Idalia touched down in Florida's Big Bend region on Wednesday morning as a powerful Category 3 hurricane -- the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the Apalachee Bay.
Idalia has since weakened into a tropical storm and moved inland over Georgia and the Carolinas.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Aug 30, 2023, 5:13 PM EDT
Over 485K customers without power in 4 states
More than 485,000 customers are without power across four states in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.
That includes more than 260,600 customers in Florida and more than 210,200 in Georgia.
More than 14,000 customers in the Carolinas are also impacted.
Aug 30, 2023, 4:56 PM EDT
Idalia weakens to tropical storm
Idalia has weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm as it slams Georgia and the Carolinas with rain and wind.
Aug 30, 2023, 4:07 PM EDT
Biden speaks to DeSantis: 'This is not about politics'
President Joe Biden has spoken with the governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina as Hurricane Idalia slams the Southeast.
The Steinhatchee marina is seen flooded in Steinhatchee, Fla., Aug. 30, 2023, after Hurricane Idalia made landfall.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
"I think they're reassured that we're going to be there for whatever they need," Biden said of the governors.
The president said he thinks Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis "trusts my judgment and my desire to help, and I trust him to be able to suggest that this is not about politics. It's about taking care of the people of the state."
Ken and Tina Kruse stand next to their apartment after the area flooded from Hurricane Idalia in Tarpon Springs, Fla., Aug. 30, 2023.
Greg Lovett/USA Today via Reuters
Biden said he told the governor of each impacted state that "if there's anything, anything the states need right now, I'm ready to mobilize that support."
The president said he didn't yet know if he would adjust his upcoming travel to visit the Southeast.
DeSantis told reporters he agreed with Biden’s assessment that managing the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia is not about politics.
"We’re going to work together from local, state, federal, regardless of party, to be able to deliver results for the people in their time of need," he said.
Women stand in a flooded street after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on Aug. 30, 2023 in Crystal River, Fla.
Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson
Aug 30, 2023, 3:42 PM EDT
Tornado confirmed near Charleston
A tornado was confirmed near Charleston Wednesday afternoon.
Meteorologists are warning of flying debris and damage to roofs, windows and cars.
A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. ET for parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, including Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. Hail and 70 mph wind gusts are also possible.