Storm surge threatens Florida's Nature Coast

Deputies were out in Dixie County, Florida, on Aug. 29, urging coastal residents to evacuate as Hurricane Idalia approaches the shoreline.

Transcript

00:00 These small coastal communities are in the direct path of danger.

00:04 Suwanee is surrounded by canals and the river that all flow right into the Gulf of Mexico.

00:10 Edalia could push 10 to 15 feet of storm surge into these neighborhoods.

00:15 It is a life-threatening situation and deputies are warning people to listen to the mandatory evacuation order and get out.

00:22 The owner of Salt Creek Restaurant is clearing out and is hoping this nature lover's paradise will be spared.

00:29 You can fish fresh water up the Suwanee River, got all the springs and this side salt water and everything else out there is salt of course.

00:39 And there's 52,000 acres of federal land between here and the next town.

00:44 It is a special place. Everybody's leaving. Yeah. The last update sent them out.

00:50 A shelter is open at the Dixie County High School.

00:53 With the threat of all of this storm surge, authorities are urging people not to try and stay here to ride out the storm.

00:59 It's time to leave. In Dixie County, Florida, for AccuWeather, I'm Bill Waddell.