Hurricane Hermine has left the northern coast of Florida severely damaged as residents battled to secure their properties from 80mph winds. The hurricane, which passed through the state at around 1.30am local time on 2 August, left people without power as streets became flooded and high winds knocked over power lines and trees
But the extreme weather didnt keep everyone inside, with several inventive Florida residents using the flooded streets as an opportunity to practice their paddle board moves.
Two sports enthusiasts in St Petersburg, Florida, tied their paddle boards to the back of a moving vehicle and were pulled round the streets surfing the flood water.
Pictures of the flooding also show vehicles floating down the street following the extreme weather, which was downgraded to a tropical storm as it left Florida and headed northeast towards Georgia.
It is the first hurricane to hit Florida in a decade, the last being Hurricane Wilma, which hit the coast in 2005 and caused at least five deaths and severe destruction of property. Casualties thus far include reports that a man was killed by falling tree in Marion County, Florida, CNN reported, but authorities have not yet confirmed whether this was related to the hurricane.
As the tropical storm now moves northeast, weather warnings remain in place for Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, with fears flooding could cause further property damage and risk to residents.
Florida has seen coastal flooding since mid-week, with fears increased rainfall will add to inland flooding – with up to 15 inches of rain forecast for some areas of the state.
