Just after sunrise on August 30th 2023, Hurricane Idalia became the first major hurricane on record to hit near Keaton Beach, in Florida’s Big Bend. Idalia brought a devastating storm surge of 8-12 feet to the coastline in Levy, Dixie and Taylor counties. Foundations flooded, and roofs toppled in Idalia’s wake.
Last footage from the Horseshoe Beach Camera before it went out #Idalia https://t.co/AlgJJT4fXJ pic.twitter.com/1gZFeCEqvo
— I'm the weatherman, whatever man (@Weathermansam77) August 30, 2023
According to the National Weather Service Idalia’s storm surge inundations from Keaton Beach to Steinhatchee, Florida were among the highest levels recorded since the 1993 Storm of the Century.
Less than 15 miles from where Idalia made landfall, Debby would strike in nearly the exact same region one year later. Recovery efforts are ongoing in Florida’s Big Bend that has left the Nature Coast battered and bruised from the last several hurricane seasons.
The difference in storm surge between a Category 3 hurricane (Idalia) and a Category 1 (Debby) in Cedar Key, Florida. pic.twitter.com/3FcF0SeWIb
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) August 5, 2024
Digital meteorologist Leslie Hudson takes a look back and Idalia's powerful foot print across the Southeast.
FEMA says they have processed over 5,200 claims stemming from Idalia’s wrath. FEMA helped survivors & communities across 49 counties. Federal grants, flood insurance settlements & low-interest disaster loans to recovering Floridians has exceeded a staggering $840 million.
One year ago, Hurricane #Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida, impacting millions.
— FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) August 30, 2024
FEMA helped survivors & communities across 49 counties.
Federal grants, flood insurance settlements & low-interest disaster loans to recovering Floridians has exceeded $840 million. pic.twitter.com/JA8crjmYUc
Here’s a look at some of the more prominent calling cards Idalia left behind a year ago, and how things are looking today:
A storm chaser remembering the eerie calm before the storm:
I arrived in Tallahassee, Florida 1-year ago today to chase Hurricane #Idalia. I then arrived in Perry, Florida around 7pm EDT to prepare for the morning intercept of the then Category-3 Hurricane. pic.twitter.com/iP8cvygErr
— Hunter Hurley (@hunterhurleywx) August 29, 2024
Boot Hill Stadium in Madison, FL got a new scoreboard after Idalia destroyed the old one.
Man, it’s good to have football back in our lives isn’t it?!
— Jacob Murphey (@jmurpheyWCTV) August 17, 2024
Had the chance to swing by Boot Hill in Madison to check out their new scoreboard after #Idalia destroyed the old one. Then I swung over to Quitman for some #WarOn84 action vs Thomasville! 🏈🏈🏈@WCTV pic.twitter.com/nPKQKA225i
Idalia's storm motion combined with king tides and the shape and bathymetry of Tampa Bay meant that significant storm surge flooding occurred in and around Tampa Bay as well.
A combination of a fire and storm surge impacted this structure in southern Levy County, Florida along the Withlacoochee River
More storm surge flooding around Downtown Tampa
Climatologically, September begins the height of hurricane season. And with several more months ahead of us, there’s no time like the present to be ready for whatever Mother Nature may dish out between now and the end of November.
