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Spring storms prompt tornado watches and warnings across the U.S. days before the anniversary of the "worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history."

Idalia crashed ashore as a high-end Category 3 hurricane near Keaton Beach, Florida, at 7:45 a.m. EDT Wednesday, packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. The potent hurricane unleashed a fierce storm surge along Florida's Gulf Coast before it carved a path of destruction across northern Florida and southern Georgia. Idalia gradually lost wind intensity as it moved over land and was downgraded into a tropical storm over southeastern Georgia by 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday evening. Two men were killed

The deadly Category 3 hurricane hit along the coast of the Florida Big Bend near Keaton Beach about 7:45 a.m. local time, posing an immediate threat to lives and properties with 125 mph winds and significant flooding.

Raging Hurricane Idalia officially made an unprecedented and historic landfall Wednesday along Florida's Gulf Coast, blasting destructive winds, heavy rainfall and a catastrophic storm surge.

Florida’s Big Bend took a direct strike from Hurricane Idalia Wednesday -- the first time a major hurricane made landfall there in 125 years -- and it left a trail of destruction behind.