Wednesday's live blog: Idalia roars ashore as a category 3

Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a category 3 storm this morning at 7:45 EDT. This blog will keep you up-to-date on the latest impacts as this powerful storm lashes Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Idalia is no longer a hurricane but it's still strong, with wind speeds around 60 mph. It's moving northeast, away from Georgia and South Carolina, where it's causing heavy rain along the coast. The storm will shift east and slow down near Bermuda in the coming days. If you're in those areas, keep an eye on the WeatherRadar. Storm surge, tree damage, power outages, tornadoes, and inland flash flooding remain a threat.

Though Idalia has moved away from the Florida West Coast, impacts linger. Our weather reporter is in Crystal River, Fla., and emphasizes the vulnerability of the West Coast of Florida storm surge. The last time the area faced something similar was during Hurricane Hermine and the unforgettable no-name storm in 1993.

Unfortunately two men have been killed in weather-related car accidents according to Florida Highway Patrol. Authorities are encouraging people to remain off the road in areas hard-hit by Idalia.

Videos of damage from Taylor County in Florida, where Idalia made landfall, are coming in. Many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by storm surge and the storm's powerful winds.

With more than 285,000 customers without power in Florida and more than 160,000 with no power in Georgia, it's important to use caution if operating on generator power. Also, flashlights are a better option than candles.

Tampa's airport will open up for arriving flights only today at 4pm ET. Normal operations will resume Thursday morning.

Power is out for more than 100,000 customers in Georgia and more than 268,000 in Florida. Treat ever downed power line as if it was live.

Jonathan Petramala talked to residents of Steinhatchee, Fla., about the damage from hurricane Idalia. Many homes are a total loss from the storm surge and wind.

Tornado watches extend from north Florida into Georgia and the Carolinas. The right side of a landfalling hurricane brings the greatest tornado threat. Cities like Savannah, Ga., Charleston, and Myrtle Beach, S.C., should be on alert as Idalia moves through.

Nearly 60,000 customers are without power now across south Georgia and more than 275,000 without power in northern Florida. Powerful winds continue to topple trees and outages will increase.

Rain totals in excess of half a foot are already leading to inland flooding in south Georgia. 3-5 inches has already fallen in Lowndes county

Idalia is maintaining hurricane strength as it continues to move inland. Multiple water rescues have been necessary in south-central Georgia as flooding rains move in. While this storm is currently a category 1, it remains extremely dangerous.

Significant flooding has impacted many communities along Florida's west coast, including Tarpon Springs which is around 30 miles northwest of Tampa. Water rescues are underway in Pinellas County.

Power outages continue to grow, with Leon, Suwanee, and Taylor counties in Florida seeing some of the highest numbers. In Georgia, the number of outages is nearing 40,000 customers.

Power outage numbers are growing, especially in Florida's Big Bend and in south Georgia. Nearly 270,000 customers are without power in Florida and more than 20,000 without power in Georgia. These numbers will continue to grow. The course of the Steinhatchee river was also reversed as Idalia's surge moved in.

As storm surge moved in, the Steinhatchee river rose seven feet in just one hour. Catastrophic flooding from storm surge is ongoing.

Meteorologist Becca Parker will be live on YouTube at 9 a.m. ET to answer your questions and give you the latest forecast.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall this morning as a category 3 storm near Keaton Beach, Fla., with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. Jonathan Petramala is in Steinhatchee, Fla., reporting on the catastrophic storm surge in this region.