Idalia updates: Damaging tornadoes, severe flooding from Florida to Carolinas

President Joe Biden plans to travel to Florida on Saturday to survey the damage from Hurricane Idalia, he told reporters during a visit at FEMA headquarters.

The visit was billed as one to thank FEMA staff for their work during the hurricane and the Maui wildfires.

Biden noted that he once again spoke with Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis on Thursday.

"Governor DeSantis and I spoke again this morning and let him know that I accrued his major disaster declaration," Biden said.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Steinhatchee in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday to survey the damage caused by Idalia.

"I'm seeing a lot of damage, and I'm also seeing a lot of resiliency," DeSantis said.

The governor said 135,000 customers are still without power in the state and noted that there have been 430,000 restorations since the storm hit on Wednesday.

DeSantis said most schools that closed due to the hurricane will be open by Friday.

-ABC News' Will McDuffie and Hannah Demissie

Tropical Storm Idalia is moving off the North Carolina coast and heading out to sea.

Rain and gusty winds will continue to hit North Carolina's Outer Banks through the afternoon before trailing off Thursday evening.

Parts of eastern North Carolina recorded more than 6 inches of rain, causing flash flooding Thursday morning.

Charleston, which is vulnerable to flooding, recorded a storm surge of 3.47 feet -- its fifth highest on record.

But Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said the city "really dodged the bullet" of Hurricane Idalia.

"The wind and the rain impact were pretty minimal," he said Thursday.

Twenty-two water rescues were reported, which mostly were for people trapped in flooded cars, the mayor said.

-ABC News' Jason Volack