A state of emergency was declared Monday for the state and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire coast of the state, Cooper said.
Roy Cooper urged residents to stock up on supplies and stay off flooded roads when Hurricane Idalia hits the area with heavy rainfall and localized flooding. Also, there have been reports of people looting in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Steinhatchee, a village in hard-hit Taylor County, DeSantis said Wednesday. About 4,000 to 6,000 homes were damaged in Florida's Pasco County during the storm, according to Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa. Florida’s biggest concern following Hurricane Idalia is people who do not have power, according to Kevin Guthrie, the state's director of emergency management. A 15-mile stretch of Interstate 10 in Madison County remains closed, although the department of transportation is working to have it re-opened tonight, Florida Gov. Florida: About 150 residents were rescued from flooded neighborhoods in Pasco County as Hurricane Idalia moved through Florida, according to an official. Some areas of Florida saw more than 9 inches of rain and winds up to 85 mph, according to preliminary reports.
And government offices for the city of Savannah will remain closed Thursday due to the weather, the city announced in a news release Wednesday. All flights out of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport have been canceled for the rest of Wednesday, the airport posted on social media.