FL/GA/SC/NC - Hurricane Idalia, Aug 2023

[EllaMinnowP]

Just saw footage from Cedar Key.
Flooded nearly to the top of a stop sign, with waves completely covering it intermittently.

Eta: I think they just said the footage I’m referencing is from Keaton Beach. I’m personally not familiar with the place.

 

[EllaMinnowP]

Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida as Category 3 storm with winds of 125 mph.

Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida as Category 3 storm with winds of 125 mph

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area early Wednesday morning.

www.wesh.com

 

[meanmaryjean]

I went outside to take a pic of the huge branch that fell on my house and was getting pelted by pinecone missiles so beat a retreat. (This is only the first of three larger branches that have fallen since. My entire back yard is now fallen large branches. Thankfully- I have a metal roof) For reference- I am 65 miles inland.

 

[kaen]

Be safe all. The information on the destruction coming in is devastating.

 

[nao]

Most of the stormchasers were centred around Perry FL. They are starting to spread out. Lots of flooding, trees down, power lines down, some places lost their roofs. But not as bad as was expected according to chasers. There are about 7 chasers live streaming at the moment.
Livestormchasing.com

 

[Lexiintoronto]

I understand that for some good reasons some choose to stay (and some have no choice). And some freeze. But if you’re in a place that is almost certain to be washed out and inaccessible you have to try to go. The police are trying to get them to leave.

One resident:
“Despite the dire warning, some residents, like Michael Bobbitt, said they're staying put.

"I have a house on a high elevation sitting on top of a hill and I have a second floor and I have a boat tied up and ready to go," Bobbitt said. "When the streets become waterways, I’m going to get out and about to see who I can get to to help."”

Despite evacuation order, some residents of Florida's Cedar Key riding out Hurricane Idalia

Despite an evacuation order and warnings of potentially deadly flooding, some residents of Florida’s Cedar Key said they planned to ride out Hurricane Idalia.

www.nbcmiami.com

He has a lot of items in his yard and porch that need to be cleared before this hits, maybe he is in denial. And his house has a lot of trees very close to it. I hope they convinced him to leave.
View attachment 443674

Still photo from NBC story linked in PayrollNerd’s post.

Last update I could find on the Cedar Key resident Michael Bobbitt who stayed despite the evacuation orders:

“In the vulnerable island city of Cedar Key, a water level record was shattered amid 8 to 9 feet of storm surge. And the water was still rising fast – predicted to hurl seawater as high as halfway up the second floor of an average building.

Even before landfall, the city looked “almost apocalyptic,” resident Michael Bobbitt said early Wednesday. Hours later, the disastrous storm surge had overwhelmed it.

“We’re effectively cut off from the world now,” Bobbit said. “It’s going to get a lot worse, and I’m really fearful for what we’re going to find in some of the low-lying areas and some of our older, more infirm citizens today.””

Deadly Tropical Storm Idalia floods parts of South Carolina, including Charleston, after pummeling Florida | CNN

Idalia weakened to a tropical storm Wednesday evening as it dumped heavy rain, unleashed strong winds and knocked out power in parts of southern Georgia and the Carolinas, just hours after pummeling Florida’s west coast and inundating communities there with floodwater.

amp.cnn.com

 

[PayrollNerd]

Last update I could find on the Cedar Key resident Michael Bobbitt who stayed despite the evacuation orders:

“In the vulnerable island city of Cedar Key, a water level record was shattered amid 8 to 9 feet of storm surge. And the water was still rising fast – predicted to hurl seawater as high as halfway up the second floor of an average building.

Even before landfall, the city looked “almost apocalyptic,” resident Michael Bobbitt said early Wednesday. Hours later, the disastrous storm surge had overwhelmed it.

“We’re effectively cut off from the world now,” Bobbit said. “It’s going to get a lot worse, and I’m really fearful for what we’re going to find in some of the low-lying areas and some of our older, more infirm citizens today.””

Deadly Tropical Storm Idalia floods parts of South Carolina, including Charleston, after pummeling Florida | CNN

Idalia weakened to a tropical storm Wednesday evening as it dumped heavy rain, unleashed strong winds and knocked out power in parts of southern Georgia and the Carolinas, just hours after pummeling Florida’s west coast and inundating communities there with floodwater.

amp.cnn.com

That dude really wants to be the hero. But, he can't even save himself. JMO I'd bet his house isn't even habitable and all that debris around it is floating.

When the water comes in, it goes back out and takes lots of debris with it. Hopefully there aren't many bodies in that debris.

 

[EllaMinnowP]

That dude really wants to be the hero. But, he can't even save himself. JMO I'd bet his house isn't even habitable and all that debris around it is floating.

When the water comes in, it goes back out and takes lots of debris with it. Hopefully there aren't many bodies in that debris.

Think he can still do something like this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1696856623388426576

 

[nao]

Tornado sirens just went off in Live Oak FL. But lots of power issues going on so could of been a glitch, chasers live streams keep cutting out. I am in Canada

 

[EllaMinnowP]

No link ~ So MOO ~
Idalia is a Cat 2 now.

 

[EllaMinnowP]

Think he can still do something like this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1696856623388426576

I noticed those guys didn’t stop to chat. I’m not sure they were trying to get any fame, nor lighten the mood. Imo, they were doing their best to get away.

