Hurricane Idalia live updates: Jacksonville's Memorial Park suffers storm damage

Gary T. Mills, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
Updated ·14 min read
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With sustained winds at 125 mph, Hurricane Idalia's eye made landfall as a Category 3 storm at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday along the coast of Florida's Big Bend area near Keaton Beach. By 11 a.m., the storm's sustained winds had fallen to 90 mph as it began its trek across Southeast Georgia, downgrading it to a Category 1 storm.

Jacksonville and Northeast Florida remain under a Tropical Storm Warning, with tropical storm-force winds expected in the area this morning.

Public schools across Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau Counties are closed today. Other educational institutions and government offices as well as some businesses, too, will be closed.

Key resources:

'Very, very fortunate': Duval County misses brunt of Hurricane Idalia

As Hurricane Idalia passed Florida, damages in Jacksonville remained minimal after the storm battered the state’s Big Bend. - Hanna Holthaus

As Idalia departs the scene, here's what Northeast Florida's reopening looks like

With Hurricane Idalia now beyond Northeast Florida, schools and offices that closed before the storm are now assessing when to re-open. The Times-Union is tracking them here.  - Beth Reese Cravey

8 p.m. National Hurricane Center advisory: Idalia still weakening with 65 mph winds

Now on land for about 12 hours, Idalia is no longer a hurricane but continues to cause significant disruption with 65 mph winds. The center of the storm is about 60 miles west of Charleston, S.C., with winds of tropical storm force extending some 205 miles. Here are the key numbers:

  • Position of center: 32.7 N, 80.9 W

  • Movement: Northeast at 21 mph

  • Minimum central pressure: 985 mb

In addition, Northeast Florida's Tropical Storm Warning, up for more than 24 hours now, is discontinued. The National Hurricane Center ended the warning between the Flagler-Volusia county line and Altamaha Sound in Georgia.

7:30 p.m. power outage update: Crews continue restoring power in Jacksonville

More good news as nightfall nears. As of 7:30 p.m., JEA reports 4,072 power outages from Hurricane Idalia among its customers, a number that continues to decrease.

Idalia around Florida: Little damage reported in Gainesville as hurricane passes north of Alachua County

Alachua County was largely spared Wednesday from the wrath of Hurricane Idalia thanks to the monster storm's slight shift west as the week progressed. - Alan Festo, Gainesville Sun

6:20 p.m. power outage update

JEA continues to make progress in power restoration across the Jacksonville area. The utility reported 5,778 customers without power, after that figure exceeded 17,000 at one point earlier Wednesday.

Nassau County schools to reopen Thursday

North of Jacksonville, the Nassau County School District is also returning to class on Thursday. The district announced that classes will resume countywide tomorrow morning, following similar decisions in Clay and St. Johns counties. Duval County plans to remain closed Thursday.

Six years after Irma destroyed Memorial Park's balustrades, Hurricane Idalia does it again

Churned up then whipped by Hurricane Idalia's winds, pounding waves from the St. Johns River demolished the iconic concrete balustrades at Memorial Park in the city's Riverside waterfront neighborhood Wednesday. - Teresa Stepzinski and Hanna Holthaus

Jacksonville International Airport: Flights to resume tonight after Hurricane Idalia

Good news for air travelers in Northeast Florida. Jacksonville International Airport announced that it will begin receiving incoming flights Wednesday evening, with normal operations expected to resume Thursday.

Idalia around Florida: Record Alafia River flooding swamps Hillsborough County neighborhood

Pam Marshall stood on her back porch, marveling at the brackish flood waters that had turned her backyard into a pond. The 65-year-old retiree, who has lived on Park Drive in the Hillsborough County community of Riverview for more than a decade, said she’d never experienced anything like it. - Dan Glaun, Naples Daily News

5 p.m. National Hurricane Center update: Idalia downgraded to tropical storm

After about nine hours over land, Idalia is now back at tropical storm status in the National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. advisory, with sustained winds of 70 mph. Here are the key statistics.

  • Position of center: 32.2 N, 81.7 W

  • Movement: Northeast at 21 mph

  • Minimum central pressure: 984 mb

The Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Northeast Florida, and the Hurricane Warning for portions of the Georgia coast is now a Tropical Storm Warning.

St. Johns County schools will resume normal operations Thursday

Like Clay County, the St. Johns County School District also announced that it will reopen Thursday following Hurricane Idalia. Duval County Public Schools, however, remain closed Thursday.

Clay County schools to reopen Thursday

With Hurricane Idalia moving away, Clay County District Schools announced that schools will reopen Thursday. The district said all facilities and schools received "positive reports" from assessments today. Shelters in the county close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

See Hurricane Idalia's effects on Jacksonville

The Times-Union's photo staff captured the scenes as Hurricane Idalia passed northwest of the First Coast on Wednesday.

