After <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane-idalia">Hurricane Idalia</a> slammed into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida">Florida</a> last week, reports of electric vehicles catching fire after coming into contact with floodwaters began to emerge.
At least two Tesla vehicles — one in Pinellas Park and another in Palm Harbor — ignited after being contaminated by saltwater from storm surge, according to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwraIqtRFqM">ABC&#8217;s Tampa Bay affiliate</a>.
Palm Harbor Fire Rescue posted to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Palmharborfire/posts/697381912418591?ref=embed_post">Facebook</a> about one of the incidents, warning that exposure to saltwater &#8220;can trigger combustion in lithium-ion batteries.&#8221;
Electric vehicle owners were advised to move any car that came into recent contact with saltwater to immediately relocate the vehicle, specifically if it was parked in a garage.
The list of potentially affected vehicles includes golf carts and electric scooters.
&#8220;Salt particles get into the battery and other electrical components and they act as a conductor, leading to a short circuit and eventually a fire. And the risk of ignition lasts for weeks after a storm,&#8221; The Weather Channel&#8217;s Danielle Banks <a href="https://weather.com/safety/auto/video/laborious-ev-fires-igniting-after-idalia-flooding">said</a> in an explainer video.
The battery packs are &#8220;encased in metal and hard to get to at the bottom of the cars,&#8221; Banks added. &#8220;The fire sometimes takes tens of thousands of gallons of water and hours of firefighting to extinguish and even then may reignite days later.&#8221;
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Tesla has a <a href="https://www.tesla.com/support/submerged-vehicle-guidance">guidance page</a> for owners whose vehicle has become submerged due to flooding or other extreme weather conditions on its website.
Drivers are encouraged to treat their vehicle &#8220;as if it has been in an accident and contact your insurance company,&#8221; not to attempt to operate the vehicle without an inspection from an authorized shop, and to get the vehicle towed or otherwise moved at least 50 feet away from structures or &#8220;other combustible materials such as other cars and personal property.&#8221;
Hurricane Idalia made landfall over Florida&#8217;s Gulf Coast near Keaton Beach on Wednesday, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rains, and storm surge. It has since swept across Florida and neighboring states and <a href="https://www.foxweather.com/watch/play-69e00674a000e3d">dissipated</a> over the Atlantic Ocean.
Authorities pushed drivers to move their electric vehicles to <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/florida-residents-told-move-electric-cars-before-idalia-hits-1822924">higher ground</a> when the storm approached as a precaution.
Other hurricanes are known to have caused electric vehicles to catch fire in the past, which led some officials and policymakers to <a href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/files/EA2BECF3-6D20-45A1-8F39-774B8534A800">question</a> whether auto-makers are doing enough to develop safety protocols amid the Biden administration&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/13/climate/electric-vehicles-biden-epa.html">push</a> for a transition away from gasoline-burning vehicles.
USA Today <a href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/files/EA2BECF3-6D20-45A1-8F39-774B8534A800">reported</a> that 21 electric vehicles are known to have burned in connection to flooding from Hurricane Ian in Florida and the Carolinas last year out of an estimated 358,000 damaged vehicles.

Hurricane Idalia Slams Into Florida’s Gulf Coast

Electric Vehicles Catch Fire After Hurricane Idalia Flooding

Electric cars

Florida

Hurricane

Hurricane Idalia

Severe Weather

Transportation

U.S.

