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Flooded roads, evacuations and downed power lines - there's no doubt Idalia has caused havoc in the US over the last 24 hours. 

It was originally classed as a category 3 hurricane, but as the day comes to an end it has been downgraded to a tropical storm. 

Here's what has happened so far: 

Idalia roared ashore early this morning with 125 mph winds and unleashed devastation along a wide stretch of the Gulf Coast.

Homes and vehicles were submerged, streets turned into rivers, and small boats were unmoored before the hurricane went sweeping into Georgia.

Almost 438,000 customers in Florida and Georgia lost power while rushing water covered streets near the coast.

The centre of the hurricane then moved inland, causing high winds to shred signs, send sheet metal flying and snap tall trees.

Idalia came ashore in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula.

It made landfall as a high-end category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph.

There were no confirmed storm deaths in Florida, although fatal traffic accidents in two counties may end up being storm-related, Florida governor Ron DeSantis said. 

State officials, 5,500 National Guardsman and rescue crews were in search-and-recovery mode, inspecting bridges, clearing toppled trees and looking for anyone in distress in one of Florida's most rural regions.

On the island of Cedar Key, downed trees and debris blocked roads, and propane tanks exploded.

The system remained a hurricane as it crossed into Georgia with top winds of 90 mph after drenching Florida mostly to the east of Tallahassee.

Forecasters said it would punish the Carolinas overnight as a tropical storm.

Some models had predicted it could circle southward toward land again after that, but the National Hurricane Centre predicted it would move deeper into the Atlantic this weekend.

Idalia has weakened to a tropical storm as it passes over the state of Georgia after slamming into Florida as a powerful hurricane, the National Hurricane Center's latest advisory says.

The storm is centred west of Savannah, Georgia and has a maximum sustained winds of 70mph, it added. 

Hurricane force winds are at least 74mph. 

The organisation warned the risk of freshwater flooding, storm surge and strong winds continues across portions of Georgia and North and South Carolina. 

As the hurricane moves towards the next states in its path, South and North Carolina, the governor of the latter has urged residents to stock up on supplies.

Roy Cooper warned people to stay off flooded roads when Idalia hits the state, reported CNN.

And if dangerous waters wasn't reason enough to heed his advice, the snake photographed beneath them by a sheriff's office in Florida should be... 

Earlier today we reported how more than 850 flights were suspended.

Now some Florida airports appear to be cautiously reopening.

Tampa International Airport has allowed some arrivals as of 4pm local time and will resume full operations tomorrow, it said.

"TPA is fortunate to have avoided the worst effects of such a dangerous storm, after acting in an abundance of caution," Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano said.

Tallahassee International Airport will remain closed for the rest of the day before "normal operations" resume tomorrow morning, according to the Tallahassee government website.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport reopened at 8am today, having closed for 11 hours, it posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Some people who did not evacuate Citrus Country, Florida, were forced to "swim out of their windows", according to reports.

Crystal River residents Brenda and Phil Henley told MSNBC that it was the only way some could escape their almost completed submerged homes.

"Swimming out of their windows, literally, from their homes," Mr Henley said.

The county was under a mandatory evacuation order, reported out partner network NBC.

Idalia tore the roof off a motel in Perry, Florida, where a family was trying to weather the hurricane.

It rained debris down on Belond Thomas, a 41-year-old paper mill worker, her pregnant daughter, son and grandson.

Ms Thomas had thought it would be safer than their small homes, but as the centre of the storm reached them, a loud whistling noise began.

Suddenly "the whole roof just blew up" and "all hell broke loose", said Ms Thomas.

Her 15-year-old son, a 6ft 5 American football player, kicked in a door to an adjoining room so they could escape.

Thomas, her four-year-old grandson, said: "I have never been in a tornado, but everything was whizzing."

"God is going to bless me this year. He already got me through a hurricane," said Ms Thomas.

Rescue workers wade through a flooded highway in Steinhatchee, Florida, searching for people in need of help.

Houses, roads and vehicles have been submerged in the town - and a similar fate has fallen on businesses in Tarpon Springs.

In Twin City Mobile Home Park, residents use canoes to move between their flooded homes.

The hurricane is just the latest extreme weather event to hit the US as a result of climate change, according to the president.

"I don't think anybody can deny the impact of a climate crisis anymore," he tells a news briefing.

"Historic floods, more intense droughts, extreme heat, significant wildfires have caused significant damage like we've never seen before," he says.

"We've never seen this much fire," says Mr Biden, adding he remains "laser-focused" on recovery efforts in Maui, Hawaii, following wildfires.

As for hurricane Idalia, up to 1,500  FEMA and 900 coast guard personnel have been deployed in response, said Mr Biden. 

Multiple rescues have been taking place as a result of the storm, he said.

The president is talking about the federal response to Idalia.

He contacted Florida governor Ron DeSantis earlier today, Reuters reported.

Mr Biden said yesterday he has been "in constant contact" about storm preparations with Mr DeSantis - who could challenge him for the presidency if he wins the Republican nomination.

More than 1,000 personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's rapid assessment teams were ready to hit the ground this morning, according to its administrator Deanne Criswell.

Idalia has been the most powerful hurricane to hit the state's northwest region in more than a century.

"It is a blessing that the path of the hurricane took it through largely rural areas," said US correspondent James Matthews.

"Had it passed through more populated urban areas, then clearly the damage and casualty count could have been much greater."

Yet there has still been "devastation" to varying degrees across the state and the weakened hurricane remains "dangerous", he said.