ITV News arrived at the small hotel in Crystal River before Idalia’s full force was unleashed.
Most businesses here had shuttered their premises and this hotel was only accepting media and emergency workers. Pictures of manatees decorated the reception.
This small town is renowned as one of the best places in Florida to see the creatures in the normally clear waters. But within hours this little harbour had been transformed by the surging power of a category 4 hurricane, fuelled by unusually warm waters to produce at least 130 mile per hour winds.
• Subscribe to ITV News on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2lOHmNj
• Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news
Follow ITV News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itvnews/
Follow ITV News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/itvnews
Follow ITV News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itvnews/
