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Florida cleans up after Hurricane Idalia hits 'nature coast'

A truck driver uses a machete to clear I-10 of fallen trees and branches near Madison, Florida, after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on Wednesday.
A truck driver uses a machete to clear I-10 of fallen trees and branches near Madison, Florida, after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on Wednesday.

Hurricane Idalia hit Florida’s “nature coast” on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, submerginghomesand vehicles and turning streets into rivers. The stormcame ashore in the rural Big Bend region,where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula. 

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia an “unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through that area. And the state is still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian.

President Biden urged residentsto“remain vigilant” on Wednesday as Idalia hit Georgia and was expected to threaten the Carolinas as a tropical storm. Biden pledged the federal government would be there to helpstatesrecover.

Copyright 2023 WAMU 88.5

Maya Garg