PERRY, Fla. — On Thursday, Tropical Storm Idalia traveled through the Carolinas on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. This led to flooding and devastation across the Southeast, dating back to when it first hit Florida as a hurricane.
Efforts for rescue and repair were ongoing, with authorities confirming at least one fatality. The storm caused power outages for up to half a million customers across various states, due to the toppling of power poles and lines.
Despite initial concerns, the storm's impact was less severe than anticipated. It made a relatively minor impact on densely populated areas like Tampa Bay, with its landfall in rural Florida reaching speeds of 125 mph (201 kph).
The weakened Tropical Storm Idalia maintained wind speeds of up to 60 mph (96 kph) while passing through Georgia and South Carolina on Wednesday evening.
Expected to reach the North Carolina coast by Thursday, the storm was forecasted to move out into the ocean over the weekend.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who declared a state of emergency, had advised coastal and inland residents to be ready for heavy rainfall and flooding, urging them to stay off water-covered roads. In South Carolina, combined with high tides, the storm led to seawater surging over sand dunes onto beachfront streets.
Charleston experienced flooding as the downtown seawall was breached by Idalia's surge. Initial data showed the tide reaching over 9.2 feet (2.8 meters), the fifth-highest reading in Charleston Harbor's history.
Brief tornadoes were triggered by the storm, causing minimal injuries. After crossing the Gulf of Mexico, Idalia hit Florida's Big Bend region, flooding streets, damaging homes, and uprooting trees. Belond Thomas from Perry shared their experience of seeking refuge in a motel, which was ultimately damaged by the storm's impact.
President Joe Biden assured full support for the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, conveying his commitment through the White House. He personally reached out to them on Wednesday to offer assistance from his administration.
Warnings were issued in Bermuda about the potential impact of Idalia as a tropical storm in the following week.
Meanwhile, the island was already experiencing outer bands of Hurricane Franklin, a Category 2 storm, anticipated to pass near Bermuda in the north Atlantic Ocean.
Idalia weakened into a tropical storm by late Wednesday, yet it still had a notable impact as it moved into Georgia.
Tragically, a man in Valdosta lost his life when a falling tree struck him while he was attempting to clear another fallen tree from the road. Additional individuals, including a sheriff's deputy, suffered injuries.
State efforts included over 5,500 National Guardsmen and rescue teams conducting search-and-recovery missions. Their tasks encompassed inspecting bridges, clearing fallen trees, and assisting those in need. A workforce of over 30,000 utility workers gathered to repair power lines and poles downed by the storm.
Tallahassee lost power before the storm's core arrived, although the city narrowly avoided a direct hit. A large oak tree near the governor's mansion split due to strong winds, leaving debris scattered in the yard.
In central Big Bend, such as Horseshoe Beach, significant destruction was evident. Jewell Baggett recounted her mother's home, built decades ago and having withstood previous storms, being completely destroyed. A few cherished items were salvaged from the wreckage. Around five or six other homes in the area also suffered destruction.
Although there were no confirmed hurricane-related deaths in Florida, two people died in separate weather-related accidents shortly before Idalia's landfall. Contrary to initial fears, Idalia caused less damage than anticipated, sparing populous regions like Tampa Bay and focusing its impact on the rural Big Bend area.