Hurricane Idalia hits Florida with full force.
The governor’s family was caught in the middle of the chaos when a large oak tree fell on their house.
– Fortunately, no one was injured, says Mrs. Casey DeSantis.
On Wednesday afternoon, Swedish time, Idalia pulled in over land in Florida.
Pictures show how houses and roads were flooded by the masses of water. Hundreds of thousands of people are also without power.
In Madison County, a curfew has been issued.
“Due to the extent of the damage and the safety of our citizens, the curfew will remain in effect until further notice,” the sheriff said in a statement on Facebook.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is running to become the next president of the United States, has also found himself in the chaos. DeSantis says the family was at home in the Tallahassee mansion with the children when an ancient oak tree fell on the house.
“Mason, Madison, Mamie and I were home at the time, but thankfully no one was hurt. Our prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm,” she writes on Twitter.
Biden: “Never seen before”
At a news conference Wednesday, DeSantis says the hurricane continues to plague the northern part of the state.
– We continue to search, secure and stabilize areas where we can. Many roads are impassable and blocked by large fallen trees, he says, according to NPR.
DeSantis has been contacted by unconfirmed reports of several motorists dying in connection with the storm, but says there are no reports from hospitals or medical facilities.
Even US President Joe Biden has commented on the ongoing disaster.
– I don’t think anyone can deny the effects of the climate crisis anymore. Just look around. Historic floods, more intense droughts, extreme heat and severe forest fires have caused significant damage that we have never seen before, he says according to CNN.