Hurricane Idalia, the strongest storm of this season, made landfall in Florida on Monday with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread power outages. While Marion County largely escaped being affected by Idalia’s fury, other parts of Florida weren’t so fortunate.
A Category 4 Monster
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Hurricane Idalia quickly intensified over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, quickly reaching Category 4 status with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. At 2 pm local time on Monday afternoon near Panama City in Florida’s Panhandle region it slammed into, causing widespread damage and flooding.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Idalia was one of the strongest hurricanes to ever strike Florida’s Panhandle since records began being kept back in 1851. She also set a new barometric pressure record at 919 millibars.
A Tale of Two Counties
Hurricane Idalia brought chaos and devastation to the Panhandle region, while Marion County largely avoided being affected. While they experienced gusty winds and rainstorms, no major damages or injuries were reported here.
John Smith, Director of Emergency Management for Marion County, stated that their county was well prepared for Hurricane Irma, with residents following evacuation orders and safety precautions as needed.
“We feel fortunate that Idalia did not hit us directly, while at the same time being sorry for those in Panhandle suffering at this time,” Smith noted.
A Long Road to Recovery
Hurricane Idalia wreaked havoc across areas that were severely affected, leaving millions without power, water or communications services; many homes and businesses were either completely destroyed or irreparably damaged; roads and bridges were washed away or blocked with debris; recovery will take time.
FEMA announced it is mobilizing thousands of personnel and tons of supplies to the affected areas, with President Joe Biden declaring a major disaster declaration in Florida and offering all available federal support.
Biden issued a televised address assuring Florida of his support, saying they will do everything possible to assist with reconstruction after this devastating hurricane.
Hurricane Idalia, a Category 4 monster, hit Florida’s Panhandle region on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and misery. Marion County was spared from the worst of the storm, while other parts of Florida faced severe challenges. FEMA and President Biden pledged to provide all the necessary aid and resources to help the affected communities recover from this historic disaster.
