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

Idalia, now a tropical storm, touched down in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane.

ByEmily Shapiro, Morgan Winsor, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: August 31, 2023, 4:37 PM EDT

Idalia touched down in Florida's Big Bend region on Wednesday morning as a powerful Category 3 hurricane -- the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the Apalachee Bay.

Idalia has since weakened into a tropical storm and moved inland over Georgia and the Carolinas.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Aug 28, 2023, 8:33 AM EDT

Idalia's latest forecast

Idalia may rapidly intensify on Monday night and Tuesday, strengthening to a major Category 3 hurricane by Tuesday night.

Landfall is currently forecast for Wednesday morning in Florida's Big Bend area.

The landfall is expected on Wednesday late morning, in the Big Bend area of Florida, north of Tampa.
ABC News

Storm surge is expected to be severe. It could reach 4 to 7 feet in Tampa and up to 11 feet in the Big Bend area.

Storm surge expected to be 4 to 7 feet in Tampa. Big Bend area will see storm surge up to 11 feet.
ABC News

Up to 10 inches of rain is possible in north Florida. Tampa Bay could see more than 6 inches of rain.

Idalia's rain forecast.
ABC News

By Wednesday evening, Idalia will be weaker -- a tropical storm -- as it moves near the Carolinas with heavy rain and gusty winds. Idalia is not expected to impact the Northeast.

-ABC News' Max Golembo

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