Florida Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-desantis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ron DeSantis</a> continued to lead recovery efforts in Florida&#8217;s Big Bind over the weekend after it was hit by near-Category 4 Hurricane Idalia last week.
DeSantis, who is also running for president, stepped off the campaign trail last week to focus on leading his state&#8217;s response to the hurricane.
The governor met with large numbers of residents on Saturday in areas that had been impacted to find out what they needed from the state and to serve food to those communities.
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It was my pleasure to help serve the Horseshoe Beach community today.
Thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/ChickfilA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChickfilA</a> for supporting our recovery efforts. <a href="https://t.co/WDd6KlEa8Q">pic.twitter.com/WDd6KlEa8Q</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1698050950072881227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Keaton Beach sustained major damage from Hurricane Idalia when it made landfall here. 
This will not be an easy recovery, but local officials are working nonstop to get this community back on its feet. We will be there to provide support. <a href="https://t.co/McrmxxAAhj">pic.twitter.com/McrmxxAAhj</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1698063723636965830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this week I met with Eileen Lilley, who was in desperate need of help after she lost her home from Idalia. <a href="https://twitter.com/FLSERT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLSERT</a> has already been able to bring her a new trailer to live in until she is able to rebuild. We were also able to bring her supplies to get her through this… <a href="https://t.co/d8cXTBr8dQ">pic.twitter.com/d8cXTBr8dQ</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1698078373606834510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/FLACommerce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLACommerce</a> is providing no-interest emergency bridge loans to help businesses impacted by Idalia. 
Apply for these loans and find in-person locations for business resources at <a href="https://t.co/r9ix7cEXHr">https://t.co/r9ix7cEXHr</a> <a href="https://t.co/cFpTr8jOhB">pic.twitter.com/cFpTr8jOhB</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1698093631205232846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Today I met with residents in Madison County who were heavily impacted by Idalia.
Operation BBQ Relief has been serving hot meals at Madison County High School and they will continue to be in the community to meet outstanding needs. <a href="https://t.co/qCHemZGp33">pic.twitter.com/qCHemZGp33</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1697772031960367607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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President Joe Biden visited the state for what many conservatives said online was a &#8220;photo-op&#8221; in an apparent attempt to show that he pays attention to major disasters in the U.S. after he was widely criticized for his weak response to the historic fire in Maui last month. The president was also criticized over his refusal to visit East Palestine after the town was devastated by a train derailment in February that polluted the environment and contaminated the water.
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“As I’ve told your governor, if there’s anything your state needs, I’m ready to mobilize that support,” Biden said. “Anything they need related to these storms. Your nation has your back and we’ll be with you until the job is done.’’
DeSantis&#8217; team <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/desantis-bucks-biden-meet-offer-secret-service-protections-would-shut-down-ongoing-recovery-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Friday that the governor would not meet with Biden and suggested that he should not visit the affected area because the security precautions that the Secret Service would have to take would shut down recovery efforts.
“We don’t have any plans for the Governor to meet with the President tomorrow,” DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern said in a statement. “In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts.”
Biden <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/politics/watch-biden-declines-to-bash-desantis-when-asked-by-reporter-if-hes-disappointed-in-governor-for-not-joining-him/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the press conference in Florida that DeSantis directed him to go to &#8220;where would be the least disruption.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-repeatedly-attacks-desantis-while-he-manages-florida-hurricane-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Repeatedly Attacks DeSantis While He Manages Florida Hurricane Response</a>

Florida Starts To Recover As Idalia Soaks US South With Rain

DeSantis Continues To Assist In Recovery Efforts While Biden Comes To Florida For ‘Photo Op’

DeSantis Continues To Assist In Recovery Efforts While Biden Comes To Florida For 'Photo Op'

