Hurricane Idalia could be the strongest storm to hit the Florida curve in a century. According to forecasts, it could develop into a category 3 storm with wind speeds of 240 km/h and a storm surge of 3.70 m.
The major storm is currently raging about 80 miles off the western tip of Cuba and is hurtling north toward Florida with winds now reaching 70 miles per hour. At 8 p.m. Monday, the National Hurricane Center said Idalia had nearly achieved hurricane status.
It is expected to develop into a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph and gusts of up to 150 mph before making landfall while generating storm surges of up to 12 feet.
The storm’s increasing intensity and its northerly direction resulted in hurricane and tropical storm warnings being issued to about 14 million Florida residents along the Gulf of Mexico.
Authorities warned that the greatest threat to life from the storm would come from swelling walls of seawater, which would be pushed inland by strong winds and inundate low-lying coastal areas.
The National Weather Service also said storm surge and hurricane conditions could cause flash flooding from northern Florida to the Carolinas.
“There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge from Idalia along parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast where a storm surge warning is in place, including Tampa Bay and the Big Bend region,” they said.
“Residents in these areas should follow all advice from local authorities.”
According to abc news, no hurricane has ever hit the Big Bend region harder than a Category 3.
Should Idalia land, it would be the first in the region since Gladys in 1968, the outlet reported.
“Buckle your seat belt,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference Monday afternoon, adding that he spoke with US President Joe Biden and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Deanne Criswell.
“Do what you have to do.” You still have time today. “You have most of tomorrow,” he said, urging Florida residents to prepare for the potentially dangerous conditions.
Florida residents have already been spotted preparing for the storm by filling sandbags for themselves and their fellow residents.
Meanwhile, supermarkets were stormed by people looking for last-minute supplies as the storm approached.
Idalia was expected to reach hurricane strength late Monday and reach Category 3 strength by the time it made landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Hurricane center forecasts indicated that the center of Idalia is on track to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area, where the state’s Gulf Coast panhandle merges into its peninsular region.
Torrential rain of 4 to 8 inches in intensity could hit Florida’s Gulf Coast through Tuesday, which could trigger isolated flooding.
Daytona Beach residents fill sandbags at Bethune Point Park, Monday, August 28, 2023
Hillsborough County residents collect sandbags at the Himes Ave complex in Tampa, Florida on August 28, 2023 in preparation for the landfall of Tropical Storm Idalia
Tyrel Brooks helps Hillsborough County residents collect sandbags at the Himes Ave complex in Tampa, Florida on August 28, 2023 in preparation for Tropical Storm Idalia making landfall. Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane when it reaches Florida late Tuesday
Hillsborough County residents collect sandbags at the Himes Ave complex on August 28, 2023 in Tampa, Florida
Brooke Painter loads personal belongings into a van as she and her family evacuate their vacation home before Hurricane Idalia could hit Tampa, Florida August 28, 2023
Owen Pope, a student at Eckerd College of South Carolina, packs his car after students were ordered to vacate campus Monday, August 28, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla
Local grocery stores suffer from empty shelves as locals rush for supplies August 28 in Tampa
Local grocery stores suffer from empty shelves as locals scramble for supplies in Tampa, Florida on August 28, 2023 in preparation for making landfall in the face of Tropical Storm Idalia
A Home Depot employee fills a cart with crates of water and hauls them to their front door as customers prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia in Ocala, Fla
The National Hurricane Center warned Saturday that the system could bring dangerous storm surges, heavy rain and strong winds to Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle by midweek
Spectacular satellite images show the storm moving toward Florida’s west coast in crackling light.
Along with the heavy rain, winds of more than 177 km/h could lead to life-threatening storm surges, the hurricane center warned.
School districts across the region have canceled classes beginning Monday afternoon. Tampa International Airport planned to cease commercial operations beginning at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.
DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 46 counties in Florida. About 5,500 National Guard soldiers were mobilized and thousands of electricity workers stood ready to help restore power quickly after the storm passed.
A man is evacuated from a flooded street as Storm Idalia hits Cuba August 28, 2023 in Guanimar, Cuba
People on a flooded street pass a picture of the late revolutionary hero Ernesto “Che” Guevara as Storm Idalia hits Cuba August 28, 2023 in Guanimar, Cuba
Images show the destruction caused by deadly Hurricane Ian in Florida last September
Forecast models don’t show the center of the storm approaching the areas of southwest Florida where deadly Hurricane Ian struck last year.
The devastating Category 5 storm left a trail of destruction in Florida as homes were reduced to mere piles of rubble.
So far this year, the US east coast has been spared hurricanes.
But out west, earlier in the month, Tropical Storm Hilary caused widespread flooding, mudslides and road closures in Mexico, California, Nevada and the north.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently said the 2023 hurricane season will be far busier than originally forecast, due in part to extremely warm sea temperatures. The season lasts through November 30th, with August and September usually at their peak.