Cyclone Idalia causes 100-year-old oak tree to split, fall on Gov. DeSantis' estate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) - - The strong winds from Hurricane Idalia caused a 100-year-old oak tree to fall on the Florida guv's estate in Tallahassee Wednesday early morning.

While Gov. Ron DeSantis was giving an update on the devastation left by Idalia, he reassured everyone that he, his spouse, and 3 kids were "great.".

DeSantis' wife, Casey DeSantis, posted a picture of the giant oak tree, saying, "luckily, nobody was injured.".

" 100 year old oak tree falls on the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee-- Mason, Madison, Mamie and I were house at the time, however thankfully no one was injured. A tree service worker prepares to cut down an tree that fell in front of the Governor's Mansion in the after-effects of Hurricane Idalia in Tallahassee, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.

During the press conference, the guv said his wife had simply called him, telling him about the occurrence.

" We're great. I do not know that it fell on the residence per se, I believe it was a little bit off to the side, so that's going to have actually to be cleared," DeSantis stated.

Northeast Ohio locals ride out Hurricane Idalia's landfall.

" I do not understand if they're going to have to cut down the whole tree; if they do reduce the entire tree, that's simply going to be more space for my kids to hit baseballs in. In some aspects, even though the tree was good, we'll make do and be rather alright.".

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Keaton Beach, Florida, on Wednesday morning. The NHC stated Idalia is bringing disastrous storm rise and destructive winds to Florida's Big Bend.

President Joe Biden called Gov. DeSantis to let him understand federal assistance will be readily available to deal with destruction from Hurricane Idalia, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

DeSantis, the Republican governor and governmental prospect, showed that the state's needs were being met, Deanne Criswell, head of FEMA, informed reporters during Wednesday's White House rundown.

See inside! $22.5 M 'Sandcastle' beach home.

Criswell was with Biden when he phoned DeSantis, and the president stressed that over 1,500 federal workers were in the location to help with any reaction or rescue effort.

Biden also called the governors of Georgia and North and South Carolina to pledge federal assistance.

Idalia was later devalued to a tropical storm as it passed over Georgia.

The Associated Press added to this report.