Idalia carves trail of destruction in Florida and Georgia

1. Tropical storm Idalia is crossing into Georgia, bringing powerful winds and potentially life-threatening conditions
2. President Joe Biden warns Idalia, which hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, is "still very dangerous"
3. More than 440,000 people are without power in Florida and Georgia
4. There are no confirmed fatalities from the storm – however Florida Highway Patrol has reported the deaths of two drivers in crashes caused by rainy conditions
5. Some areas of Florida have been flooded, and the National Hurricane Center warns storm surge still threatens coastal areas
6. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says Idalia is the strongest storm to hit this part of Florida in more than 100 years
7. You can watch live pictures from around Florida by clicking the play button at the top of this page

Idalia downgraded, but the danger is not yet over

Brandon Livesay

Live reporter

BBC reporter gets first glimpse at devastation in Cedar Key

Idalia hit Florida as a powerful Category 3 hurricane in the early hours of the morning.

The trajectory of the storm meant some of the major population centres avoided the brunt of the winds and storm surges.

However, areas that did face the wrath of the storm have been devastated.

Idalia has since been downgraded to a tropical storm and is currently spinning through Georgia and into the Carolinas. Authorities warn the danger is not over, with flash flooding and storm surges still on the cards.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the focus now was to clear debris and restore power to the hundreds of thousands of homes that have been cut off from the electricity grid.

He also warned any predators that he had seen signs emblazoned with: "you loot, we shoot".

Our live coverage is wrapping up for the day but you can see some of the powerful images captured during the storm here.

And you can read more about Idalia's impact here.

This page was edited by Heather Sharp, Jemma Crew and myself.

Our writers have been Max Matza, Brandon Drenon, Emily Atkinson, Bernd Debusmann Jr, Emily McGarvey, Malu Cursino, Jacqueline Howard, Thomas Mackintosh and Gabriela Pomeroy.

The latest on Tropical Storm Idalia

• After hitting the Florida coast on Wednesday morning as a category 3 hurricane, Idalia has weakened to a tropical storm - but still poses a threat to the US south-east
• A major storm surge triggered by Idalia has led to widespread flooding along Florida's Gulf Coast
• Some 440,000 people in Florida and Georgia still have no electricity, according to Poweroutages.us
• There have been no confirmed deaths from the storm, but Florida Highway Patrol reported the deaths of two drivers in crashes caused by rainy conditions
• Teams from the federal government and other states have been helping local authorities conduct rescues and remove debris

• Flash and river flooding is likely across Georgia and the eastern Carolinas through Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warns

Florida mayor: 'These storms are getting stronger every year'

Florida mayor: 'These storms are getting stronger every year'

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey has just spoken to BBC News about the damages to his city and region from Idalia.

After 17 years in government, he says he has witnessed storms becoming more intense and more damaging each year.

The local utility department increased its workforce "three-fold" by bringing in workers from other states ahead of the storm, he says.

These people are out working through the night to restore power to residents.

He says the "greatest concern" right now is the clean-up.

His bottom line observation: "These storms seem to be getting stronger and more intense every year."

'You loot, we shoot' - DeSantis warns predators

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now giving an update from Perry, a community that has suffered some of the worst of the damage from the storm.

He says many residents heeded advice to evacuate or shelter in place, likely saving many lives.

The current issue, he says, is debris and water on roadways.

"There's a lot of debris. A lot of trees knocked down. A lot of powerlines and trees going over powerlines. There's going to be a lot required to get this all cleaned up and get everything back up and running again," he says.

Some communities are still stranded, due to impassable roads, he continues. He adds that there have been reports in the stranded community of Steinhatchee of "looting".

"We are not going to tolerate any looting in the aftermath of a national disaster. I mean it's just ridiculous you would try to do something like that on the heels of an almost category four storm," he says.

To looters, he reminds them that homeowner have the right to shoot them if they trespass to steal.

"Let me remind looters you never know what you're walking into. People have a right to defend their property."

He adds that he's seen signs saying "you loot we shoot" as he tours the flood damaged area.

Latest updates from US hurricane forecasters

Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center-

• At 17:00EDT (22:00GMT) a storm surge warning and tropical storm warning remains in effect for much of the southeast US
• Coastal and inland flooding is expected in parts of Georgia and South and North Carolina
• Residents in those states should be alert for the possibility of flash flooding in urban areas and tropical storm force winds
• "Although Idalia has lost the designation of a hurricane, it is no less risky for the people in its path," says Jamie Rhone of the National Hurricane Center
• Tornado warnings are also increasing, says Rhone, adding that tonight is not a good night to be driving in these winds

Power outages in Georgia as storm crosses state

The storm is now passing over Georgia after initially making landfall in the Florida Big Bend region of the Gulf Coast.

It's been moving east across the state at around 20mph (32km/h), according to recent reports by weather forecasters.

More than 200,000 customers are without power in Georgia, according to Poweroutages.us.

In the southern Georgia city of Savannah, one of the oldest cities in the US, government offices will remain closed throughout Thursday, local officials say.

Earlier on Tuesday, the city said it was banning tour guiding operations and was considering implementing a night time curfew.

Pondering the damage from behind the bar

Mike Wendling

Reporting from Pasco County, Florida

BBC

Daniel’e Junggust hopes her home is undamaged

Daniel’e Junggust is pouring cold beers for the regulars at Tailgators bar in the coastal town of Weeki Watchi, but her mind is on her home a couple of minutes down the road.

Her ground floor apartment was inundated with water - she fears everything inside is ruined.

“I tried to get as much out beforehand as I possibly could,” she says. She stayed with her mother further inland last night.

