Hurricane Idalia made landfall on the morning of August 30th along the coast of Taylor County Florida near Keaton Beach at approximately 745 am EDT. The hurricane made landfall with estimated sustained winds of 125 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in this portion of Florida.
Every event with a place to put it; 15 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall on the morning of August 30th along the coast of Taylor County Florida near Keaton Beach at approximately 745 am EDT. The hurricane made landfall with estimated sustained winds of 125 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in this portion of Florida. Hurricane Idalia moved inland across the eastern Florida Big Bend and into South Central Georgia during the morning hours. Strong winds caused extensive damage to trees, buildings, and infrastructure along a broad swath stretching west to Tallahassee and east beyond the Suwannee River. Significant and devastating storm surge accompanied the hurricane into the Taylor and Dixie County coasts, where water levels rose considerably, inundating numerous structures along the coast and flooding residences and businesses many miles inland. Significant damage to property and infrastructure was associated with the storm surge that will take a considerable time to rebuild. The peak surge values observed were from Dekle Beach in Taylor County southeastward to Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County. Surge heights in this area along the immediate coast were within the range of 7 to 12 feet above normally dry ground. Lower values of up to 6 feet above normally dry ground were noted south of Horseshoe Beach near the community of Suwannee. It should also be noted the storm made landfall around the time of low tide. Had the storm made landfall 6 hours later, around the time of high tide, peak water level values could have been between 3-4 feet higher. In the process of the high water mark surveys, interviews were conducted with several residents that lived in the area during the Storm of the Century, a non-tropical system that affected this portion of the Florida coastline on March 13, 1993. All of these residents interviewed from Keaton Beach to Horseshoe Beach indicated water levels that rivaled or exceeded those experienced in the 1993 Storm of the Century. Moreover, Dixie County Emergency Management noted that the inland extent of the storm surge from Hurricane Idalia moved much further inland from Horseshoe Beach than observed in The Storm of the Century. One direct fatality occurred in south-central Georgia as a result of the storm.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 30, 8:16 AM EST, 1 hour 44 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
916 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
...New UPDATE...
.UPDATE...
Issued at 914 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
Hurricane Idalia is now a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph
winds. Idalia made landfall as a Cat 3 with 125mph around 7:45AM
EDT near Keaton Beach, FL. Tropical storm to hurricane force winds
are still occuring across the Big Bend region and are expected to
enter into the south-central Georgia counties over the next few
hours. This is still a dangerous situation as hurricane warnings
are still in effect. Have multiple ways to receive warnings due to
the threats of flash flooding and possible tornadoes.
&&
.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 258 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
Hurricane Idalia, now forecast to reach category 4 strength at
landfall, will catastrophically impact the majority of our Apalachee
Bay counties this morning. This is an exceptionally dangerous
situation, especially for our coastal FL Big Bend counties where
storm surge and winds will be at their highest. Conditions are
expected to continue deteriorating through the morning and last
through the majority of the day. If you are still along our
Apalachee Bay coastline, the window to leave is closing fast.
Here is a summary of the expected impacts today.
Storm Surge:
Life threatening storm surge is forecast across our coastal FL Big
Bend with an increase up to 16 feet possible for coastal Taylor,
Jefferson, and Dixie counties. For coastal Wakulla, up to 12 feet is
possible. Lastly, coastal Franklin may see up to 8 feet and up to 5
feet along coastal Gulf county. This does NOT take wave heights on
top of the surge into account, which will also increase the overall
flooding risk. Roads will be washed out and locations may be
rendered inhabitable for an extended period of time.
Wind:
Life threatening winds are expected within our FL Big Bend counties
with potentially catastrophic conditions within close proximity to
the center track of Idalia. Along the coast, the forecast winds will
be equivalent to that of an EF-2 tornado and will destroy poorly
built structures and even cause considerable damage to well-built
structures. Mobile homes will likely be completely destroyed by
winds of this caliber. Additionally, flying projectiles will be
extremely dangerous and contribute to structural damage. Winds will
decrease further inland due to surface friction, though the wind
threat will remain with high-end tropical storm to hurricane force
winds expected to continue far inland.
Heavy Rain:
Heavy rainfall will also be a threat with this system as 5 to 8
inches are expected with isolated higher amounts (up to 12")
possible. Flash flooding is a concern with many road closures with
some weakened or washed out. Driving conditions will become
dangerous.
Tornadoes:
A tornado threat exists across the easternmost section of our CWA,
particularly our eastern FL Big Bend counties and far southern GA
counties. Climatologically, a favorable supercellular environment
tends to exist within the outer rainbands of hurricanes, especially
in the northeast quadrant. Although, they can exist anywhere within
these storms so it is important to stay alert. Scattered tornadoes
greatly hinder the execution of emergency plans and may result in
localized areas of greater damage. Additionally, TC tornadoes lead
to a quite complex and exceptionally dangerous situation when
flooding via storm surge and/or heavy rainfall is present.
