach 16 feet.

“If you end up with storm surge that even approaches that 16 feet, then the chance of surviving that is not great,” DeSantis told reporters Wednesday.

More than 60,000 customers were without power throughout the state Wednesday morning, according to data from poweroutage.us.

DeSantis said 49 of the state’s 67 counties were under a state of emergency.

It was projected to make landfall later Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with winds of at least 130 mph in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula.
It was projected to make landfall later Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with winds of at least 130 mph in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula. NOAA

The storm’s impact could be a big blow to a state still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian.

On the island of Cedar Key, Commissioner Sue Colson was among city officials who were packing up documents and electronics at City Hall on Tuesday.

She also urged the almost 900 residents who were under mandatory evacuation orders to follow them.

A street in Gulfport, FL floods as the eye of Hurricane Idalia makes its way towards the state.
A street in Gulfport, Fla., floods as the eye of Hurricane Idalia makes its way toward the state. Gulfport, FL public webcam

“One word: Leave,” Colson said. “It’s not something to discuss.”

DeSantis repeated the warning at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

“You really gotta go now. Now is the time,” he said. Earlier, the governor stressed that residents didn’t necessarily need to leave the state, but should “get to higher ground in a safe structure.”

Not everyone was heeding the warning. Andy Bair, owner of the Island Hotel, said he intended to “baby-sit” his bed-and-breakfast, which predates the Civil War.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia “an unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend. EM Hillock / SplashNews.com

The building has not flooded in the almost 20 years he has owned it, not even when Hurricane Hermine flooded the city in 2016.

“Being a caretaker of the oldest building in Cedar Key, I just feel kind of like I need to be here,” Bair said. “We’ve proven time and again that we’re not going to wash away. We may be a little uncomfortable for a couple of days, but we’ll be OK eventually.”

Tolls were waived on highways out of the danger area, shelters were open and hotels prepared to take in evacuees.

More than a dozen state troopers went door to door warning residents that storm surge could rise as high as 15 feet.More than a dozen state troopers went door to door warning residents that storm surge could rise as high as 15 feet.
More than a dozen state troopers went door to door warning residents that storm surge could rise as high as 15 feet. EM Hillock / SplashNews.com

More than 30,000 utility workers were gathering to make repairs as quickly as possible in the hurricane’s wake.

About 5,500 National Guard troops were activated.

Walt Disney World has announced that it would close its Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland miniature golf and Fantasia Gardens miniature golf to prepare for the storm Wednesday.

Residents in Batabano, Cuba remain outside their house in a flooded neighborhood after Hurricane Idalia approached the island on Monday.
Residents in Batabano, Cuba, remain outside their house in a flooded neighborhood after Hurricane Idalia approached the island on Monday. AFP via Getty Images

In Tarpon Springs, a coastal community northwest of Tampa, 60 patients were evacuated from a hospital out of concern that the system could bring a 7-foot storm surge.

After landing in the Big Bend region, Idalia is forecast to cross the Florida peninsula and then drench southern Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday.

Both Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced states of emergency, freeing up state resources and personnel, including hundreds of National Guard troops.

People in Cedar Key carry their belongings next to a building covered with plywood as the town prepares for the hurricane.
People in Cedar Key carry their belongings next to a building covered with plywood as the town prepares for the hurricane. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
An employee places plywood in front of a store in Cedar Key, FL as Hurricane Idalia makes its way towards mainland Florida.
An employee secures plywood in front of a store in Cedar Key, Fla., as Hurricane Idalia makes its way toward mainland Florida. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

“We’ll be prepared to the best of our abilities,” said Russell Guess, who was topping off the gas tank on his truck in Valdosta, Georgia. His co-workers at Cunningham Tree Service were doing the same. “There will be trees on people’s house, trees across power lines.”

At 2 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Idalia was about 100 miles southwest of Cedar Key and 175 miles south of Tallahassee, the National Hurricane Center said.

With Post wires