It's been one week since Hurricane Idalia hit Florida as a category four storm. Most of the gulf coast experienced the storms winds and rains. Many homes and businesses on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva and all over Southwest Florida that are still recovering from Hurricane Ian got flooded yet again. However, folks in the so-called Big Bend area of the state got the brunt of the storm. Efforts are ongoing to help those who are suffering. Five Florida hotels are hosting Hurricane Idalia relief efforts this week including one in downtown Fort Myers.
The fund raising effort is called “Raising the Roof for Hurricane Idalia Relief” and it takes place this Thursday, Sep. 7. Here are the hotels that are participating: EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge (Epicurean Hotel in Tampa); Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar (Fenway Hotel in Dunedin); Vantage Rooftop Bar (The Karol Hotel in St. Pete/Clearwater); Skybox Rooftop Bar (Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel); and Beacon Social Drinkery (Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers.)
Each of these hotels have popular rooftop bars. Although each location is throwing its own unique event, all will be donating a percentage sales from the night to the American Red Cross Hurricane Idalia Fund to support communities impacted by the storm.
How the donations work for Hurricane Idalia relief events this week
- Epicurean Hotel (EDGE): 5 to 10 p.m. (100% proceeds from the night)
- Fenway Hotel (Hi-Fi): 4 to 10 p.m. (50% proceeds from the night)
- The Karol Hotel (Vantage): 4 to 10 p.m. (50% proceeds from the night)
- Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel (Skybox): 4 to 10 p.m. (100% proceeds from the night)
- Luminary Hotel & Co. (Beacon Social Drinkery): 4 to 10 p.m. (50% proceeds from the night)
Pass on the info to friends and family who live in these areas so they can participate as well. In the meantime, make sure you are prepared for the next storm. Click here for our free Hurricane Guide. It has lots of valuable information.
First Look Of Florida Flooding From Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia struck the Florida coast in the Big Bend are near Keaton Beach just before 8 this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. It's still too early to assess the damage from the Category 3 storm, but pictures are coming in to give us our first look at flooding from Hurricane Idalia.
Getty photographer Joe Raedle is on the ground in Tarpon Springs. More dramatic pictures are coming from Cedar Key, which was most closer to the area where the storm made landfall.
Hurricane Idalia is not done. The 11am Wednesday update is in and it's still a 90 mph hurricane. The center of the storm is located on the Florida / Georgia line. Hurricane warnings stretch up the coast of Georgia and into South Carolina. Even people in Atlanta are feeling effects of the storm. Once the storm leaves the coastal US, the current tracks have it heading towards Bermuda. Bermuda is currently dealing with Hurricane Franklin. It looks like they could be seeing another one next week.
The majority of the damage we're seeing so far is from flooding from Hurricane Idalia. Although we are seeing some wind damage in Tallahassee and others. I had a friend send me that first video from outside her house, which is just off downtown.
Southwest Florida has mostly dodged the damage from this hurricane, but it's only August 30th. Be prepared. There's still a lot of hurricane season ahead of us.
Tallahassee
If you've ever been to Tallahassee, you know they have a lot of big trees hanging over the streets. And over the power lines.
Cedar Key
The first floor of that hotel or condo building is ruined. The line of debris will make it easy to assess the surge.
Cedar Key
Another angle from the line of debris. When this picture was taken this morning you can still see how high the water is, and that it's still coming in.
Cedar Key
A lot of branches and leaves on the ground, but the trees stayed up. A lot of clean up to do.
Cedar Key
This cottage is completely flooded. We're going to see a lot more of this as the storm passes and more pictures are posted.
Cedar Key
Another angle from that yellow cottage. The water is over the fence.
Tarpon Springs
This is all too common with fires erupting in flooded neighborhoods. We saw it here in Southwest Florida with Ian.
Tarpon Springs
We knew there was going to be surge. These two are lucky to get out with their lives.
Tarpon Springs
This is something we'll need to watch for in the coming months. These used cars coming back on the market after being flooded. Just something to be aware of.
Tarpon Springs
You know this guy had no where to be. He's doing this for the 'Gram.
Tarpon Springs
See this too much. "I have a truck, I'll be fine." I don't see a snorkel on that truck, you may have just ruined your ride.
Tarpon Springs
Not much else you can do.
Tarpon Springs
With the first floor flooded, all you can do is watch from the railing. There's a lot of cleanup to do.