When looking at the forecast cone it is important to not focus on
the center line as storm impacts extend far beyond the center and
even outside the cone.
You can also check for updates at the NHC webpage at
www.hurricanes.gov along with hurricane preparedness tips at
www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep.
Conditions will improve by the end of today, and tomorrow should
return to a more typical summer pattern with afternoon chances of
showers and thunderstorms, highest near the coast.
If you were unable to evacuate and are in the path of this storm,
you are in our thoughts today, and we wish everyone the best of
luck. Stay safe out there.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Thursday through Friday night)
Issued at 258 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
With the exit of Idalia, high pressure and dry air will once
again become dominant. Skies will begin to clear with low 90s
expected on Thursday and upper 80s on Friday, an extremely
welcomed and calm regime. Each day may feature some seabreeze
storms with 40-60% PoP's within our FL counties and 20-30% across
our AL and GA counties Thursday. On Friday, PoP's will increase
once again with 50-70% across our FL counties and 30-60% across
our AL and GA counties.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through Tuesday)
Issued at 258 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
Upper ridging will continue building over the area, ushering in
even more dry air thus limiting storms to our coastal regions this
weekend into early next week. High temperatures through the long
term will range from the upper 80s to low 90s with overnight lows
in the upper 60s to low 70s.
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 733 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
Hurricane Idalia will bring dangerously strong winds and IFR to
occasional LIFR conditions in rain and rain bands while
progressing north-northeastward across a portion of the forecast
area. The greatest impacts are expected at VLD, TLH and ABY.
Winds subside and conditions improve overall this afternoon into
the early evening as Idalia lifts well away from the area. /29
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 258 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
At 3AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Idalia was located about 100
miles south of Apalachicola, Florida, and was moving north at 14
mph. Idalia is forecast to move northward and north- northeastward
at an increasing forward speed today. Idalia is expected to
continue strengthening up until it makes landfall. Landfall is
expected along the Big Bend coast early today as a category 4
hurricane. Conditions over the northeast Gulf will continue
deteriorating through the morning and last through the majority of
the day.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 258 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
With hurricane Idalia passing through the region today, RH will
drastically increase with an increase in storms as well. Gusty and
erratic winds with lightning are expected within and near any of
these storms. Dispersions along the FL Big Bend will become quite
high as a result of high transport winds, though the expected rain
in this region will hinder any fire wx concerns.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 320 PM EDT Tue Aug 29 2023
Wet conditions are expected ahead of the approach of Idalia
thanks to a weak boundary interacting with a moist airmass.
Forecast amounts from today through Wednesday night are mostly
4-8" (isolated higher, up to 12") and should focus near the storm
track. Flash flooding is possible near the track and a flood watch
has been issued.
The biggest hydrologic concern is the potential for significant
to life-threatening storm surge, especially across the often
vulnerable coastal Apalachee Bay.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 82 72 91 73 / 100 30 50 40
Panama City 90 76 90 76 / 60 40 60 60
Dothan 84 70 90 71 / 70 20 30 30
Albany 78 71 89 70 / 100 30 20 20
Valdosta 79 71 89 70 / 100 30 30 30
Cross City 85 75 91 74 / 100 50 70 60
Apalachicola 88 77 89 77 / 90 50 70 70
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening for
FLZ014>019-026>029-034-114-115-118-127-128-134.
Tropical Storm Warning for FLZ014>016-026-114.
Hurricane Warning for FLZ017>019-027>029-034-115-118-127-128-
134.
High Rip Current Risk through late Thursday night for FLZ108-112-
114-115.
High Surf Warning until 2 AM EDT /1 AM CDT/ Thursday for FLZ108-
112-114-115.
Storm Surge Warning for FLZ115-118-127-128-134.
GA...Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ125>131-144>148-
156>161.
Tropical Storm Warning for GAZ125>131-144>146-156-157.
Hurricane Warning for GAZ147-148-158>161.
AL...None.
GM...Tropical Storm Warning for GMZ750-752-770.
Hurricane Warning for GMZ730-755-765-772-775.
&&
UPDATE...Montgomery
NEAR TERM...Worster
SHORT TERM...Worster
LONG TERM....Worster
AVIATION...JLH
MARINE...Worster
FIRE WEATHER...Worster
HYDROLOGY...WorsterPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1005 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0922 AM Tropical Cyclone 3 SW I-75 at Exit 22 30.86N 83.39W
08/30/2023 Brooks GA Mesonet
56mph wind gust at Ambient station in
eastern Brooks County.
