TALLAHASSEE (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Hurricane Idalia is hitting Florida and Georgia on Wednesday as a Category 1 storm with heavy rain and powerful winds. The storm left more than 300,000 people without power and flooded parts of Florida's Big Bend region as it cut a path inland into Georgia.
2 p.m. – Did 'hot tub' water in Florida this summer help fuel hurricane?
The water temperature around the tip of Florida hit 100 degrees — hot tub levels — two days in a row in July. Meteorologists said it could be the hottest seawater ever measured.
Anthony Broccoli, professor of atmospheric science and co-director of the Rutgers Climate Institute, spoke on Newsline with Brigitte Quinn about how climate change and increasingly warm waters can help strengthen hurricanes.
1 p.m. – Idalia weakens to Cat. 1 storm, Biden to speak
Idalia weakened to a Category 1 hurricane Wednesday afternoon as it moved through Georgia. It's expected to hammer the Carolinas overnight as a tropical storm.
More than 300,000 people were without power in Florida and Georgia as the storm continued to lash the states with heavy rain and sustained winds.
At a news conference, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said crews were working to restore areas that lost power.
Though nearly 1,000 flights had been canceled, airports in the area are expected to be reopened by Thursday.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak about the federal response in the afternoon.
12:15 p.m. – Idalia remains hurricane as it moves into Georgia
Idalia remains a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph as it crosses south Georgia, the National Hurricane Center said at midday Wednesday.
The storm's center is northeast of Valdosta, Georgia, and on a path toward the populous Savannah area.
Idalia's fierce winds uprooted trees and sent rain flying sideways in Valdosta, near the Florida line. Video from news outlets showed a large tree toppled onto a house, an awning mangled and twisted outside a storefront, and standing water on some roads.
10 a.m. – More than 250,000 without power in Florida
More than 250,000 customers were without power in the Big Bend region of Florida as Hurricane Idalia beared down Wednesday morning.
Poweroutage.us showed about 265,000 customers without power as of 10 a.m. Most of them were located in the area southeast of Tallahassee that's bearing the brunt of the storm.
Power was cut as trees snapped by strong winds brought down power lines and rushing water covered streets. Along the coast, some homes were submerged to near their rooftops and structures crumpled. As the eye moved inland, destructive winds shredded signs and sent sheet metal flying.
Idalia was downgraded around 9:15 a.m. to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.
People work to free a vehicle stuck on the shoulder amid storm debris as Hurricane Idalia crosses the state on August 30, 2023 near Mayo, Florida.Sean Rayford/Getty Images
7:45 a.m. -- Hurricane Idalia makes landfall as Category 3 storm
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 storm Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
Idalia will cut a path through Florida, Georgia and South Carolina on Wednesday before heading out to sea.AccuWeather
The hurricane, which came ashore about 60 miles southeast of Tallahassee at 7:45 a.m., is packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and threatens to bring life-threatening storm surges and rainfall to Florida's Gulf Coast.
Video showed significant storm surge in Steinhatchee, Florida, around 8 a.m.
Idalia briefly intensified to a Category 4 storm but returned to a still-powerful Category 3 storm right before making landfall. Category 3 storms are still considered "major" hurricanes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
