Tropical Storm Idalia’s path of destruction through four US states has left behind it shattered towns and shocked residents, even as it missed many urban areas.
People who fled the storm on Wednesday have returned to find major damage in Florida’s remote Big Bend area.
Idalia first hit Florida as a hurricane and then moved on to spark flooding in Georgia and South Carolina and heavy rains in North Carolina before moving out to sea on Thursday.
It is still packing 60mph winds and is expected to hit Bermuda this weekend, bringing the potential for flash floods.
Post-tropical Idalia is moving away from the East Coast & towards Bermuda. Heavy showers may produce flash flooding in areas already saturated from Idalia in FL. A low pressure system will bring cool/unsettled weather in the West & an enhanced monsoon in the Southwest. pic.twitter.com/lDVFQB9LBP
Advertisement— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 1, 2023
The storm first made landfall on Wednesday in Florida, where it razed homes and downed power lines.
It then swung north-east, slamming Georgia, flooding many of South Carolina’s beaches and sending seawater into the streets of downtown Charleston. In North Carolina it poured more than 9in of rain on Whiteville, which flooded many buildings.
Thousands of utility line workers rushed to restore power in Florida but nearly 95,000 customers were still without electricity on Friday morning.
The storm had moved away from the US coast early on Thursday and spun out into the Atlantic, still packing winds of 60mph on Friday.
Meanwhile, residents along the path of destruction returned to pick through piles of rubble that used to be homes.
James Nobles returned to the tiny town of Horseshoe Beach in Florida’s remote Big Bend to find his home had survived the battering winds and rain – but many of his neighbours were not so fortunate.
“The town, I mean, it’s devastated,” Mr Nobles said. “It’s probably 50 or 60 homes here, totally destroyed. I’m a lucky one.”
Residents, most of whom evacuated inland during the storm, helped each other clear debris or collect belongings – high school trophies, photos, records, china. They frequently stopped to hug amid tears.
Six-foot-high watermarks stained whatever walls are still standing, marking the extent of the storm surge.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis toured the area with his wife, Casey, and federal emergency officials.
“I’ve seen a lot of really heart-breaking damage,” he said, noting a church that had been swamped by more than 4ft of water.
Florida officials said there was one hurricane-related death in the Gainesville area.
Unlike previous storms, Idalia did not wreak havoc on major urban centres.
It provided only glancing blows to Tampa Bay and other more populated areas, Mr DeSantis noted.
In contrast, Hurricane Ian last year hit the heavily populated Fort Myers area, leaving 149 dead in the state.
US President Joe Biden spoke to Mr DeSantis and promised whatever federal aid is available. Mr Biden also announced that he will go to Florida on Saturday to see the damage himself.
The president used a news conference at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (Fema) headquarters to send a message to US congress, especially those legislators who are balking at his request for 12 billion dollars (£9.4 billion) in emergency funding to respond to natural disasters.
Mr Biden said “we need this disaster relief request met and we need it in September” after congress returns from recess.
The US leader had pizza delivered to Fema employees who have been working around the clock on Idalia and the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hawaii.