&&
JPCPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1013 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1011 AM Tropical Cyclone 3 SSW I-75 at Exit 5 30.64N 83.24W
08/30/2023 Lowndes GA Utility Company
Lowndes County Utilities at Grassy Pond
reported a gust of 64 MPH.
&&
rhPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1018 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0900 AM Tropical Cyclone 5 SSE Lee 30.35N 83.27W
08/30/2023 Madison FL Mesonet
Mesonet station 0098W 4.9 SE Lee
(WEATHERSTEM) reported a gust of 80 MPH.
&&
rhPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1044 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1044 AM Tropical Cyclone 1 E Mayo 30.05N 83.17W
08/30/2023 Lafayette FL Dept of Highways
Trees blocking US Highway 27 in Mayo at SE
Industrial Avenue.
&&
JPCPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1048 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0950 AM Tropical Cyclone Aucilla 30.48N 83.76W
08/30/2023 Jefferson FL Mesonet
Mesonet station 0194W Aucilla (WEATHERSTEM)
reported a gust of 58 MPH.
&&
rhPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1056 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1051 AM Tropical Cyclone 1 SW Moody Afb 30.97N 83.20W
08/30/2023 Lowndes GA AWOS
53 knot (61 mph) wind gust at Moody Air
Force Base.
&&
JPCThe Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:00 UTC.
18 flash flood, 12 tropical storm, 3 hurricane (typhoon). Local standard time, as filed.
The road was washed out due to flash flooding near the intersection of Flatswood Lane and Cooper Road.
A portion of Val Del Road was washed out due to flash flooding.
A portion of Highway 41 was washed out due to flash flooding.
The road was washed out due to flash flooding near the intersection of Whitewater Road and Knights Road.
A portion of Scottwood Dr was washed out due to flash flooding.
A portion of Exit 11 of I-75 was washed out due to flash flooding.
Many roads were impassible due to flash flooding in the Valdosta area.
The road was washed out near the intersection of Hunt Road and Inner Perimeter Road due to flash flooding.
A portion of N Barack Obama Blvd was washed out due to flash flooding.
The road was washed out near the intersection of Melody Lane and W Gordon Street due to flash flooding.
A portion of Gornto Road was washed out due to flash flooding.
A portion of Northside Dr was washed out due to flash flooding.
A portion of Jennifer Circle was washed out due to flash flooding.
The road was washed out near the intersection of Bemiss Knights Academy Road and Studstill Road.
A portion of the road near the intersection of Orr Road and Washington Drive was washed out due to flash flooding.
The road was washed out near the intersection of Good Hope Road and Hotchkiss Road.
Approximately 863 residents, or 92% lost power. At least 41 properties were reported damaged. At least 120 trees and power lines came down.
There were 1,127 homes damaged, with 684 being destroyed or receiving major damage. The current combined property damage estimate at $20 million is likely to go higher. Over 1000 calls were received for downed trees and power lines. At the peak, over 90% of residents were without power with 75% still without power 24 hours later. Over 100 roads were closed. I-75 was closed at two locations. Approximately 31,009 residents, or 97% lost power.
Approximately 1333 residents, or 76% lost power. There were multiple road closures due to fallen trees and power lines.
One tree fell on a porch causing an estimated $5,000 in damage. There were 30 trees downed. About 1000 residents lost power and one road was closed.
Approximately 2122 residents, or 23% lost power due to trees and power lines down.
One house suffered $20,000 in damages. 25 trees were downed with scattered power outages lasting up to two hours. There were no road closures.
Approximately 1632 residents, or 58% lost power due to numerous trees and power lines down.
Approximately 872 residents, or 53% lost power due to numerous trees and power lines down.
Approximately 3871 residents, or 84% lost power due to numerous trees and power lines down.
Approximately 1455 residents, or 10% lost power due to trees and power lines down.
Approximately 2551 residents, or 41% lost power due to numerous trees and power lines down.
Approximately 1409 residents, or 42% lost power. 10 power transmission poles were broken. Over 100 trees fell into roads.
The yard of a residence was reported to be completely underwater.
Flash flooding on Highway 520 in both directions resulted in two out of four lanes blocked.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane (Typhoon), Lowndes | 2023-08-30 | Unknown | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, August 2023The 2023 hurricane season
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1130999, 1131000, 1131004, 1131005, 1131006, 1131007, 1131008, 1131009, 1131010, 1131011, 1131012, 1131013, 1131014, 1131015, 1131016, 1131017, 1131870, 1131871, 1131872, 1131873, 1131874, 1131875, 1131876, 1131877, 1131878, 1131879, 1131880, 1131881, 1131882, 1131884, 1131885, 1131001, 1131002.