Florida resident opens up about destruction of Hurricane Idalia as it heads for South Carolina

The hurricane that left a trail of destruction across Florida, is now headed towards South Carolina.

It's been downgraded from Hurricane Idalia to Tropical Storm Idalia, but officials say it could continue to wreak havoc.

Back in Florida, the cleanup is expected to take weeks, if not months, for some communities.

Supercharged by Florida waters as warm as a hot tub Hurricane Idalia arrived, packing an almighty punch.

There were 200km/h winds, enough to rip a gas station's roof off its pillars and flip a vehicle into the air, throwing it down onto another car.

It's been 150 years since this part of Florida was in the eye of the storm.

Torrential rain and strong winds caused a quarter of a million homes to lose power.

Idalia was creating her own electricity as she approached The Gulf, captured in a striking image taken from space.

Hurricane Idalia was captured in striking footage taken from space.
Hurricane Idalia was captured in striking footage taken from space. Photo credit: Newshub

However, despite pummeling America's sunshine state, it could have been much worse.

"There are, as of now, no confirmed fatalities," Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis said.

No "confirmed" fatalities, however, authorities have said there were at least three deaths from incidents such as weather-related car crashes.

Crystal River resident Shelley Minetti rode out the storm in what can only be described as a night from hell.

"One minute it wasn't there and within 35 minutes my entire house flooded in about six to seven inches of rain," Minetti said.

She's thankful to have made it out alive, and it's understandable that she's trying to put on a brave face.

"What can I do? I'm beyond exhausted and I've lost everything in my home."

Minetti had more belongings to collect and invited Newshub with her to see the town for ourselves.

Before us lay a community entirely submerged, and for Minetti, the pain of the hurricane becomes all too real.

Cars are submerged, homes are inaccessible and palm trees can be seen popping up above the surface of the main street.

Crystal River on Florida's coastline is known as one of the state's historic towns.

But today, there is no way you can get a car through here, the only way through is on an airboat.

"Terrible, terrible, terrible, everything is underwater, people getting stuck, it's crazy, I've never seen anything like it," airboat co-captain Thomas said. 

Minetti plans to go back tomorrow, determined to keep going and start cleaning up.

"I'm going to start a GoFundMe account, I have no insurance."

Like Minetti and many others, hope is all they have during hurricane season, as hard as it might be to keep clinging on.