Historic oak falls on Florida Governor's Mansion; DeSantis, family unhurt

While overseeing Florida’s response to Hurricane Idalia at the state emergency operations center, Gov. Ron DeSantis received word from First Lady Casey DeSantis that the storm split in half a century oak tree in the front yard of the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee. - James Call, Tallahassee Democrat

Cancellations mount at Jacksonville International Airport

While Hurricane Idalia's damage has been limited in Jacksonville, the storm's disruption continues. Most departures and arrivals through the afternoon and evening at Jacksonville International Airport are listed as canceled. The airport has recorded gusts as high as 59 mph during the afternoon.

Tracking Idalia: Forecast from WeatherTiger as hurricane moves over land

Here's where you can continue to follow Hurricane Idalia's movement over Southeast Georgia.

View from Tallahassee: A 'meteorological sneeze' separates fortune from utter ruin

Tallahassee, which was bracing for a direct hit from Idalia, managed to escape widespread destruction as the hurricane wobbled east before slamming into the Taylor County coast. - Jeff Burlew, Elena Barrera and Ana Goñi-Lessan, Tallahassee Democrat

3:15 p.m. power outage update: More than 11,000 JEA customers without power

Power outages have begun to climb upward again in Jacksonville, with 11,871 customers without power reported as of 3:15 p.m. Clay Electric is also reporting numerous outages: 17,897 in Columbia County, 2,167 in Clay County and 1,989 in Union County.

DeSantis: State emergency response team active for Hurricane Idalia relief

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida's state emergency response team is beginning relief efforts as soon as conditions permit following Hurricane Idalia's Wednesday landfall. Among resources ready for deployment: more than 100 pallets of Meals Ready to Eat, nearly 500 pallets of bottled water, and more than 20 pallets of tarps. The Florida National Guard has also been activated.

VIDEO: Hurricane Idalia damages recently-rebuilt Memorial Park balustrade

Only replaced last year, the balustrade at Riverside's Memorial Park along the St. Johns River has taken a beating from Hurricane Idalia. Videos Wednesday afternoon showed the damage near the Jacksonville landmark.

2:30 p.m. power outage update: JEA outages back below 10,000

After briefly topping the 17,000 mark this afternoon, power outages in JEA's system across Northeast Florida are now down to 9.938 as of 2:30 p.m.

VIDEO: Hurricane Idalia whips St. Johns River in Jacksonville

Even with the hurricane's landfall far from the First Coast, Idalia is churning up the waters in Jacksonville.

Like Hurricane Michael, Idalia was as big as Colorado. How storm's size compares to others

When the eye of Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach, Florida, about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, it was a powerful Category 3 storm − about as wide as the state of Colorado. - Jennifer Sangalang

2 p.m. Idalia update: Hurricane continues weakening, down to 75 mph

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Idalia is continuing to weaken but retains hurricane force even after six hours on land, with winds of 75 mph. The storm's center is now about 10 miles north-northwest of Waycross. Here's the key information:

  • Position of center: 31.4 N, 82.5 W

  • Movement: Northeast at 20 mph

  • Minimum central pressure: 981 mb

The National Weather Service has discontinued its Tropical Storm Warning for areas south of Volusia County, although Northeast Florida's coast remains under the warning area.

Mayor Donna Deegan: Shelter in place as Hurricane Idalia comes closer to Jacksonville

Duval County will feel the most impact from Hurricane Idalia from around 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, officials said in a midday briefing. - Hanna Holthaus

Is a loop back to Florida still possible after damaging its Gulf Coast? New Hurricane Idalia forecast track

Thankfully, it looks like no loop back to South Florida on Hurricane Idalia's projected trek. - Antonio Fins

Track Hurricane Idalia's Northeast Florida power outages here

Looking for up-to-date information on power outages from the storm? Here's how to find the Times-Union's live map on where power's out.

1:05 p.m. power outage update: More than 11,000 JEA customers without electricity

As of the top of the hour, JEA reports 11,456 customers without power in the Jacksonville area. Outages remain widespread in North Florida: Clay Electric reports 36,350 of 190,280 customers (19.1 percent) without power, including more than 98 percent of the utility's 18,320 customers in Columbia County.

1 p.m. Hurricane Idalia update: Storm at 80 mph over Georgia

More than five hours after landfall, Idalia retains hurricane status in the latest position update from the National Hurricane Center. As of 1 p.m., the NHC reported Idalia at 31.2 N, 82.8 W, with sustained winds of 80 mph, a minimum central pressure of 978 mb and a north-northeastward movement at 20 mph. Northeast Florida remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, while the Georgia coastline north of Altamaha Sound is under a Hurricane Warning.

Duval County high school football may hold some games Friday

Hurricane Idalia closed Duval County schools from Tuesday through Thursday, but it appears that the storm hasn't entirely washed out the high school football schedule. Duval County Public Schools released a tentative plan Wednesday that includes a half-dozen public school games still on course for Friday night, with several others postponed. See the latest football schedule updates.