Police have set up a checkpoint along the road, and she hasn’t yet been back home.

Like many along this coast, Daniel’e is both counting the damage and her blessings, thankful that friends and family are safe.

“Sometimes the universe takes things away from you,” she muses, “and hopefully you get something back in return.”

'Multiple tornados' touch down in South Carolina

Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who represents South Carolina, says "multiple tornados" have touched down in the state.

The tornados have been seen in the area known as the Lowcountry, the low elevation region along the state's coast.

Video posted on social media shows a car being flipped over by winds in the city of Goose Creek, 30 minutes north of Charleston.

Goose Creek Police Chief LJ Roscoe told WCIV-TV two people were transported to hospital with minor injuries.

BreakingIdalia downgraded to tropical storm

The National Hurricane Center has just announced that Idalia is no longer a hurricane, and is now classified as a tropical storm.

However the risk of flooding, storm surge and strong winds continues across parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, the agency warns.

WATCH: Destruction in Cedar Key after Idalia hits

BBC reporter gets first glimpse at devastation in Cedar Key

We heard a short while earlier from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that a "very significant storm surge" had hit Cedar Key, a city on the northwest coast of the state.

We have since been sent several pictures from the city, which show flattened buildings, tangles of debris and the blasted facades of people's homes.

A homeowning couple, who rode the storm out elsewhere, returned to find their uninsured $100,000 dock and parking pad destroyed.

The woman joked to her husband "well now you have to redo it", when she saw the damage to the parking pad.

Here are some of the images:

BBC

BBC

Dozens rescued in small motorboat, officials say

In St Petersburg Florida, a coastal town in south-west Florida, knee-high flood waters blanketing streets and poured into people's homes.

Fire and rescue workers have spent the morning cruising the streets in a small red motorboat, searching for those in need.

In their single-engine boat, St Petersburg Fire Rescue team said it has so far rescued 75 people.

Despite 26 counties and 1.5 million people being warned by officials to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Idalia's arrival, not everyone did.

'The carpet's toast' - residents assess damaged homes

Mike Wendling

Reporting from Pasco County, Florida

Mike Wendling/ BBC

David Hickman (left) and Brent Berzett (right) fled their home ahead of the hurricane to take refuge on their houseboat

The clean-up begins.

Brent Berzett and David Hickman live just yards from the Gulf Coast in Pasco County.

When the storm got bad in the middle of the night, they sought refuge on their houseboat. It was the storm surge rather than high winds that caused more damage in their neighbourhood.

“I just had a feeling that if we hadn’t, the damage would have been much worse,” David tells us as our team traipses through their sodden living room.

“The carpet’s toast and some of the furniture too,” Brent adds.

They moved from Iowa nine years ago, and they’ve noticed the storms have changed over that time.

“Things just seem to be getting worse,” Brent says.

Mike Wendling/ BBC

Brent Berzett cleans his Pasco County, Florida home after Hurricane Idalia swept through the region

In pictures: Hurricane Idalia damages Florida's infrastructure

Hurricane Idalia is now heading north towards Georgia after making landfall in Florida as a category 3 storm.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall have left debris on roads, flooded roads and interrupted power lines.

Reuters

In Cedar Key, a car is partially submerged as large parts of the region witness flash flooding

Reuters

In Hudson, Florida, residents attempt to travel on a flooded road

Reuters

Trees have fallen on roads due to strong winds, blocking highways, with workers clearing away damage

Cedar Key hit by major storm surge

DeSantis goes on to speak of "very significant storm surge" in Cedar Key, a city of the northwest coast of Florida.

"Clearly the storm surge there was enough to be life-threatening if people didn't take the proper precautions," he says.

But DeSantis says it appears people were well-prepared.

The brief update from the Florida governor is now over, but we expect to hear from him again as the day goes on.

Significant debris needs to be cleared

DeSantis says the bulk of the storm is going through north and central-north Florida, and locals should expect to see a lot more debris than during Hurricane Ian last year.

The governor adds that some of these communities may never have been hit with a major hurricane before, so clearing roads and properties could take extra time.

Warning about scammers and predators

DeSantis: 'There's always people who will try to scam you'

DeSantis says some communities further inland in the state of Florida may not be as well prepared for natural disasters like Hurricane Idalia.

He warns residents to be vigilant to scammers attempting to fulfil services that might not be able to be reimbursed.

DeSantis speaks from hurricane-torn town of Perry

Reuters

Some parts of Florida have been worst hit than others after Hurricane Idalia made landfall earlier today.

The town of Perry in Taylor County is one of them.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is speaking from there now.

You can click the Play button at the top of this page to watch live.

Biden's hurricane update finishes

President Joe Biden has now finished giving his update on the recovery efforts for Hurricane Idalia - during which he also spoke about the impact of the wildfires in Hawaii.

Stick with us as we continue to bring you more updates.

It's not about politics - Biden

Biden is asked if he senses any politics in his conversations with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the hurricane.

Biden says that's not the case.

"I was down there in the last major storm, I spent a lot of time [with DeSantis]," he says, adding: "I think he trusts my judgement and desire to help and I trust him to be able to suggest ideas."

He goes on: "This is not about politics. It's about taking care of the state."

Biden: 'How can we not respond?'

The US president is now taking questions from journalists, and is asked whether Americans can be assured that federal funds will be available for relief efforts in the aftermath of the storm.

President Biden says: "If I can't do that I'm going to point out why," referring to a reluctance of government spending by Republicans.

"How can we not respond, my God," Biden says. "How can we not respond to these needs?"