Hurricane Idalia Makes Landfall in Florida
For many in the Tampa area, this was just a wind and rain situation. For those along the coast waters are rising and causing flooding today. But for the Big…
TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA – AUGUST 30: Reporters wade through flood waters as it inundates the downtown area after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
For many in the Tampa area, this was just a wind and rain situation. For those along the coast waters are rising and causing flooding today. But for the Big Bend, Hurricane Idalia was a direct hit, reaching a Category 4 status.
Denis Phillips and our weather partners at ABC Action News called this one perfectly again in terms of the track and impact on the Tampa area. Here are their latest observations and some notes from other local weather experts about Idalia.
8AM Update from the National Hurricane Center
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Englewood northward to Indian Pass Florida, including Tampa Bay
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass Florida, including
Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Bonita Beach northward to the Middle of Longboat Key
* West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
* Sebastian Inlet Florida to the North Carolina/Virginia border
* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Idalia was located by
Tallahassee radar near latitude 29.9 North, longitude 83.5 West.
Idalia is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph (30 km/h). A
north-northeastward motion is expected through the morning, with
Idalia's center forecast to move into southern Georgia later today.
Idalia is forecast to turn toward the northeast and east-northeast,
moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and
North Carolina late today and Thursday.
STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause
normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters
moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the
following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if
the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Wakulla/Jefferson County, FL to Yankeetown, FL...12-16 ft
Ochlockonee River, FL to Wakulla/Jefferson County, FL...8-12 ft
Yankeetown, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL...7-11 ft
Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL...6-9 ft
Carrabelle, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL...5-8 ft
Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL...4-6 ft
Tampa Bay...4-6 ft
Indian Pass, FL to Carrabelle, FL...3-5 ft
Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL...3-5 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by
large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the
relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary
greatly over short distances. For information specific to your
area, please see products issued by your local National Weather
Service forecast office.
Closures
Staying off the road is a good idea anyway right now... but this really paints the picture.
Important Reminders
From the National Weather Service...
Landfall in Florida
Outer Bands
Although the center of the storm was far north of us, the outer bands are bringing heavy wind and rain this morning.
Clearwater Beach
This was the scene at about 3AM this morning...
Sewer flooding
A request from the City of Clearwater...
Flooding in Tampa
From the City of Tampa...
Madeira Beach
Daylight scene there this morning...
Bayshore Blvd
It is now completely underwater this morning. This was the scene at 3AM.
Pine Island
The scene in Pasco... the sand is underwater .
