"Hurricane Idalia: Power Restoration and Devastation in Florida Communities"

Recovery efforts in Florida are focused on restoring power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses after Hurricane Idalia caused record storm surge and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands. The Big Bend region, which bore the brunt of the storm, is facing sweltering heat and limited access to clean water. The US Army Corps of Engineers is on standby to assist with power restoration, while some areas could see additional rainfall that may impede recovery efforts. Despite the destruction caused by Idalia, the death toll and extent of damage in Florida remain unclear, but officials credit accurate forecasts and evacuation warnings for the relatively low number of casualties.