Joe Biden

Ron DeSantis

Florida Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-desantis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ron DeSantis</a> bucked an offer from President Joe Biden this week to meet in Florida following Hurricane Idalia because the security protections that Biden would require would shut down recovery efforts.
Biden told CNN on Friday that he had plans to meet with the governor during his trip to the state over the weekend.
However, DeSantis&#8217; office said that won&#8217;t be happening because the governor is focused solely on recovery efforts.
“We don’t have any plans for the Governor to meet with the President tomorrow,” DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern said in a statement. “In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts.”
Earlier in the week, Biden said that in his talks with DeSantis about the hurricane, there was never any mention of politics.
“Governor DeSantis is also running for president. You are running for re-election,” a reporter said. “Did you sense any politics in your conversations with him about [Hurricane Idalia]?”
“No, believe it or not. I know it sounds strange, especially how the nature of politics today,” Biden responded. “But I was down there in the last major storm, I spent a lot of time with him walking from community to community making sure he had what he needed to get it done.”
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“I think he trusts my judgement and my desire to help and I trust him to be able to suggest what he needs, that this is not about politics, this is about taking care of the people of the state,” he added.
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People’s lives are at stake yet corporate media continues to try to create clickbait headlines. Gross. 
&quot;Gov. DeSantis is also running for president&#8230;Do you sense any politics in your conversations with him about [Hurricane Idalia]?&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MLwDOqWmaN">pic.twitter.com/MLwDOqWmaN</a>
&mdash; DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeSantisWarRoom/status/1696977289483813296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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DeSantis Bucks Biden Meet Offer: Secret Service Protections Would ‘Shut Down Ongoing Recovery Efforts’

What is with this guy?
President Joe Biden, for the second time in less than two weeks, compared the devastation of a widespread natural disaster to that time his house was struck by lightning. Biden&#8217;s most recent comments came as he addressed the devastation wrought by Hurricane Idalia as well as the wildfires in Hawaii.
&#8220;I didn’t have anything like that, but lightning struck my house,&#8221; Biden said from the White House Wednesday. &#8220;We had to be out of that house for about seven months while it was repaired because so much damage was done to the house.&#8221;
&#8220;Half the house almost collapsed,&#8221; he tacked on for good measure.
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Biden again compares his kitchen fire to the wildfires in Hawaii and Hurricane Idalia. <a href="https://t.co/7dUIm8KUDj">pic.twitter.com/7dUIm8KUDj</a>
&mdash; Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) <a href="https://twitter.com/WarMachineRR/status/1696962225213215168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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What actually happened was a small kitchen fire that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whats-lower-bidens-emotional-intelligence-or-his-approval-rating" target="_blank" rel="noopener">happened</a> in 2004. Here’s how the Associated Press covered it at the time:
<blockquote>Lightning struck the home of Sen. Joseph Biden, starting a small fire that was contained to the kitchen.
No one was injured in Sunday’s fire, which started amid a storm that caused serious flooding in Pennsylvania and knocked out power to hundreds of Delaware homes and businesses.</blockquote>
“The fire was under control in 20 minutes,” Cranston Heights Fire Company Chief George Lamborn said at the time.
While in Hawaii, Biden&#8217;s comments were even worse than Wednesday&#8217;s remarks.
“I don’t want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense —  Jill and I — of what it’s like to lose a home. Years ago now — 15 years ago … lightning struck at home on a little lake that is outside of our home,” he droned. “And it hit a wire and came up underneath our home into the heating ducts — the air conditioning ducts.”
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“To make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my ’67 Corvette and my cat,” he said with a chuckle. “But all kidding aside, I watched the firefighters, the way they responded.”
Those comments, of course, came after lives and livelihoods were utterly destroyed by a wildfire exacerbated by government incompetence.
The man cannot help himself from lying in broad daylight — even after he has been busted repeating the same fib countless times.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Biden, Again, Lies About Small Kitchen Fire In Response To Hurricane Idalia

