Topline
Tropical Storm Idalia continued to strengthen and is forecast to become a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico early on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center warned as Florida prepares to face its most severe storm since last year’s category 4 Hurricane Ian.
Members of the Tampa, Fla., Parks and Recreation Dept., help residents load sandbags in Tampa, Fla. … [+]
Key Facts
According to the National Hurricane Center’s advisory, Idalia is set to become a hurricane on Tuesday morning and a “major hurricane” over the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico early on Wednesday.
A hurricane warning and storm surge warning are now in effect in parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay.
Idalia is expected to make landfall along the Gulf Coast as a category 3 hurricane with sustained wind speeds of “111 mph or greater,” the National Weather Services’ Tampa Bay office warned.
The hurricane is also expected to bring dangerous storm surges between 8 to 12 feet along the northern part of the state’s Gulf Coast, with Tampa Bay seeing surges of 4 to 7 feet.
Earlier on Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across 46 counties in the state and ordered the mobilization of 2,500 guardsmen to help with preparedness and response efforts.
President Joe Biden also approved a state of emergency declaration for Florida, allowing for federal assistance to be provided to the states.
Crucial Quote
In a press conference on Monday, DeSantis urged people to heed evacuation orders, saying: “We can rebuild someone’s home…You can’t unring the bell, though, if somebody stays in harm’s way and does battle with Mother Nature. This is not something that you want to do battle with.”
Tangent
Hurricane Franklin, the first major hurricane in the Atlantic this season, remained a category 4 storm with sustained wind speeds of 145 mph early on Tuesday morning as it moved northward along the ocean. While the hurricane itself does not pose any threat to the U.S. mainland, it is generating “life-threatening surf and rip currents” that are affecting the southeast coast, the NHC said. These severe rip currents are expected to move northwards over the next few days, impacting the rest of the east coast.
Further Reading
Tropical Storm Idalia is nearing Florida. Residents are being urged to wrap up their preparations (Associated Press)
Idalia Expected To Make Landfall In Florida As Category 2 Hurricane (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/08/29/idalia-continues-to-intensify-prompting-hurricane-warnings-across-parts-of-floridas-gulf-coast/