Tropical Storm Idalia barrels through Florida, Georgia and Carolina

Tropical Storm Idalia reached Southern South Carolina. Flood threat continues over Georgia and the Carolina. Two men were reportedly killed in Florida in two separate car crashes related to the extreme rain, authorities said. Hurricane Idalia brought torrential rain and threats of flash flooding on Wednesday afternoon to southeast Georgia after slamming into Florida, where authorities feared a powerful storm surge may have inundated communities in the Big Bend region.Despite Idalia's downgrade to tropical storm status as it made its way across southern Georgia, forecasters continued to warn that it packed a potentially dangerous storm surge, and could still cause tornadoes and more flooding in the Carolinas.Idalia was downgraded to a tropical storm Wednesday evening.

Tropical Storm #Idalia Advisory 17A: Idalia Over Southern South Carolina. Flood Threat Continues Over Georgia and the Carolinas. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 30, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden said he may have to adjust his personal and work travel schedule as a result of Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Florida early on Wednesday. Biden, speaking at the White House, said he had spoken with the governors of all potentially affected states and reassured them that the federal government would provide any assistance neede.

Hurricane Idalia Update:

To support states in the path of Hurricane Idalia, the Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized 1,500 federal personnel, more than 540 Urban Search and Rescue personnel, and three Disaster Survivor Assistance Strike teams.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 30, 2023

It was the fourth major hurricane to strike Florida in the past seven years, following Irma in 2017, Michael in 2018 and Ian, which peaked at Category 5, last September.