TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Idalia roared ashore as a major Category 3 hurricane Wednesday morning in Florida's Big Bend region.
In the hours since then, outer rainbands have continued to push their way into the Tampa Bay area. Multiple communities have reported ongoing issues with storm surge and high tide flooding.
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See below for a timeline of events on Wednesday:
8:30 p.m. New Port Richey Police Department and New Port Richey Fire Department share that they rescued more than 100 people from their homes during today's storm surge.
New Port Richey first responders respond to Hurricane Idalia
8 p.m. Casey Key remains under a boil water advisory as residents begin returning to their homes on the barrier island.
7:19 p.m. Duke Energy plans to restore power to 95% of customers affected by Hurricane Idalia by tonight, with the exception of those in the hardest hit areas.
6 p.m. Gov. DeSantis provided an update on the state's response to impacts from Hurricane Idalia. He said the number of people without power was declining and the state of Florida did not have a fuel shortage. He also mentioned that clean-up crews were out clearing roadways and all state bridges were now reopened.
The governor said there has been one unconfirmed death and that law enforcement is currently investigating to see if it has any connection to Idalia. There are currently no missing person reports in connection to Idalia.
5 p.m. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and other city officials held a news conference to address how the city fared following Hurricane Idalia. Castor said there have been no reported injuries and the city would resume normal business hours starting Thursday.
She said shelters are scheduled to close Wednesday night and schools are planning to resume Thursday morning. She also announced that storm debris is scheduled to be picked up on Sept. 5
"We are back open now. We are very, very fortunate that we didn't sustain any major damage to our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those individuals that took a direct hit from this hurricane," Castor said.
4:33 p.m. All Hillsborough County Public Schools and district offices will reopen on Thursday.
4:23 p.m. Hillsborough County will lift its evacuation order for Zone A at 5 p.m. People are urged to pay attention to the road and not drive through standing water.
4:06 p.m. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has reopened to traffic — all major Tampa Bay bridges have reopened.
3:56 p.m. The eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Tampa have reopened to traffic.
3:56 p.m. Hernando County schools and district offices will reopen Thursday.
3:11 p.m. More than 1,300 people took shelter in Hillsborough County ahead of Hurricane Idalia, the sheriff's office says.
3:06 p.m. 10 Tampa Bay reporter Miguel Octavio reports the Ringling Causeway Bridge in Sarasota is only partially open.
2:59 p.m. The Howard Frankland Bridge has reopened to traffic.
The Skyway Bridge and the eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway remain closed.
2:28 p.m. Floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia overtake Shore Boulevard in Gulfport.
1:44 p.m. Bridge access to the barrier islands in Pinellas County is expected to remain closed through at least this evening because of ongoing flooding caused by storm surge and high tides.
The county says search and rescue operations to help people from flooded areas have been ongoing in Zone A.
12:42 p.m. Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis shares photos of the 100-year-old oak tree that fell on the governor's mansion in Tallahassee.
12:15 p.m. Tampa International Airport will open to arriving flights at 4 p.m. today. Leaders say the airport sustained minimal damage from the storm.
Departing flights and normal operations will resume early Thursday morning.
12:13 p.m. Be careful of those floodwaters! 10 Tampa Bay reporter Emerald Morrow shared a photo of a rattlesnake spotted in the Weeki Wachee area.
12:11 p.m. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport will reopen as planned at 3 p.m.
11:40 a.m. The U.S. Postal Service says its Florida 2 District has stopped mail delivery and retail operations for the time being due to impacts from Hurricane Idalia. You can find a list of affected mail locations here.
10:43 a.m. The City of North Port says it is resuming trash and recycling impacts. However, collections are delayed by a day due to Idalia's impacts. This means Tuesday's route will resume Wednesday and Wednesday's collection will take place on Thursday.
10:30 a.m. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch says the city experienced 4-5 feet of storm surge. Given the high water, the Snell Isle Bridge and 40th Avenue Bridge are closed.
People are asked to stay off the roads and avoid contact with flood waters if possible.
The highest impact of storm surge is anticipated around 2 p.m.
9:55 a.m. Crews at Tampa International Airport are assessing storm damage and hope to make an update later Wednesday regarding opening plans.
In a statement, the airport said, in part: "The airport did well. At this time, we have some water on the south end of our airfield. It’s outside the safety area, so it’s not impacting our runways."
9:38 a.m. The St. Pete Pier closed to the public due to high water. Northeast Bayshore Drive.
9:35 a.m. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned residents the county hasn't seen the worst of Hurricane Idalia's effects, even if it's no longer near the Tampa Bay area. Water levels will reach maximum levels after 11 a.m. during high tide and won't clear until 3 p.m. Some calls for rescues from residences at beaches in Madeira, Tarpon Springs, and Palm Harbor.
People who need help should call 911. There has been water intrusion on businesses and residences and it's going to get worse, the sheriff said.
