Early Tuesday morning, Hurricane Idalia became a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to strengthen before hitting Florida
A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, affecting 46 of its 67 counties, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to land on Wednesday.
According to FOX Weather, Hurricane Idalia was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as it moved over Cuba on Tuesday morning. It is expected to become a major hurricane, bringing a “deadly” storm surge to Florida’s west coast Wednesday morning.
As of Tuesday morning, Hurricane Idalia was about 85 miles north of the western tip of Cuba and about 370 miles south-southwest of Tampa, FOX Weather reported. The hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, gusts of 14 mph, and is moving toward the north at 14 mph.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned sternly of the impending “major impact” on the state. Evacuation orders have been issued for 21 counties and residents are strongly advised to follow these orders.
In a press conference Monday, Governor DeSantis expressed the importance of prioritizing public safety over property. He emphasized that while houses can be rebuilt, the irreversible consequences of risking one’s life in the face of natural calamities cannot be undone. DeSantis stressed that one should not take unnecessary risks when dealing with Mother Nature.
President Joe Biden announced earlier Monday that he had spoken with Governor DeSantis, who is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. They discussed and passed an emergency declaration for Florida, which provides federal funds to help with needed cleanup and repairs, after Hurricane Idalia.
President Biden expressed his full support for Florida as the state prepares for Hurricane Idalia and its aftermath, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to help during this challenging time.
This morning, I spoke with Governor DeSantis to inform him that we've approved the Emergency Declaration for Florida as they prepare for Hurricane Idalia, and FEMA has pre-deployed personnel and assets.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 28, 2023
Florida has my full support as they prepare for Idalia and its aftermath.
Florida has activated 1,100 National Guard members with 2,400 high-water vehicles and 12 aircraft, ready to participate in rescue and recovery operations.
In preparation for the impending hurricane, Florida residents are busy filling sandbags, securing patio furniture, and evacuating homes in vulnerable, low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast. Some residents are even taking precautions by bringing out generators to deal with potential power outages.
Hurricane Idalia is expected to bring hurricane-force winds to Florida by late Tuesday, with landfall expected on Wednesday. It marked the first hurricane to hit the state this season, which poses a significant threat, especially as Florida is still struggling after the damage of Hurricane Ian.
Significant portions of Florida’s west coast face imminent threats of storm surge and flooding when a storm of this size arrives. In response to the impending danger, Pasco and Levy counties, both north of Tampa, have also mandated evacuations for select residents deemed at risk. In Levy County, residents of Cedar Key were urged to evacuate the island by Tuesday evening due to predicted storms that are expected to make bridges impassable.
County officials issued a public advisory, stressing the need to evacuate and warning that once storm surge inundates the area, there could be significant challenges in providing aid to those left behind.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a hurricane warning extending across Tampa Bay from Longboat Key in the Sarasota area to the Holocene River. This warning indicates the critical need for residents in these areas to take immediate precautions and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety.
Several school districts along the Gulf Coast have announced school closures for both Tuesday and Wednesday. Eckerd College in St. Petersburg told students to evacuate the campus by Monday night.
Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport also confirmed closings on Tuesday.
PIE will close 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 29th due to Tropical Storm Idalia and plans to reopen Wednesday, August 30th at 3:00 pm. Passengers should check with their airline for flight information updates.
— St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (@iflypie) August 28, 2023
As of Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service said Idalia was “approaching hurricane strength as it approaches western Cuba.”
Tropical Storm #Idalia Advisory 9: Idalia Nearing Hurricane Strength as it Approaches Western Cuba. Life-Threatening Storm Surge and Dangerous Winds Becoming Increasingly Likely For Portions of Florida. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 28, 2023
On Tuesday, Hurricane Idalia is expected to accelerate northeastward with increased speed, poised to make landfall on Florida’s west coast as a formidable major hurricane on Wednesday.
After passing through Florida, Idalia is expected to continue its path through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Anticipating the storm’s arrival, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Monday ordered the activation of the state’s emergency management operations centers.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently revised its forecast for the 2023 hurricane season, indicating that it will be more active than initially expected. This high activity is attributed in part to exceptionally warm ocean temperatures. Hurricane season officially extends from June 1 to November 30, with August and September typically seeing the highest levels of hurricane activity.