VIDEO: Orange County Convention Center serving as statewide staging area following Idalia Orange County Convention Center serving as statewide staging area following Idalia
West Manatee County, the City of Naples and Imockalee are some of the crews that have been in and out of the convention center. That is where a warehouse is set up as a staging and deployment area for statewide search and rescue teams.
Eight teams made up of over 400 people are using the convention center as home base. They’re assessing damage locally and rescuing those hit hard by Idalia.
FEMA’s Keith Turi said the storm’s trajectory spared more populated areas like Tallahassee and Tampa, but there’s still plenty for those response teams to do.
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: A person rides a kayak through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Flooding in areas of Pasco County
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Makatla Ritchter wades through flood waters after having to evacuate her home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Steve Odom stands on the porch of his home that is surrounded by flood waters caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: People ride an ATV through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: A person canoes through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Tropical Weather Zeke Pierce rides his paddle board down the middle of a flooded Bayshore Blvd in downtown in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Hurricane Idalia steamed toward Florida’s Big Bend region Wednesday morning, threatening deadly storm surges and destructive winds in an area not accustomed to such pummeling. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Tropical Weather Members of the Tampa Fire Rescue Dept., remove a street pole after large awnings from an apartment building blew off from winds associated with Hurricane Idalia Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Idalia made landfall earlier this morning along the Big Bend of the state. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Kyan Watson and her dog Brandon look out at the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia surrounding their house on August 30, 2023, in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images /Getty Images)
Tropical Weather Flood waters pushed by Hurricane Idalia pour over the sea wall along Old Tampa Bay as paddle boarder Zeke Pierce, of Tampa rides Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Idalia made landfall earlier this morning along the Big Bend of the state. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Tropical Weather A woman surveys the flooding on Bayshore Blvd., along Old Tampa Bay after winds from Hurricane Idalia pushed water over the sea wall Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Idalia made landfall earlier this morning along the Big Bend of the state. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Hurricane Idalia Slams Into Florida's Gulf Coast MAYO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: People work to free a vehicle stuck on the shoulder amid storm debris as Hurricane Idalia crosses the state on August 30, 2023 near Mayo, Florida. The storm made landfall at Keaton Beach, Florida as Category 3 hurricane. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images /Getty Images)
Tropical Weather Members of the Tampa Fire Rescue Dept., remove a street pole after large awnings from an apartment building blew off from winds associated with Hurricane Idalia Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Idalia made landfall earlier this morning along the Big Bend of the state. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Tropical Weather Zeke Pierce rides his paddle board down the middle of a flooded Bayshore Blvd in downtown in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Hurricane Idalia steamed toward Florida’s Big Bend region Wednesday morning, threatening deadly storm surges and destructive winds in an area not accustomed to such pummeling. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Ken Kruse looks out at the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia surrounding his apartment complex on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Cars sit in flood waters from Hurricane Idalia after it passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Tina Kruse looks out at the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia surrounding her apartment complex on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Makatla Ritchter (L) and her mother, Keiphra Line wade through flood waters after having to evacuate their home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: A truck passes through flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: People ride an ATV through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Makatla Ritchter (L) and her mother, Keiphra Line wade through flood waters after having to evacuate their home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Makatla Ritchter wades through flood waters after having to evacuate her home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: People wade through flood waters from Hurricane Idalia after it passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: A truck passes through flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia A boardwalk at the Clearwater Harbor Marina in Clearwater, Florida, is flooded by the rising tide on August 30, 2023, after Hurricane Idalia made landfall. Idalia barreled into the northwest Florida coast as a powerful Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday morning, the US National Hurricane Center said. "Extremely dangerous Category 3 Hurricane #Idalia makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend," it posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that Idalia was causing "catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds." (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images) (MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia Palm trees at the Clearwater Harbor Marina in Clearwater, Florida, are pushed by the wind on August 30, 2023, after Hurricane Idalia made landfall. Idalia barreled into the northwest Florida coast as a powerful Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday morning, the US National Hurricane Center said. "Extremely dangerous Category 3 Hurricane #Idalia makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend," it posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that Idalia was causing "catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds." (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images) (MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TOPSHOT - A boardwalk at the Clearwater Harbor Marina in Clearwater, Florida, is flooded by the rising tide on August 30, 2023, after Hurricane Idalia made landfall. Idalia barreled into the northwest Florida coast as a powerful Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday morning, the US National Hurricane Center said. "Extremely dangerous Category 3 Hurricane #Idalia makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend," it posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that Idalia was causing "catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds." (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images) (MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Vehicles sit in a flooded street caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Flood waters caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore surround a building on August 30, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia ST. PETERSBURG BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Vehicles pass along hwy 19 after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: In an aerial view, a fire is seen as flood waters inundate the downtown area after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: A vehicle drives through flood waters caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Vehicles sit in a flooded street caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Reporters wade through flood waters as it inundates the downtown area after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Tropical-Weather This photo provided by FDOT shows flooded interstate 275 Over Tampa Bay, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Hurricane Idalia steamed toward Florida’s Big Bend region as a dangerous Category 4 storm Wednesday morning, threatening deadly storm surges and destructive winds in an area not accustomed to such pummeling. (FDOT via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
Tropical Weather In this photo taken with a drone, businesses are seen along 2nd Street in Cedar Key, Fla., ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Idalia, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Several local residents said they planned to ride out the storm at the Cedar Inn Motel, with red roof, lower left. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
Tropical Weather A resident drives his golf car over a bridge on Cedar Key, Fla., ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Idalia, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
Flooding in Crystal River
Flooding in Crystal River
Flooding in Crystal River
Flooding in Crystal River
Flooding in Crystal River
Flooding in Crystal River
Hurricane Idalia Cedar Key
Hurricane Idalia Cedar Key
Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia Cedar Key
Hurricane Idalia Cedar Key
Hurricane Idalia Cedar Key
Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia
Flooding in Sarasota (Cynthia McLaughlin)
Flooding in Sarasota
Flooding in Sarasota
Flooding in Sarasota
Flooding in Sarasota
Flooding in Treasure Island
Flooding in Treasure Island
Flooding in Treasure Island
Flooding in Treasure Island
Flooding in Treasure Island
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of St. Pete Beach
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in areas of Tampa
Flooding in Citrus County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding and storm damage in areas of Manatee County
Flooding in areas of Hillsborough County
Flooding in areas of Hillsborough County
Flooding in areas of Hillsborough County
Flooding in areas of Hillsborough County
Flooding in areas of Hillsborough County
Many areas of Clearwater Beach are under water because of surge from Hurricane Idalia.
Many areas of Clearwater Beach are under water because of surge from Hurricane Idalia.
Many areas of Clearwater Beach are under water because of surge from Hurricane Idalia.
Many areas of Clearwater Beach are under water because of surge from Hurricane Idalia.
Many areas of Clearwater Beach are under water because of surge from Hurricane Idalia.
Many areas of Clearwater Beach are under water because of surge from Hurricane Idalia.
Flooding in Crystal River (WFTV)
Hurricane Idalia Merritt Island (Grace M. /Grace M.)
“The area may not be as populated, but the impacts are going to be very real for those individuals who lived in that area. And it’s going to be disruptive and it’s going to be a long road.
On Wednesday, Orange County Fire Rescue sent a crew of about 30 people to the Tampa area to help with rescue and relief efforts.
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