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.
Damage estimates from Florida include $216.1 million spread over 21,525 insurance claims as of late September. An additional $447.9 million in agricultural losses was estimated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The following 16 counties in Florida were declared disasters by FEMA: Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor.  The agricultural losses were divided in the following ways:  $93.6 million for field crops, $2.6 million for Fruits (non-citrus) and tree nuts, $68.8 million for greenhouse/nurseries, $157.6 million for animals and animal products (includes cattle, poultry, aquaculture and dairy), $60.6 million for vegetables and melons, and $64.7 million for forestry.

Tropical Storm in LIBERTY, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 07:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in GADSDEN, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 07:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 129 residents, or 1% lost power. Debris was reported on Interstate 10 westbound at mile marker 167 and eastbound beyond Exit 192.

Storm Surge/Tide in COASTAL WAKULLA, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 05:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Water levels around the time of high tide resulted in minor to locally low end moderate flooding along coastal areas of Wakulla County, with numerous roads closed and water moving under elevated beachfront homes. This was the combination of an unusually high astronomical tide, or king tide, and the resultant remaining higher water levels in Apalachee Bay in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in COASTAL TAYLOR, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 7.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 13,393 residents, or 97% lost power. Numerous trees and power lines were downed along the north side of U.S. 98 from two to five miles west of Perry. A transformer was lying on the side of the road. In Perry itself, a gas station canopy and pump island were toppled over and a few home and out buildings were damaged.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in COASTAL DIXIE, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Significant power outages occurred across Dixie county due to hurricane force winds from Idalia.  Approximately 9389 residents lost power, or about 88% of customers.

Storm Surge/Tide in COASTAL TAYLOR, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 05:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 20.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

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. Some residents stated that the surge was higher than during The Storm of the Century storm in March 1993. Significant damage occurred along coastal areas.

Storm Surge/Tide in COASTAL DIXIE, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 05:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

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. Some residents stated that the surge was higher than during The Storm of the Century storm in March 1993. Significant damage occurred along coastal areas. Lower values of up to 6 feet above normally dry ground were noted south of Horseshoe Beach near the community of Suwannee. In Horseshoe Beach itself, water surged through stilted homes on Main St. and inland to E. 6th Avenue, including a large metal building system on E. 10th Ave. An entire home (not stilted) was washed into the road at the intersection of W. 9th Ave. and W. 5th St. A pick-up truck was washed into a river near W. 8th Ave. Still water marks in the 4-5 foot range were common on the inland edge of town between 1st and 2nd Avenues. The inland extent of the storm surge was 2-2.5 miles inland from the Horseshoe Beach coastline, just shy of SW 782nd Ave. Roughly a foot of surge was noted at the water tower on SW 789th Ave. High water marks due to wave action on top of surge were measured to 14 ft. Significant storm surge  also was noted in Jena across the Steinhatchee River from Steinhatchee, FL.

Tropical Storm in LEON, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 07:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 54,405 residents, or 35% of the county lost power. There was debris on the following roadways: Oak Ridge Road East to Capital Circle SW, post Road, Taylor Road, Raymond Diehl Road, Baum Road, Wadesboro Road, Mary���s Drive, New Monticello Road, St. Augustine Road, Waukeenah Highway, Hawkins Road, Carter Road, Cap Tram Road, and Ace High Stables Road. Debris was reported on Interstate 10 westbound at mile marker 196 and eastbound at Exits 196 and 199 and at mile marker 213. Debris was also found on U.S. 319 southbound at Interstate 10. FAMU, FSU and TCC all closed with an unknown number of students evacuating. Three homes suffered major damage,  18 had minor damage, and 6 others were affected.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in INLAND TAYLOR, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 7.50M
Crop damage: 67.50M
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 13,393 residents, or 97% lost power. Numerous trees and power lines were downed along the north side of U.S. 98 from two to five miles west of Perry. A transformer was lying on the side of the road. In Perry itself, a gas station canopy and pump island were toppled over and a few home and out buildings were damaged.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in INLAND DIXIE, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 67.50M
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Significant power outages occurred across Dixie county due to hurricane force winds from Idalia.  Approximately 9389 residents lost power, or about 88% of customers.

Tropical Storm in INLAND JEFFERSON, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 67.50M
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread downed trees and power lines occurred. Nearly all of the county���s power infrastructure was destroyed. Numerous roads were closed. Nearly 8669 residents, or 100% lost power. Debris was reported on Interstate 10 westbound at mile markers 218, 227, 230, and before 233 and at Exits 217, 225 and 233; and eastbound at the ramp to Exit 225 and at mile marker 235. At least one home suffered major damage and one home suffered minor damage.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LAFAYETTE, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 07:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 7.50M
Crop damage: 67.50M
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Widespread damage to trees and power lines occurred with 99% of the county losing power.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in MADISON, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 67.50M
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 11,467 residents, or nearly 100% lost power. Nearly all roads were closed at one point. Property damage occurred county-wide.

Storm Surge/Tide in COASTAL JEFFERSON, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 05:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in COASTAL JEFFERSON, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in COASTAL WAKULLA, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 7909 residents, or 45% lost power. Many trees and power lines were downed.  A tree brought down power lines on U.S. 98 near Floyd Grey Road. A tree was down on a pedestrian bridge 5 miles south of Crawfordville along the north side of U.S. 98 near Harvey-Melton Road.

Tropical Storm in INLAND WAKULLA, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 06:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 7909 residents, or 45% lost power. Many trees and power lines were downed.  A tree brought down power lines on U.S. 98 near Floyd Grey Road. A tree was down on a pedestrian bridge 5 miles south of Crawfordville along the north side of U.S. 98 near Harvey-Melton Road.

Tropical Storm in COASTAL FRANKLIN, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 167 residents, or 1.5% lost power due to tropical storm force winds.

Tropical Storm in INLAND FRANKLIN, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-23 04:45:00 to 30-AUG-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Approximately 167 residents, or 1.5% lost power due to tropical storm force winds.