Florida’s Gulf Coast Begins Recovery While Idalia Drenches Carolinas

Storm Idalia on Thursday inundated the Carolinas with torrential rains that threatened to trigger dangerous flash flooding, while Florida’s Gulf Coast began recovery efforts after the system tore through the region as a Category 3 hurricane.

The backend of the storm was producing heavy downpours of up to 10 inches (25 cm) in some spots along the region’s coastline on Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

The service predicted that rains would diminish during the afternoon, but warned of possible life-threatening flash flooding especially in low-lying areas and along rivers, through the evening. Storm surge watches were also in effect for several oceanfront communities as fierce winds remained in the forecast.

“Remaining efforts to protect property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for limited wind damage,” the service said.

As of midday, the center of the storm was moving eastward off the North Carolina Coast, about 85 miles (135 km) southeast of Cape Lookout as it carried winds of 65 mph (105 kph). Idalia was expected to curl eastward and out into the Atlantic on Thursday night.

The rough conditions in the Carolinas come a day after Idalia crashed ashore at Keaton Beach in Florida’s Big Bend region, lashing the coast with sustained winds of up to 125 mph, torrential rains and pounding surf.

Local, state and federal authorities will assess the full extent of damage in the days ahead. Insured property losses in Florida were projected to run $9.36 billion, investment bank UBS said in a research note.

While coastal communities sustained major damage, Idalia appeared to have been far less destructive than Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm that struck Florida last September, killing 150 people and causing $112 billion in damage.

“The community is resilient and we are going to work hard to make sure people get what they need,” Governor Ron DeSantis said during a news briefing on Thursday.

Florida has requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government for all 25 counties that fell under the hurricane warning, he said.

Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said during the news briefing that she would tour the area with DeSantis to assess the damage and that the governor and U.S. President Joe Biden have remained in close contact.