Executive

Maui

Politics

President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a> said during a press conference on Wednesday that he sensed nothing political when he spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as DeSantis managed Florida&#8217;s emergency response to Hurricane Idalia.
&#8220;Governor DeSantis is also running for president. You are running for re-election,&#8221; a reporter said. &#8220;Did you sense any politics in your conversations with him about [Hurricane Idalia]?&#8221;
&#8220;No, believe it or not. I know it sounds strange, especially how the nature of politics today,&#8221; Biden responded. &#8220;But I was down there in the last major storm, I spent a lot of time with him walking from community to community making sure he had what he needed to get it done.&#8221;
&#8220;I think he trusts my judgement and my desire to help and I trust him to be able to suggest what he needs, that this is not about politics, this is about taking care of the people of the state,&#8221; he added.
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WATCH:
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People’s lives are at stake yet corporate media continues to try to create clickbait headlines. Gross. 
&quot;Gov. DeSantis is also running for president&#8230;Do you sense any politics in your conversations with him about [Hurricane Idalia]?&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MLwDOqWmaN">pic.twitter.com/MLwDOqWmaN</a>
&mdash; DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeSantisWarRoom/status/1696977289483813296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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TRANSCRIPT:
<blockquote>REPORTER: Gov. DeSantis is also running for president. You are running for re-election. Did you sense any politics in your conversations with him about [Hurricane Idalia]?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: No, believe it or not. I know it sounds strange, especially how the nature of politics today. But I was down there in the last major storm, I spent a lot of time with him walking from community to community making sure he had what he needed to get it done. I think he trusts my judgement and my desire to help and I trust him to be able to suggest what he needs, that this is not about politics, this is about taking care of the people of the state.</blockquote>

US-POLITICS-BIDEN-FIRE-MAUI-HURRICANE-IDALIA

Biden: It Was ‘Strange’ That DeSantis Wasn’t Political In Managing Hurricane Response

Biden: It Was 'Strange' That DeSantis Wasn't Political In Managing Hurricane Response

Meteorologist Ryan Maue dumped cold water on CNN&#8217;s climate hysteria amid <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Idalia&#8217;s</a> brutal assault on Florida&#8217;s Gulf Coast early on Wednesday morning.
Maue was responding to a report from CNN&#8217;s Bill Weir, who claimed that the continued use of fossil fuels was to blame for the increasing intensity of major storms, and argued that states like Florida — where parts of the economy are dependent on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico — would just have to learn to balance financial interests with climate mitigation efforts.
WATCH:
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.⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/BillWeirCNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BillWeirCNN</a>⁩: “The cost of [using fossil fuels] is becoming bigger with every storm. Science has been warning about this for a very long time, in many ways it has been predicted. It is the speed that we’re seeing these changes that has taken most folks by surprise.” <a href="https://t.co/m6uvy7rUum">pic.twitter.com/m6uvy7rUum</a>
&mdash; Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomselliott/status/1696855963972550963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;That&#8217;s the biggest sort of trillion dollar question about how you adapt communities like this to the world that we&#8217;re already now living in, at the same time trying to mitigate further — more wicked storms down the road with more fossil fuel pollution,&#8221; Weir began, noting that President Joe Biden&#8217;s administration was planning to open up the Gulf to more oil and gas lease sales.
&#8220;The cost of [using fossil fuels] is becoming bigger with every storm. Science has been warning about this for a very long time, in many ways it has been predicted. It is the speed that we’re seeing these changes that has taken most folks by surprise,&#8221; he continued.
Maue pushed back, however, saying that while Idalia was certainly a force to be reckoned with, a hurricane with winds of that strength was not unprecedented in that area.
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&#8220;CNN went full &#8216;climate crisis&#8217; with their top climate expert Dr. Bill Weir so early in the morning with Idalia. Except, the landfall of Idalia is only strongest along coastal area since 1896 Cedar Keys hurricane (125 mph) 125-years ago, well prior to modern fossil fuel usage,&#8221; he said.
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CNN went full &quot;climate crisis&quot; with their top climate expert Dr. Bill Weir so early in the morning with Idalia. 
Except, the landfall of Idalia is only strongest along coastal area since 1896 Cedar Keys hurricane (125 mph) 125-years ago, well prior to modern fossil fuel usage. <a href="https://t.co/MFKD0e5qbF">https://t.co/MFKD0e5qbF</a>
&mdash; Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1696858220764004737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Maue also shared a graphic with additional details, adding, &#8220;1896 Cedar Keys hurricane also made landfall in Florida&#8217;s Big Bend with 125 mph winds[.] Climate context: this is a 0 mph landfall maximum wind increase from 1896-2023 or 0 mph/century for the worst 2 storms.&#8221;
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1896 Cedar Keys hurricane also made landfall in Florida&#39;s Big Bend with 125 mph winds
Climate context: this is a 0 mph landfall maximum wind increase from 1896-2023 or 0 mph/century for the worst 2 storms. <a href="https://t.co/y82ZEBxHqa">pic.twitter.com/y82ZEBxHqa</a>
&mdash; Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1696855764365648193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Maue also responded to critics who argued that no one could ignore just how rapidly Idalia had gained strength — and attributing that to climate change — saying, &#8220;How much stronger was Idalia made because of climate change? Why didn&#8217;t Idalia rapidly intensify during the 3 days it sat over the NW Caribbean? Did someone forget to push a button or turn a knob?&#8221;
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How much stronger was Idalia made because of climate change?
Why didn&#39;t Idalia rapidly intensify during the 3 days it sat over the NW Caribbean? Did someone forget to push a button or turn a knob?
&mdash; Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1696869145948643794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Meteorologist Dumps Cold Water On CNN’s Idalia-Fueled Climate Hysteria

