State of chaos

Florida hammered by 125mph hurricane and 9ft wall of water

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

TERRIFYING pictures capture the full extent of the mayhem caused by Hurricane Idalia in Florida.

The sea, driven by winds topping 125mph, overwhelmed flood defences and submerged communities beneath up to nine feet of surge water.

Idalia, which came ashore on Wednesday morning in the mainly rural Big Bend region, turned streets to rivers, swamping cars and homes.

It tore off roofs, snapped trees, sent sheet metal flying and wrecked homes, leaving thousands counting the cost. Tens of thousands were without power.