Hurricane Idalia is quickly strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico and is heading directly towards Florida.[0] The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday as a major Category 3 hurricane, bringing with it dangerous storm surge, destructive winds, and the potential for tornadoes.
As of Tuesday morning, Idalia was located approximately 125 miles west of Tampa and 185 miles south of Tallahassee.[1] It is moving north at 18 mph and has maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour.[2] The storm is forecasted to become an extremely dangerous Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida.
Meteorologists have warned that Idalia will bring life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions to parts of the Gulf coast by Tuesday night, continuing into Wednesday. Storm surge is expected to be severe, reaching up to 12 feet along the state’s Gulf Coast, with Tampa Bay expecting surges of up to 7 feet. The National Hurricane Center also predicts storm surge as high as 8-12 feet in some parts of Florida’s Big Bend.
In addition to storm surge, Idalia will bring destructive winds to the region. If the storm makes landfall as a Category 4 hurricane as expected, sustained winds of 111 to 129 mph are likely near the center of circulation along the immediate coastal areas.[3] As the storm tracks across the state on Wednesday, it is expected to remain a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, with winds ranging from 74 mph to possibly over 100 mph closest to the eyewall. Power outages, tree damage, and structural damage are likely, and there is also the potential for isolated tornadoes in the outer rain bands across the state.
The potential impact of Idalia has led to the issuance of various warnings and evacuations.[4] A hurricane warning is in effect for multiple areas, indicating that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.[5] A hurricane watch means those conditions are possible.[2] Forecasters are advising individuals residing in regions under hurricane warnings to get ready for the arrival of adverse weather conditions within the next 12 to 24 hours. Additionally, a storm surge warning is in effect for areas at risk of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline.[5]
As the storm approaches, sandbags are being made available to residents in various locations across Florida.[6] Residents are advised to bring their own shovels and identification, with a limit of 10 bags per residence.[7]
The impact of Idalia is not limited to the coastal areas. Governor Ron DeSantis has emphasized that inland counties, such as Columbia County, will also be affected by the storm.[8] Highway tolls have been waived and hotels are prepared to take evacuees.[9] As a result, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for certain areas, including Evacuation Zone A, mobile and manufactured homes, and low-lying areas prone to flooding.[10]
Preparations for Idalia are ongoing, with 46 of Florida’s 67 counties under a state-issued emergency declaration.[11] This allows them to access public funds and resources to prepare for the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis has been providing updates on Florida’s response to Idalia, urging residents to take necessary precautions and to stay informed about the storm’s path and intensity.[12]
The potential impact of Idalia has been described as unprecedented for many locations in Florida’s Big Bend. The Apalachee Bay, in particular, has never experienced a major hurricane. The National Weather Service has emphasized the unique nature of this storm and warned against trying to compare it to others.
As the storm approaches, the National Weather Service has issued tropical storm watches and warnings for parts of eastern central Florida, including Orlando.[2] Residents are advised to prepare for local tropical storm conditions by Tuesday night and into Wednesday.
In addition to the threat of destructive winds and storm surge, the National Weather Service has also warned of the potential for tornadoes. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida, with the threat spreading northward as the storm moves through the state.[13]
Idalia is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the region, with the potential for torrential downpours and increasing tornado threats in eastern parts of Florida. The storm is also expected to exit into the Atlantic Ocean somewhere near Jacksonville.[2]
As Idalia approaches, preparations are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in its path. Evacuations, shelter openings, and the availability of sandbags are all part of the efforts to mitigate the impact of this powerful hurricane. With the storm intensifying and its projected path becoming clearer, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and follow the guidance of local authorities.
0. “Hurricane Idalia brings flash flood risk to Pensacola” Pensacola News Journal, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.pnj.com/story/weather/2023/08/29/hurricane-idalia-brings-flash-flood-risk-to-pensacola/70706753007/
1. “Hurricane Idalia: Florida residents REFUSE to evacuate Big Bend – with monster storm now predicted to make lan” Daily Mail, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12459431/hurricane-idalia-florida-refuse-evacuation-orders.html
2. “Hurricane Idalia path and timeline: When and where meteorologists project the storm will hit Florida” CBS News, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-idalia-path-2023-when-where-meteorologists-project-storm-hit-florida/
3. “Idalia’s winds expected to hit Jax early Wednesday” Jacksonville Today, 30 Aug. 2023, https://jaxtoday.org/2023/08/29/idalias-winds-expected-to-hit-jax-early-wednesday
4. “Hurricane Idalia timeline tracker: When and where to expect impacts in Florida as dangerous storm moves closer” Fox Weather , 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/hurricane-idalia-timeline-tracker-when-where-impacts-florida
5. “Idalia strengthens to Category 2 hurricane, takes aim at Florida’s Gulf coast” WESH 2 Orlando, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.wesh.com/article/hurricane-idalia-florida/44928671
6. “Hillsborough County Issues Mandatory Evacuation for Zone A Opens Shelters” Hillsborough County, 28 Aug. 2023, https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/newsroom/2023/08/28/hillsborough-county-issues-mandatory-evacuation-for-zone-a-opens-shelters
7. “Hurricane Idalia Live Updates: Volusia, Flagler prepare for hurricane” Daytona Beach News-Journal, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/weather/hurricane/2023/08/29/hurricane-idalia-live-updates-volusia-flagler-under-tropical-storm-warning/70702345007/
8. “Idalia Live Blog: Upgraded to Cat 2 Hurricane, tornado watches issued” WCJB, 27 Aug. 2023, https://www.wcjb.com/2023/08/29/idalia-live-blog-upgraded-cat-2-hurricane/
9. “KC-135s and Airmen Leave MacDill Ahead of Hurricane Idalia” Air & Space Forces Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/macdill-air-force-base-evacuates-hurricane-idalia/
10. “Hurricane Idalia-Update #4 Welcome to the City of Gainesville” City of Gainesville, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.gainesvillefl.gov/News-articles/Hurricane-Idalia-Update-4
11. “Hurricane Idalia expected to intensify into Category 4 storm before landfall in Big Bend” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/08/29/hurricane-idalia-forms-as-floridas-gulf-coast-braces-for-direct-hit/
12. “LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Idalia expected to make landfall in Florida as Category 4 storm” WFTV Orlando, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.wftv.com/news/local/hurricane-idalia-forms-southern-gulf-major-cat-3-storm-projected-impact-florida/2PKUJQUNNZGZZKWLOPPBZQSVKI/
13. “Idalia live updates: Forecast shows hurricane will be ‘extremely dangerous'” ABC News, 29 Aug. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/hurricane-idalia/idalias-latest-forecast-102614977?id=102614228