Evacuations end in St. Johns County

The St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center announced that the evacuation order for the county is now lifted. The two shelters in the county are scheduled to close at 2 p.m.

Highlights of noon Hurricane Idalia update by city officials

The worst of Hurricane Idalia's effects on Jacksonville are just now being felt in the area, Mayor Donna Deegan and weather officials said during a noon news conference. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph can be expected along the river and the coastline, they say, and that during high tide, residents should expect to see localized flooding in low-lying areas.

They implored residents to stay off the roads and stay in their homes during the next few hours until the storm's winds and rain diminish. They also asked residents to stay away from the beaches, reminding them that there are no lifeguards on duty today.

Seven shelters remain open for displaced residents to use. They include:

  • The Legends Center, 5130 Soutel Drive:  general population

  • Chimney Lakes Elementary, 9353 Staples Mill Drive: general population and pets

  • Landmark Middle, 101 Kernan Blvd.: general population and pets

  • Atlantic Coast High School, 9735 R.G. Skinner Parkway:for residents with special needs

  • Oceanway Elementary, 12555 Gillespie Ave.: general population

  • LaVilla School of the Arts, 501 N. Davis St.: for people experiencing homelessness

  • A seventh shelter is open in the Baldwin area

JEA CEO Jay Stowe said that around 7,200 customers were without power at noon and that residents should be prepared for wider outages this afternoon. By 12:45 p.m., the numbers of outages had grown to more than 14,000 — Gary T. Mills

Watch: Mayor Deegan gives Hurricane Idalia update

Jacksonville-area restaurant closings due to Hurricane Idalia

A reminder: Before heading out to lunch today, note that dozens of Northeast Florida restaurants announced that they will be closed today due to Hurricane Idalia. — Teresa Stepzinski

11 a.m. Hurricane Idalia advisory: After landfall, storm's winds fall to 90 mph

Hurricane Idalia, 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30
Hurricane Idalia, 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30

  • Position of center: 30.6 N, 83.2 W

  • Maximum sustained winds: 90 mph

  • Movement: North-Northeast at 20 mph

  • Minimum central pressure: 971 mb

According to the National Hurricane Center, Idalia's maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 90 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. Although the storm will continue to weaken as it tracks over land, it is still expected to be a hurricane through this afternoon or evening as it moves across southeastern Georgia and near the coast of South Carolina tonight. — Gary T. Mills

Tornado watch issued for Duval County, Northeast Florida

All of Northeast Florida remains under a tornado watch until 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible. — Gary T. Mills

Power outages pick up in Jacksonville as widespread outages reported elsewhere

Just before 11 a.m., JEA reported 26 outages affecting 2,866 customers in its service area. The largest outage (1,892 customers) was reported in the College Park area. JEA's Jay Stowe said the public utility has 2,100 employees as well as 500 workers from outside the area ready to restore power outages from Hurricane Idalia. If you are experiencing a power or water outage, JEA says the quickest and easiest way to report and track your outage is to report it on the company's website. You can also call (904) 665-6000.

In areas west of Jacksonville, widespread power outages are reported, including 95% of all customers in Suwannee County. — Gary T. Mills

Coming up at noon: City update on Hurricane Idalia

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and other city officials will provide an update on Hurricane Idalia and its impact on the area at 12:05 p.m. The update will be carried live on local TV and in this live blog. — Gary T. Mills

How big is Hurricane Idalia?

Idalia was about 350 miles across, with the hurricane-force winds about 50 miles in diameter.Idalia covers an area about the size of Colorado, which measures 380 miles wide.

At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, minutes after landfall in Keaton Beach, Florida, Idalia's tropical-storm force wind field covered an area of about 96,211 square miles. That's a little smaller than the state of Colorado, which measures about 104,000 square miles.

At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Idalia's hurricane-force wind field was 7,850 square miles, about the size of New Jersey, which has about 7,354 square miles of land.

— Jennifer Sangalang, Jeffrey Meesey, USA TODAY Network-Florida

8 a.m. Hurricane Idalia advisory: After landfall, storm's winds at 120 mph

Hurricane Idalia, 8 a.m. update, Wednesday, Aug. 30
Hurricane Idalia, 8 a.m. update, Wednesday, Aug. 30

  • Position of center: 29.9 N, 83.5 W

  • Maximum sustained winds: 120 mph

  • Movement: North-Northeast at 18 mph

  • Minimum central pressure: 950 mb

According to the National Hurricane Center: A north-northeastward motion is expected through the morning, with Idalia's center forecast to move into southern Georgia later today. Idalia is forecast to turn toward the northeast and east-northeast, moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina late today and Thursday. Although Idalia will weaken further now that the center is inland, it is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and near the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina late today. Idalia is forecast to be a tropical storm while moving near the coasts of northeastern South Carolina and North Carolina tonight and on Thursday.

— Gary T. Mills

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Hurricane Idalia live updates for Jacksonville, Northeast Florida