 

[realanastasia]

Ok, I have to force myself to stop watching the Gulfport livecam—I’m gonna concuss myself by banging my head against the desk every time I watch folks cassssssuuuuuaaaaallly strolling through 2 ft of water (im guessing) down Beach Blvd. Just saw two adults walking a CHILD through there—all the folks I have seen are barelegged/barefoot or shod in flip flops. Do people not realize how dirty and dangerous that is?!

Hope all here have made it through/are making it through the storm relatively unscathed!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Ok, I have to force myself to stop watching the Gulfport livecam—I’m gonna concuss myself by banging my head against the desk every time I watch folks cassssssuuuuuaaaaallly strolling through 2 ft of water (im guessing) down Beach Blvd. Just saw two adults walking a CHILD through there—all the folks I have seen are barelegged/barefoot or shod in flip flops. Do people not realize how dirty and dangerous that is?!

Hope all here have made it through/are making it through the storm relatively unscathed!

There's a reason they try to get the word out to not walk in the water. Flesh eating bacteria is a real thing. Being electrocuted is a real thing. Being bitten by something, like a snake is a real thing.

If you don't have chest high waders on, don't go in.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I went outside to take a pic of the huge branch that fell on my house and was getting pelted by pinecone missiles so beat a retreat. (This is only the first of three larger branches that have fallen since. My entire back yard is now fallen large branches. Thankfully- I have a metal roof) For reference- I am 65 miles inland.
View attachment 443792

Glad to see you checked in. I was thinking of you overnight. Otherwise you're unscathed? Be safe when dealing with those trees if you have to remove them yourself.

I had to use my sawsall on the branches last year, just to cut them to size for the county pickup. Then they had to be tied into piles and put at the curb. Thankfully 2 friends came to help without even being asked.

 

[mickey2942]

Stay safe peeps!

 

[branmuffin]

Ok, I have to force myself to stop watching the Gulfport livecam—I’m gonna concuss myself by banging my head against the desk every time I watch folks cassssssuuuuuaaaaallly strolling through 2 ft of water (im guessing) down Beach Blvd. Just saw two adults walking a CHILD through there—all the folks I have seen are barelegged/barefoot or shod in flip flops. Do people not realize how dirty and dangerous that is?!

Hope all here have made it through/are making it through the storm relatively unscathed!

At least the water is receding a bit. It'll be worse when high tide comes in again, though. I can't believe that yellow Kia Soul is still sitting in the same place. Did anyone see the snakes in the water around 2 am? I felt like I was watching one of those teenage horror flicks where they're walking into a house with a homicidal maniac saying, "this looks like a safe space to hide!" I don't think those snakes were water moccasins, maybe rat snakes and smaller non venomous snakes. But still. And I'm not the least scared of snakes, I just like to know where they are.

 

[deadfoot13]

Sadly, The Ding Darling Wildlife Sanctuary on Sanibel Island took major damage, both the facilities and the grounds. I agree it is a great and unique treasure of the Island. In addition to the immediate damage from Ian, there is residual damage from the storm surge that might take years to recover.

#DingStrong

#DingStrong

dingdarlingsociety.org

There are two different types of water generated from a strong hurricane. Rainfall (freshwater)from the storm itself and Storm Surge (saltwater) displaced ocean water forced onshore quickly from the power and intensity of the storm. While the Hurricane rainfall is damaging, it is the magnitude and speed of the salty Storm Surge that can be deadly and leave lasting effects. Storm Surge is largely influenced by the overall (outside)diameter of the Hurricane, Hurricane Category (1-5) and the geography around the land it impacts. Most of Sanibel is about 3.5 feet above sea level. During Ian, Sanibel was entirely covered by salty Storm Surge for many hours.

The rainfall will eventually just drain off. The effect of the saltwater surge lasts much longer. What were once freshwater rivers, lakes and low lying marsh areas are now tainted by saltwater. This has a significant effect on the flora and fauna that were native to the area.

The good news is that the Sanctuary will eventually recover.

I just realized you asked me for the time and I built you a clock!

Prayers for everyone in the path of Idalia

I appreciate the information, those of us on the outside have a tough time understanding how "a little rain and wind" really impacts things, especially on a long-term scale. Our only perspective is Jim Cantore leaning into the wind and holding his hat, and we think the sun will come out and paradise immediately returns, maybe a little muddy but none the worse for wear.

Keeping everyone in my good thoughts during this storm. You guys are one tough bunch down there!! Up here in NY we happily drive 300 miles through raging blizzards and various "hold my beer" situations, but you guys do the equivalent while dealing with some scary critters and water that destroys things in a multitude of ways.

Stay safe!!

 

[lonetraveler]

At least the water is receding a bit. It'll be worse when high tide comes in again, though. I can't believe that yellow Kia Soul is still sitting in the same place. Did anyone see the snakes in the water around 2 am? I felt like I was watching one of those teenage horror flicks where they're walking into a house with a homicidal maniac saying, "this looks like a safe space to hide!" I don't think those snakes were water moccasins, maybe rat snakes and smaller non venomous snakes. But still. And I'm not the least scared of snakes, I just like to know where they are.

There will always be those who can't help themselves and will get out and drive around in the flood and walk outside in sewage filled water and wildlife.

 

[nao]

Moo.. I have been watching live streams since last nite. There are alot of people driving around..but they are packing chain saws, tow ropes and alot of gasoline. Many of the gas stations are not open. Most folks out there seem to be just cleaning roads, checking on people who are in heavy flood areas and people with damaged houses....moo

 

[JerseyGirl]

https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article278746949.html

https://twitter.com/x/status/1696844467829973031