(KTEN) – Upon weakening from a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Idalia made landfall at 7:45 a.m. ET on August 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

 

Upon approach to Florida, Hurricane Idalia strengthened into an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph and a distinct eye.

 

Hundreds of thousands are without power in Florida and Georgia as the storm continues to slide along the East Coast.

 

Up to 12 to 15 feet of storm surge was forecast in the Big Bend of Florida. As of the morning of August 30, up to 6 feet of storm surge had already been observed.

 

Search and rescue operations were underway in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, as floodwaters continued to rise.

 

Timelapse video shows the severe impacts from the storm surge moving into areas along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

 

With Hurricane Idalia reaching the 110+ mph sustained wind threshold in the Gulf of Mexico, this is the first time since 1950 that there have been two 110+ mph hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin in August at the same time.

 

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A 100-year-old oak tree on the grounds of the Florida Governor’s Mansion toppled due to the storm’s strong winds.

 

The power of Idalia was so strong that it reversed the flow of the Steinhatchee River, ripping sailboats from their moorings and causing extensive damage to their masts.

 

 

Catastrophic storm surge flooding and widespread excessive rainfall will continue to be experienced through the next few days from Florida to North Carolina before Idalia is forecast to push out to sea.