Damage from Hurricane Idalia stretches across states: Maps show the storm's aftermath

Idalia made landfall at about 7:45 a.m. EDT Wednesday near Keaton Beach in Florida's Big Bend, a densely forested and rural region. The storm came ashore southeast of Tallahassee as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. Nearly half of Florida's 67 counties issued at least partial evacuation orders Wednesday morning, urging residents who live in mobile homes and low-lying, flood-prone areas to seek shelter and higher ground as NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft prowled the skies near the storm, collecting important meteorological data.

Here's a look at the storm's impact and strength:

Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Taylor County, Florida, before crossing into Georgia.

Videos show widespread flooding and damage across Idalia's path.

Hundreds of thousands are experiencing power outages in Florida and Georgia.

Idalia briefly reached Category 4 status overnight before weakening to a tropical storm by late Wednesday afternoon. The storm's destructive winds and heavy rains ⁠knocked out power for more than 450,000 customers in Florida and Georgia. By Thursday afternoon, the total number of outages reported in both states shrunk by more than half as power was gradually restored.

In Georgia, more than 260,000 customers were without power Wednesday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. Flooding, high winds and downed trees caused the outages. Duke Energy, one of the major energy companies servicing Florida, reported that more than 60,000 customers in the state were without power and more than 700 active outages Wednesday afternoon, most concentrated just west of Tampa.

Idalia's landfall caused tide levels to surge in Cedar Key and surrounding areas. The Steinhatchee River showed levels well above flood stage.

Mapped NOAA data shows rivers flooding across Florida and Georgia.

As the storm moves away from the shore, it could cause an additional life-threatening hazard: inland flooding. Even after hurricanes lose strength while moving across land, they can bring heavy rain that can overwhelm drainage systems. Portions of Georgia and the Carolinas are at risk of freshwater flooding.

How does storm surge work?

While wind speeds grab our attention as a hurricane approaches, one of the more deadly and destructive results of these systems is storm surge, the surge of water that moves over the shore and up into rivers and bays at landfall. The sudden rise of water topped by already high and powerful waves can sweep homes off their foundations and flood low-lying areas miles inland.

How big was Hurricane Idalia at landfall?

Though the storm was not a perfect circle, it spanned nearly 350 miles across, an area about the size of Colorado, which measures 380 miles across.

Satellite imagery captured Aug. 30-31, by NASA GOES East satellites, shows Idalia breaking up as it moved into the Atlantic. Hurricane Franklin can also be seen in the same imagery as the storms draw closer together.

When did Idalia make landfall? Aug. 30. Most major U.S. hurricanes reach shore in September.

More than half of major hurricanes dating back to 1851 made landfall in September, according to research by Philip Klotzbach at Colorado State University.

How much damage did Idalia cause? $18 billion to $20 billion 

While the extent of Idalia's destruction remains to be seen, an AccuWeather report estimates the storm is already responsible for $18 billion to $20 billion in damage. Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., ranks as the third-costliest hurricane in the country's history. The storm last year resulted in more than $115 billion in damage related to flooding, structural damage and electrical outages. It was the costliest hurricane in Florida's history.

Where is Idalia now? Follow Idalia's path across Florida and Georgia with our hurricane tracker.

See Idalia's effects on live shore cams across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

Still in Idalia's path? Prepare a hurricane kit or go-bag.

A go-bag is usually a small, lightweight backpack you can grab in a moment's notice on your way out the door. It should include personal items, toiletries, food and water.

As the storm weakened after landfall, several Florida counties began lifting evacuation orders. Idalia turned northeast and continued toward parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina by Thursday.

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Javier Zarracina and Shawn J. Sullivan.