Strong winds at 125 mph (201 km) are sweeping Florida as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall while some parts of the state have already been flooded, with the waters covering roads and cities.

According to the latest reports, the situation is extremely difficult in the city of Hudson, Pascoe County, which has been flooded and a good number of residents are trapped inside their homes. The area had been evacuated, however some decided to remain in their properties and are now at risk from the water level, which has risen to extremely dangerous levels.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Idalia has made landfall in Big Bend, Florida and is warning of “destructive storm and damaging winds underway.”

According to the National Weather Service, the Idalia arrived in the town of Keaton Beach, in the Big Bend region of Florida, at approximately 07:45 local time (1245 BST). The agency warned that Idalia, now downgraded to a Category 2 storm – hit with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (201 km/h).

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Idalia has maximum sustained winds of 110 mph with higher gusts, making it a Category 2 hurricane. Earlier, the hurricane was rated as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 200 km per hour.

More than 232,000 people are without power in Florida, according to PowerOutage.US. The website, which tracks power outages across the country, shows that most power outages are concentrated in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Almost 4,500 people are staying in Red Cross shelters in the areas affected by the typhoon. At a shelter in Largo, Florida, just north of St. Petersburg, 442 people have taken refuge, according to online data from the Red Cross.

The Red Cross currently operates more than 100 shelters in storm areas.

idalia

Florida Governor Ron DeSandis says that storm surges of 4.8 meters are expected in some areas as strong winds push seawater inland.

The hurricane is expected to cause the most damage in Florida’s Big Bend, which is relatively sparsely populated compared to the rest of Florida. According to local media reports, the area’s counties account for just 3% of the state’s population.

In the meantime, the access to Treasure Island in Pinellas County, Florida;as the storm continues to bear down on the city in Pinellas County, officials said on Twitter.

“No re-entry until further notice even if you have ID or re-entry permits”they said, adding that flooding is expected to continue throughout the day.

The bridges are closed and residents are urged to seek shelter and not wade through potentially dangerous waters “live power lines, sewage, wildlife and dangerous objects”.

28 of Florida’s 67 counties have been ordered to evacuatemostly along the state’s upper Gulf Coast.

Hurricane and thunderstorm warnings have also been issued for the neighboring states of Georgia and South Carolina. All three have declared a state of emergency.

idalia

idalia