Hurricane Idalia Turns To Category 4 Storm As It Makes Its Way Into Georgia

Hurricane Idalia which rapidly intensified into a major Category 4 storm made its way through Florida into Georgia. The hurricane which made landfall near Florida's Keaton Beach, crossed into Georgia, with top winds of 90 mph.

At least two people lost their lives in Florida as the storm approached rainfall as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol. A man died in Gainesville while driving in extremely rainy conditions, while another expired in Paco County as he lost control of his vehicle.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Idalia is all set to move near or along the coasts of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina late Wednesday or Thursday.

Idalia could move over southern parts of Georgia as a hurricane, and as it nears the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

According to forecasters, areas from the Aucilla River, which leads to the Gulf at Apalachee Bay, to Yankeetown would see the highest storm surges, between 12 and 16 feet.

A post by the fire and rescue department in Cedar Key stated, "A National Ocean Service tide gauge there showed a surge nearly 9 feet higher than the predicted tidal level. We have multiple trees down, and debris in the roads, does not come. We have propane tanks blowing up all over the island."

County officials in Citrus County said, farther south, in more populated areas hit by storm surge, they used airboats and large trucks to rescue around 60 people. There were 3,300 without power. The city of St. Petersburg said 75 people were rescued.

State of emergency has been declared by Governor of Georgia Brian Kemp, and Governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster, freeing up state resources and personnel, including hundreds of National Guard troops.