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In the final hours before Hurricane Idalia struck Florida, experts say its eye experienced a phenomenon that kept it from further intensifying
In the final hours before Hurricane Idalia struck Florida the storm had grown into a Category 4 beast lurking off the state’s west coast, and the forecast called for it to continue intensifying up until landfall. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft had recorded winds up to 130 mph (215 kph), the National Hurricane Center said in an ominous bulletin at 6 a.m. Wednesday. As the sun rose an hour later, however, there was evidence the hurricane began replacing the wall around its eye — a phenomenon that experts say kept it from further intensifying.
Hurricane Idalia made the record books in so many categories, such as storm surge, landfall location and rapid intensification.
Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts began Thursday, a day after the catastrophic storm ripped through three southeastern states.
Devastating wind and rain is now descending upon Florida with locals sharing the horror they are experiencing from the scene.