Florida is bracing for Tropical Storm Idalia, which meteorologists say could turn into a Category 3 storm as it approaches the state, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and damaging storm surge.
The National Hurricane Center shared that Idalia intensified to a tropical storm on Sunday and is expected to make the leap to a hurricane on Monday before making landfall on Wednesday near the Big Bend of Florida.
In a release on Monday morning, the center shared that the storm will bring “life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds,” all of which are “becoming increasingly likely for portions of Florida.”
The storm is currently located 125 miles from the western tip of Cuba and has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.
While the storm is two days from its expected landfall, officials in Florida are not taking chances, ordering evacuations, canceling school, and warning residents to prepare their homes and properties.
“Idalia has been moving erratically and is nearly stationary,” the hurricane center added. “A motion toward the north-northeast and north is expected to begin later today, bringing the center of Idalia over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico by tonight.”
The hurricane center shared a hurricane watch along the Gulf Coast of Florida, from Englewood to India Pass. Still, officials are warning things could change rapidly with the storm.
“It should be emphasized that only a small deviation in the track could cause a big change in Idalia’s landfall location in Florida due to the paralleling track to the west coast of the state,” the hurricane center noted.
Those living in an area where evacuations haven’t been issued yet are being advised by the Florida Division of Emergency Management to be prepared should they come.
“Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane,” the agency warned. “It happens quickly and can endanger you, your family & your home.”
Storm surges of 4 to 7 feet above normal tidal levels are expected as the storm approaches, but meteorologists say in some areas it could get up to 10 feet.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the hurricane center said.
Outside of Florida, the storm is expected to result in flooding across parts of southern Georgia and parts of the Carolinas thanks to the heavy amounts of rainfall coming with the storm.
To prepare for the conditions, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has deployed 1,100 National Guardsmen with highwater vehicles and aircraft for rescue and recovery efforts.
“Our emergency operations center here in Tallahassee will go to a Level 1, 24-hour around the clock,” DeSantis said. The center has been at Level 1 since Monday at 7 a.m. EST.
Related
Related