Meteorologist Dumps Cold Water On CNN's Idalia-Fueled Climate Hysteria

Climate Change

Media

Weather

A large 100-year-old oak tree fell on the Florida Governor&#8217;s Mansion as the state deals with a historic hurricane slamming into Florida&#8217;s Big Bend.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://twitter.com/FLVoiceNews/status/1696928506909786613">said</a> no one was injured when asked during a press conference about the incident.
&#8220;100 year old oak tree falls on the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee — Mason, Madison, Mamie and I were home at the time, but thankfully no one was injured,&#8221; DeSantis&#8217; wife, Casey, wrote on X. &#8220;Our prayers are with everyone impacted by the storm.&#8221;
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100 year old oak tree falls on the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee — Mason, Madison, Mamie and I were home at the time, but thankfully no one was injured.
Our prayers are with everyone impacted by the storm. <a href="https://t.co/l6MOE8wNMC">pic.twitter.com/l6MOE8wNMC</a>
&mdash; Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaseyDeSantis/status/1696926357404500285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Idalia, called “an unprecedented event” by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, is the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12459431/hurricane-idalia-florida-refuse-evacuation-orders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most powerful storm</a> to hit Florida’s Big Bend in over 125 years, triggering evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of people.
Idalia had reached the speed of 156 mph as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico before hitting land, but dropped in intensity. The National Hurricane Center <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/08/30/hurricane-idalia-now-category-4-hurricane-approaching-florida-landfall/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a> the storm was altering because of an eyewall replacement cycle. “This change in wind speed does not diminish the threat of catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds,” the NHC stated, warning that the storm surge could reach 12-16 feet.
“There will be impacts far beyond the eyewall,” Governor Ron DeSantis told a press conference in Tallahassee on Wednesday morning, noting that the area has already seen 11 tornado warnings, with more possible. “Don’t put your life at risk by doing anything dumb at this point,” the governor urged. “This thing’s powerful. If you’re inside just hunker down until it gets past.”

