Devastation Unleashed: Hurricane Idalia's Wrath on Tampa Bay

Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm in Florida's Big Bend region, causing flooding and storm surge in the Tampa Bay area. Areas such as Ruskin, Riverview, Pine Island, and Shell Point experienced flooding, while Crystal Beach, Westwinds, and Indian Bluff Island were evacuated. Roads and bridges were flooded in Sarasota, Clearwater Beach was closed, and Venice saw roof damage and debris. Residents lined their homes with sandbags in Hernando County, and traffic congestion was reported on highways. Stay updated on Idalia's impact through WFLA's 24/7 coverage.