Access to the Gulf beaches is shut down, so everyone should stay away from the west side of the county for the time being. Water is still the most significant and impactful factor during this severe weather. Water and sand will come up on roads, making them impassible. People won't be able to get around, won't be able to drive.
9:07 a.m. A tornado warning has been issued for Pasco County until 9:30 a.m.
8:40 a.m. Due to widespread and increasing road flooding, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will continue to suspend all service for Wednesday, Aug. 30.
8:39 a.m. Several areas of Citrus County are already heavily flooded. High tide isn't expected until around 4:30 p.m. Leaders urge people to remain inside and shelter in place.
8:23 a.m. Pasco County leaders urge residents to continue to shelter in place as dangerous storm surge lingers after Idalia.
8:02 a.m. Hernando County Emergency Management in coordination with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office has ordered no access to all residential areas west of US 19 due to rapidly rising storm surge.
8:01 a.m. St. Petersburg leaders provided an update from overnight:
- Idaila was predominantly a water event.
- We are seeing about four feet of storm surge around St. Pete. Low lying areas are reporting significant flooding.
- The Howard Frankland, Skyway, and Gandy Bridges are closed. Bridges to the beaches are closed.
- Three downed trees were reported (so far as of 8 a.m.) and several downed power lines.
- Three traffic lights are out.
- No issues with City utilities.
What residents need to do now:
- Please stay off the roads and avoid contact with flood waters.
- If there is water in your home, stay out of any room where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords.
7:45 a.m.: Hurricane Idalia officially makes landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Keaton Beach.
6:55 a.m.: All barrier islands have been closed to citizens, including residents with permits.
The barrier islands with no access include:
- Belleair Beach
- Belleair Shore
- Clearwater
- Dunedin Causeway/ Honeymoon Island
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Indian Shores
- Madeira Beach
- North Redington Beach
- Redington Beach
- Redington Shores
- St. Pete Beach
- Tierra Verde
- Treasure Island
There is no re-entry until further notice. All bridges have also been closed with the exception of Gandy Bridge.
6:38 a.m.: U.S. 41 from Fruitville Road to Main Street in Sarasota has been closed because of flooding.
6:20 a.m.: Florida Highway Patrol leaders give an update on ongoing bridge closures across Tampa Bay, which include:
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge is closed to all traffic as sustained wind speeds are now in excess of 50 mph.
- Northbound lanes of Howard Frankland Bridge are shut down to all traffic because of storm surge and flooding.
- Eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway are closed because of storm surge and flooding.
"Everyone is encouraged to remain sheltered and stay off the highways at this time," leaders explain.
6:04 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for parts of Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties until 6:30 a.m. This was extended until 6:45 a.m.
5:45 a.m.: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says access to certain barrier islands is now closed to everyone, including residents. The following islands are no longer accessible:
Belleair Beach
Belleair Shore
Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Shores
Madeira Beach
North Redington Beach
Redington Beach
Redington Shores
St. Pete Beach
Tierra Verde
Treasure Island
"Updates will be provided when there are changes to the barrier island closures," the sheriff's office said.
5:30 a.m.: Clearwater officials say all access to Clearwater Beach is now closed, including to those with barrier access permits. People can leave the beach, but they cannot get there "via Memorial Causeway or Sand Key." Officials say they are seeing flooding along the beach areas and elsewhere across the city.
5:08 a.m.: Flood warning now in effect Wednesday morning for Alafia River in Riverview, near U.S. Route 301.
5 a.m.: Hurricane Idalia has rapidly intensified again to reach Category 4 strength as it barrels toward Florida's Gulf Coast.
4:25 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Citrus, Hernando, Polk and Hardee counties. Polk and Hardee counties' warnings are set to expire at 4:45 a.m. and Citrus and Hernando counties' warnings are set to expire at 5 a.m.
3:18 a.m.: Venice leaders show roof damage at Troll Music from Idalia. Venice Public Works is lending a helping hand in clearing the roadway.
3:07 a.m.: The Howard Frankland Bridge is shut down to all traffic.
3:06 a.m.: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is closed to all traffic as sustained wind speeds are now in excess of 50 mph.
2:31 a.m.: Bradenton Police Department announced Palma Sola Causeway is closed because of water over the road.
2:15 a.m.: Areas close to the Pinellas County coastline are flooding due to impacts from Hurricane Idalia.
"Most of Gulf Blvd in Treasure Island is becoming flooded. Please do NOT drive through flooded roadways," Treasure Island officials tweeted.
"A significant amount of water is coming onshore in Madeira Beach. Deputies are going to begin closing portions of Gulf Boulevard between 129th Avenue and 150th Avenue," Pinellas County Sheriff's Office tweeted.
1:40 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties until 2 a.m. It has since expired.
1:30 a.m.: Authorities are shutting down access to John's Pass as sand and water are now covering the road.
12:30 a.m.: Troy Dent sent in photos of what it looks like in Manatee County as Hurricane Idalia treks closer to Florida's west coast.
