In the Shore Acres neighborhood of St. Petersburg, Florida, residents face constant flooding threats due to rising sea levels and frequent storms. Many cannot afford to elevate their homes or relocate, leaving them vulnerable to future floods, especially with an active hurricane season predicted.
A flamingo was spotted on Cape Cod, potentially marking the first confirmed sighting of a wild American flamingo in Massachusetts. Experts believe the bird may have been displaced by Hurricane Idalia. The Massachusetts Avian Records Committee will determine if the bird is wild.
Hurricane Idalia caused significant damage to Cedar Key, Florida, but nature-based "living shoreline" projects, created by researchers from the University of Florida, proved to be relatively undamaged. These projects, which mimic nature by using sand, marsh plants, and artificial reefs to encourage the growth of oyster beds offshore, significantly reduced the height and power of the waves reaching the shore during the hurricane. Unlike human-made structures, the living shorelines absorbed and reduced the energy of incoming waves, providing significant protection to roads, buildings, and other structures onshore. The success of these projects highlights the potential of nature-based protection measures in coastal areas.
Heavy rain caused flooding in low-lying and coastal areas around Tampa Bay, leading to closed roads and comparisons to Hurricane Idalia. Videos showed stranded cars on flooded roads in St. Pete Beach, Maderia Beach, and Gulfport. Power outages affected thousands of customers in Pinellas County, with Duke Energy reporting 5,000 outages and TECO reporting 800. Gulfport experienced flooded streets and shops, although the flooding was less severe than during Hurricane Idalia. The Shore Acres neighborhood in St. Petersburg also saw significant flooding.
Duke Energy Florida has filed a proposal with the Florida Public Service Commission to pass on the estimated $91.9 million in storm-related costs from Hurricane Idalia to customers in 2024. To mitigate the impact on customers' monthly bills, Duke Energy also suggested spreading out the costs already being collected for previous storms. If approved, Duke Energy would collect a total of $166.1 million in storm-related costs from customers in 2024. Other utilities have not yet filed proposals to recover Idalia costs.
A saildrone, an unmanned research vehicle, captured dramatic footage of Hurricane Idalia in the Gulf of Mexico, offering valuable insights into the environment rarely seen by humans. The footage could help improve hurricane forecasting, particularly in predicting rapid intensification. Saildrone is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study what happens at the surface where wind meets water. NOAA is currently using 12 unmanned saildrones strategically placed in areas where hurricanes frequently occur. The saildrones provide measurements that other tools cannot, enhancing our understanding of hurricanes and their behavior.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for prioritizing politics over his job after DeSantis declined to meet with President Joe Biden during his visit to survey hurricane damage caused by Hurricane Idalia. Christie, who greeted then-President Barack Obama after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, praised Senator Rick Scott for stepping in to meet with Biden. DeSantis' office cited security preparations and recovery efforts as reasons for not meeting with the president. Christie defended his own actions, stating that his obligation was to the people of New Jersey and that the state was able to rebuild quickly after Hurricane Sandy.
A flamingo has been spotted at Cave Run Lake in Rowan County, Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the sighting and believes the flamingo was displaced from the Yucatan Peninsula during Hurricane Idalia. Flamingo sightings have been reported across the southeast and into Ohio. As a migratory bird, it is expected that the flamingo will eventually work its way back south and reunite with other flamingos before attempting to return to its original location.
MSNBC's "Morning Joe" hosts criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for not meeting with President Biden during his visit to Florida to aid in hurricane relief efforts after Hurricane Idalia. Host Joe Scarborough called DeSantis' decision "strange" and "bush league," emphasizing the importance of working together for the benefit of the state. It was noted that DeSantis had previously met with Biden after natural disasters in Florida, but his team may have wanted to avoid a potentially unfavorable photo op due to his presidential aspirations.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, questions arise about federal funding for rebuilding repeatedly flooded infrastructure, as insurance companies pull out of Gulf states, leaving homeowners and businesses with more risk and fewer options for recovery. Meanwhile, thousands of Burning Man attendees finally leave the festival after being trapped by intense rain and flooding. First lady Jill Biden tests positive for Covid-19, but a new variant may be less contagious than feared. In Maui, 385 people remain unaccounted for following deadly fires, while Hawaii's tourism industry seeks to rebuild. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia to discuss a potential weapons deal for the war in Ukraine.
FEMA has approved individual assistance for residents in Pinellas County, Florida, who suffered losses due to Hurricane Idalia. This makes Pinellas County eligible for assistance along with Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus counties in the Tampa Bay area. Residents can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance through the website, app, or by calling a designated number. Assistance may include financial aid for temporary housing, home repairs, and other hurricane-related expenses. For the latest updates on Hurricane Idalia recovery, visit floridadisaster.org/updates.
This week at NASA, the SpaceX Crew-7 mission successfully launched to the International Space Station, where the four-person crew will conduct research and technology demonstrations for the next six months. External cameras on the space station captured views of Hurricane Idalia as it made landfall in Florida. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data was used to train Artemis II astronauts on lunar exploration, and August 30 marked the forty-year anniversary of Guy Bluford becoming the first African American to fly in space.
Hurricane Idalia has transitioned into a post-tropical system and is currently affecting Bermuda, while Tropical Storm Katia has formed as the 11th named storm of the hurricane season. Another potential tropical system is expected to form off the west coast of Africa and could target the Caribbean. Tropical Storm Gert is still present but is expected to be absorbed by Idalia. The National Hurricane Center gives the new system a 20% chance of forming in the next two days and a 70% chance in the next seven.
Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency physician and popular TikTok influencer, documented the flooding of her St. Petersburg home during Hurricane Idalia, sharing videos with her 1.4 million followers. Martin and her family, along with many neighbors, experienced significant damage to their homes. While some online comments were critical, Martin received an outpouring of support, with her followers raising over $30,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. She plans to use the funds to help her neighbors and friends affected by the flood. Martin intends to raise her house before the next storm season and is grateful for the community's support during this challenging time.
Hurricane Idalia leaves Florida in darkness as power outages persist, causing residents to experience true darkness at night. The storm caused significant damage, including fallen trees and destroyed homes. Mandatory evacuations were issued for coastal communities, but some residents ended up evacuating into the hurricane's path. As the storm passes, residents begin to assess the damage and work on rebuilding. Traffic lights in some areas are restored using generators.