Idalia to Hit Levy County Coast with Catastrophic Storm Surge, Powerful Winds

By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

Hurricane Idalia intensified Tuesday and was projected to make landfall near Steinhatchee Wednesday morning as a Category 3 storm packing 125 miles per hour sustained winds and a catastrophic storm surge.

“It looks like they’re going to take almost a direct hit. It’s going to be a few miles northwest of Steinhatchee,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Rodney Wynn said Tuesday. “There aren’t many people that live there but it’s not going to be a good place to be.”

Cedar Key is located about 42 miles south of Steinhatchee. Yankeetown and Cedar Key, both coastal cities in Levy County, are expected to get hit with the same catastrophic 10-15-foot storm surge as Steinhatchee.

“We don’t use the word catastrophic very often but that’s what we’re describing the storm surge to be in the big bend area,” Wynn said. Yankeetown, Cedar Key, Steinhatchee, and Perry are all in the Big Bend area.

The hurricane grew in size to 150 miles wide overnight as it left the Yucatan Peninsula in the lower Gulf of Mexico and headed northwest toward landfall in Steinhatchee.

Wynn said the storm is expected to intensify and grow larger and stronger as it moves north over the next 12 to 18 hours.

The Levy County Department of Emergency Management has ordered an immediate mandatory evacuation of Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Fowlers Bluff, Fanning Springs, all low-lying areas, all RV parks, mobile homes, and manufactured housing.

The last major hurricane of this size and power to hit Cedar Key was Hurricane Elena in 1985 which stood off the coast of the island city for 2/1’2 days without making landfall. It eventually hit further north.

Many residents were stranded off the island after the storm when the state refused to let them cross the Number 4 bridge to check on their homes. Many were angered by the blockade and vowed never to leave the island again ahead of a hurricane.

Wynn said he hopes people living along the coast in Levy County realize the power of this life-threatening storm surge and head for higher ground.

“I hope they saw Hurricane Ian just a year ago. Some of the people who stayed behind wished they hadn’t stayed behind. We’re definitely expecting a very life-threatening storm. I hope everyone heeds the warnings and leaves from there,” Wynn said.

Idalia is expected to generate 40-60 mile per hour sustained winds inland in Levy County and 70-80 mile per hour gusts.

The general population and pet-friendly storm shelter in Levy County is Bronson Middle High School at 351 Ishie Ave. Bronson. It opened today at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Williston Middle High School will open as a shelter when Bronson Middle High is near capacity.

Citizens with animals that need to be sheltered should bring a crate, food, bottled water (1-gallon jug per animal), and any medications. Owners must provide a rabies vaccine certificate and proof of distemper parvo/feline distemper vaccine. Levy County Animal Services will provide vaccines for an additional $10 per vaccine. All animals will be sheltered at the Levy County Animal Control shelter if the owner cannot provide proof of vaccinations. Citizens with pet questions should call (352) 486-5138.

All county boat ramps are closed.

The Cedar Key Airport is closed

Sandbag locations are now operational at the following locations:

Gulf Hammock Fire Station

Cedar Key Community Center

Rosewood Baptist Church

Yankeetown Wate Plant

Inglis Municipal Building

Bronson Town Hall

Chiefland Maintenance Yard

Fowlers Bluff Fire Station

Empty lot across from Williston Police Department