RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Hurricane Idalia smashed into Florida just to the east of Tallahassee at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, and is now on its way through Georgia.
The hurricane, having previously reached Category 4 status, touched down near Keaton Beach as a Category 3, bringing life-threatening storm surges and rainfall. The National Weather Service (NWS) says it’s possible storm surge could rise as high as 15 feet in some areas.
As of 9 a.m., the storm had been downgraded to a Category 2 but was fierce in its impact across Florida as streets were flooded, boats were unmoored and sent loose at the mercy of the storm, and overall destruction was left in Idalia’s wake.
A fallen tree lies atop the Mayo Cafe and a truck parked outside in Mayo, Fla., after the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) 
HUDSON, FLORIDA – AUGUST 30: In an aerial view, a home smolders after burning as Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Hudson, Florida. Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend area as a Category 3 storm on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 
People kayak past an abandon vehicle in the intersection of Boca Ciega Drive and Pasadena Avenue Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 in St. Pete Beach, Fla., Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday in Florida as a Category 3 storm and unleashed devastation along a wide stretch of the Gulf Coast, submerging homes and vehicles, turning streets into rivers, unmooring small boats and downing power lines in an area that has never before received such a pummeling. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) 
HUDSON, FLORIDA – AUGUST 30: A rescue vehicle drives through a flooded street after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Hudson, Florida. Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida as a Category 3 storm. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 
Members of the Tampa Fire Rescue Dept., remove a street pole after large awnings from an apartment building blew off from winds associated with Hurricane Idalia Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Idalia made landfall earlier this morning along the Big Bend of the state. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) 
TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA – AUGUST 30: People ride an ATV through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Idalia is expected to bring 10 to 20 inches of rain across the panhandle of Florida and into portions of Georgia and southeastern South Carolina. The National Hurricane Center is advising residents throughout the impact area to expect mass power outages.
Flash, urban, and moderate river flooding are expected to have a considerable impact from the Florida Big Bend through central Georgia and South Carolina, and into eastern North Carolina into Thursday.
As of Wednesday morning, around 30 counties in Florida were under some type of evacuation order.
In Virginia
The rain from Idalia will reach Southern Virginia by this evening and possibly slide up to areas along and south of I-64 after midnight, and that rain could last into Thursday morning’s commute.
A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the Outer Banks region Tuesday afternoon.
This is a developing story, check back with 8News for updates.
