Hurricane Idalia

North Florida College will host a major food distribution on Friday, Sept.15

In Keaton Beach where Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm about a week ago, recovery is ongoing and getting back to normal is something community members say they’ll do together.

The low population and low property values in the Big Bend area compared to the rest of the state means local governments have less financial resources to respond. The eventual insured loss is estimated at $3-$5 billion.

Following Idalia’s impacts, the Florida Division of Emergency Management wants to ensure Florida residents have all the information necessary to recover.

The disaster declaration makes federal money available for people affected by the storm. 13 counties are now covered by the order.

Recovery efforts are underway for areas across central and north Florida following Hurricane Idalia's destruction.

Search-and-rescue efforts have been narrowed to three counties hit hard by Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, while Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the federal government to expand a disaster declaration.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state will seek federal help for the fishing industry in the Big Bend region, as cleanup efforts continue following major Hurricane Idalia.

The city of Perry was hit hard by Hurricane Idalia. It stormed ashore with 125 mph winds Wednesday knocking out power, damaging homes, and smashing businesses. After the winds and rains cleared, community members realized recovery would be just as hard. But as neighbors gathered in the rural Big Bend town, they took the first steps toward picking up the pieces.

Category 3 Idalia made landfall in Taylor County’s Keaton Beach area, and Sheriff Wayne Padgett said other hard-hit areas included downtown Perry and Steinhatchee, “a little fishing village on the coast."