Updated Aug 31, 2023 - Energy & Climate

In photos: Hurricane Idalia strikes Southeast

Sareen Habeshian

Makatla Ritchter wades through flood waters after having to evacuate her home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on Aug. 30 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, bringing destruction in its wake.

The big picture: Idalia weakened to a tropical storm later Wednesday, but the National Hurricane Center warned it would bring heavy rains, flooding and other extreme weather hazards across the U.S. Southeast through Thursday.

People work to clear I-10 of fallen trees after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on August 30, 2023 near Madison, Florida. The storm made landfall at Keaton Beach, Florida as category 3 hurricane. — People work to clear I-10 of fallen trees after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on Aug. 30 near Madison, Florida. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

A storm-damaged gas station is seen after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on August 30, 2023 in Perry, Florida. The storm made landfall at Keaton Beach, Florida as a category 3 hurricane — A storm-damaged gas station in Perry, Florida, after Hurricane Idalia swept through. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Donnye Franklin helps a friend try to get the flood waters out of his Explorer Manatee Tour store after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Crystal River, Florida. Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida as a Category 3 storm. — Donnye Franklin helps a friend try to get the flood waters out of his store after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on Aug. 30, 2023 in Crystal River, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

In an aerial view, a home smolders after burning as Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on Aug. 30 in Hudson, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Residents try to cut their way through downed trees to return to their homes following Hurricane Idalia in Steinhatchee, Florida, on Aug. 30. Photo: Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An aerial view shows a vehicle driving along a flooded street in New Port Richey, Florida, on Aug. 30 after Hurricane Idalia made landfall. Photo: Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP via Getty Images

People ride an ATV through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on Aug. 30 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A truck passes through flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on Aug. 30 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A person rides a kayak through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Women walk through a flooded street after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on Aug. 30 in Crystal River, Florida. Photo: Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia in Gulfport, Florida, on Aug. 30. Photo: Juan Manuel Barrero Bueno/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more photos and further details on the storm.

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In photos: Hurricane Idalia strikes Southeast

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