PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA: Videos online depict the alarming scenes of flooded streets in various parts of Florida as Hurricane Idalia, a Category 4 storm, made landfall along the Gulf Coast.
The storm earned the moniker "storm of the century" due to the speed at which it intensified. The storm is wreaking havoc in Florida's Big Bend region on Wednesday, August 30.
Hurricane Idalia causes coastal flooding before arrival
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings about the significant flood risk posed by Hurricane Idalia, which is drawing energy from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Preceding its arrival, the storm's outer bands have already battered Florida's southwest, causing coastal flooding, turbulent waves and strong winds.
The looming menace of powerful storm surging inland has ignited fears of unparalleled destruction in its wake.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sounded the alarm about the gravity of the impending crisis.
In a press conference, DeSantis said, "Storm surge of this magnitude is not something we've ever seen in this part of Florida in any of our lifetimes."
He added, "So, please, please take the appropriate precautions." The impact of the storm is anticipated to resonate from the Florida Panhandle to the Fort Myers area, sparing no corner of the region.
Hurricane Idalia poses risk of 'life-threatening' storm surges along Florida's West Coast
In light of the storm's arrival, a state of emergency has been declared across 46 out of Florida's 67 counties.
The hurricane is projected to unleash "life-threatening" storm surges as it made landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday.
Due to the hurricane, DeSantis has momentarily suspended his presidential campaign to direct his focus on managing the unfolding crisis within his state.
He said, "There’s time and a place to have political season, but then there’s a time and a place to say that this is something that’s life-threatening."
He continued, "This is something that could potentially cost somebody their life, that could cost them their livelihood."
"And we have a responsibility as Americans to come together and do what we can to mitigate any damage and to protect people," he added.
