Idalia updates: Damaging tornadoes, severe flooding from Florida to Carolinas
Idalia, now a tropical storm, touched down in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane.
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:
Idalia brings rain, wind to North Carolina's Outer Banks before moving off coast
Idalia is bringing gusty winds, rain and storm surge to North Carolina's Outer Banks before the storm moves off the coast in about one hour.
Tropical storm and flash flood warnings are expected to be discontinued in North Carolina soon.
Idalia is forecast to move over Bermuda by Sunday, possibly as a tropical cyclone with winds near 50 mph.
1 death reported in Georgia
One person died from the storm in Georgia when a tree fell on a car in Lowndes County, along the Florida border, according to James Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Gov. Brian Kemp plans to visit south Georgia on Friday.
DeSantis, FEMA administrator to tour hard-hit areas
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he'll tour some of the hard-hit areas, like Cedar Key, to assess the damage.
Idalia has ripped down buildings, toppled trees and submerged entire neighborhoods.
DeSantis said there's a massive amount of debris left behind because Idalia struck a region with a lot of trees.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who joined DeSantis at his briefing in Florida, added, "We are committed to bringing the entire federal family in here to support."
President Joe Biden spoke with DeSantis Thursday morning and signed a Major Disaster Declaration, according to the White House.
While at least two fatalities have been reported in Florida, Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, said there are no confirmed deaths.
Over 240,000 without power in Florida, Georgia
Over 140,000 customers in Florida are still without power and another 105,000 customers are waking up in the dark in Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.
Taylor County in Florida's Big Bend region, which includes the hard-hit city of Perry, is completely without power, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Tornado confirmed near Charleston
A tornado was confirmed near Charleston Wednesday afternoon.
Meteorologists are warning of flying debris and damage to roofs, windows and cars.
A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. ET for parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, including Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. Hail and 70 mph wind gusts are also possible.
