Florida is facing widespread flooding on Wednesday after Hurricane Idalia ripped up trees and power lines in its wake and is now sweeping across the state of Georgia. Idalia, which carries winds up to 130 km/h, made landfall at 7:45 a.m. local time near Keaton Beach, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane on a scale of 5, according to the National hurricanes (NHC). It has since been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane.
The coast of this southeastern state has been affected by “marine flooding” phenomena causing a rapid rise in water levels in some cities but for the moment Florida does not deplore any confirmed deaths, said the governor of the state, Ron DeSantis at a press conference. In Steinhatchee, a small town of a thousand people on the coast 30 km south of Keaton Beach, the almost deserted main street is completely flooded and seems to be an extension of the nearby river.
Patrick Boland sealed himself off at home, instead of evacuating, to face the passage of the hurricane and does not regret his choice. “Trees fell in front of my house but otherwise the house was spared. Everything is fine,” the 73-year-old told Agence France-Presse, visibly relieved. “We were born and raised in Florida so storms don’t scare us,” said Bobby Adisano, who spent the night in his car with his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old son. “If anyone needs help, we’re here,” he continues.
US President Joe Biden spoke again Wednesday with Ron DeSantis, like him running for president in 2024, to show his support and coordinate the federal response, she said. “Idalia is the strongest storm to make landfall in this part of Florida in over 100 years,” Deanne Criswell said. Tampa International Airport, closed due to Idalia, is due to reopen Wednesday afternoon as flights were halted on the US East Coast, plagued by another Atlantic hurricane, Franklin .