Tree

100-Year-Old Oak Tree Falls On Florida Governor’s Mansion

100-Year-Old Oak Tree Falls On Florida Governor's Mansion

Casey DeSantis

Hurricane Idalia made landfall at Category 3 strength in Florida’s Big Bend at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, smashing into the town of Keaton Beach, just north of Steinhatchee, with fierce 125 mph winds. By 9 a.m., the center of the storm was 20 miles south-southwest of Madison and 45 miles south-southwest of Valdosta, Georgia, with winds reduced to 110 mph.
Idalia, called “an unprecedented event” by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, is the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12459431/hurricane-idalia-florida-refuse-evacuation-orders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most powerful storm</a> to hit Florida’s Big Bend in over 125 years, triggering evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of people.
Idalia had reached the speed of 156 mph as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico before hitting land, but dropped in intensity. The National Hurricane Center <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/08/30/hurricane-idalia-now-category-4-hurricane-approaching-florida-landfall/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a> the storm was altering because of an eyewall replacement cycle. “This change in wind speed does not diminish the threat of catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds,” the NHC stated, warning that the storm surge could reach 12-16 feet.
“There will be impacts far beyond the eyewall,” Governor Ron DeSantis told a press conference in Tallahassee on Wednesday morning, noting that the area has already seen 11 tornado warnings, with more possible. “Don’t put your life at risk by doing anything dumb at this point,&#8221; the governor urged. &#8220;This thing’s powerful. If you’re inside just hunker down until it gets past.”
DeSantis has suspended tolls in counties targeted by the storm so residents could evacuate more quickly, and he&#8217;s declared a state of emergency for 49 Florida counties. Some 5,500 National Guard members have been assigned to aid evacuations and building defenses. Press conferences are scheduled throughout the day for updates from the governor that will be streamed on <a href="https://thefloridachannel.org/">thefloridachannel.org</a> and his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovRonDeSantis">Facebook</a> page.
Speaking of the 30,000 and 40,000 utility linesman who are ready to go to work to address the inevitable outages — 25,000 are already in place — DeSantis stated, “They will immediately move to commence power restoration efforts. We’ve also been working with counties to make sure that they know that we have resources ready to deploy and we want to be helpful to support their efforts.”
The Big Bend area had not seen a hurricane this strong since the 19th century, the governor noted, stating, &#8220;I think that being safe is the appropriate thing and in erring on the side of caution is the appropriate thing.”
Video of the damage is streaming in. As footage shows, Horseshoe Beach was entirely submerged by the storm:
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Here&#39;s the full video of the destruction of the Horseshoe Beach, FL camera moments ago. This camera was at least 10 feet above sea level. Waves were overtaking this camera during its final moments. <a href="https://t.co/y3ZAok0Ft0">https://t.co/y3ZAok0Ft0</a> <a href="https://t.co/JUu8JGZwQG">pic.twitter.com/JUu8JGZwQG</a>
&mdash; RadarOmega (@RadarOmega) <a href="https://twitter.com/RadarOmega/status/1696857231780700670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Other videos showed the power of the storm:
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Trees being shredded on the Nature Coast between Perry and Salem, FL as the eye of Idalia hammers the Big Bend <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Idalia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Idalia</a> <a href="https://t.co/2OjrlUsNBi">pic.twitter.com/2OjrlUsNBi</a>
&mdash; Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) <a href="https://twitter.com/aaronjayjack/status/1696854052015833546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Here’s a look at the flooding in the parking lot of Derby Lane. Bridges are closed.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stpetepd?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stpetepd</a> asks you to Please stay off the roads. <a href="https://t.co/hyggsF2NVd">pic.twitter.com/hyggsF2NVd</a>
&mdash; St. Pete Police (@StPetePD) <a href="https://twitter.com/StPetePD/status/1696832010407251997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Surge continues to pile into the Tampa Bay region, threatening homes nearest the coast. Lights are flickering around us. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Idalia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Idalia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a> <a href="https://t.co/oqhFJCi8KV">pic.twitter.com/oqhFJCi8KV</a>
&mdash; Derek Van Dam (@VanDamCNN) <a href="https://twitter.com/VanDamCNN/status/1696835230886248497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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By 9:47 a.m., over 267,000 Florida customers were without power, <a href="https://poweroutage.us/area/state/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poweroutage.us</a> reported.
All flights out of Tampa were canceled on Tuesday. A U.S. military plane above the Tampa area took astonishing video of rare St Elmo&#8217;s Fire lightning strikes.
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All aircraft on the installation have been evacuated/secured in preparation for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneIdalia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurricaneIdalia</a> . During the evacuation, the 50th ARS recorded St. Elmo’s fire, a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created in an atmospheric electric field. <a href="https://t.co/tqUGhfm8iN">pic.twitter.com/tqUGhfm8iN</a>
&mdash; MacDill AFB (@MacDill_AFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MacDill_AFB/status/1696623235943530855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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