Meteorologists are now predicting that Hurricane Idalia will intensify and transform into a Category 3 storm by the time it reaches the Florida Big Bend region early on Wednesday morning. A considerable population of 13 million residents is currently under either hurricane or tropical storm warnings.
According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service at 11 a.m., the storm’s sustained winds have currently reached 85 mph. However, these winds are anticipated to grow significantly as the storm approaches land. The coastal regions of Tampa Bay and Big Bend are under a storm surge warning ranging from 8 to 12 feet.
Hurricane Idalia is also projected to bring about substantial amounts of rain and rapid flooding across Florida’s western coastline, panhandle, and southern Georgia. Additionally, it will lead to heavy rainfall in the Carolinas on Wednesday and Thursday as the storm progresses in a northeast direction.
Compulsory evacuation orders have been put into effect for residents in multiple counties including Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Lafayette, Levy, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla. Meanwhile, voluntary evacuation alerts have been announced for seven other counties.
In preparation for Hurricane Idalia’s impending arrival, a state of emergency was declared earlier in the week, encompassing 46 counties in Florida. This declaration has resulted in the suspension of specific regulations pertaining to commercial motor vehicles involved in direct emergency aid. The emergency order will remain in effect until September 25, or until it is rescinded.
To handle the situation, the state’s Highway Patrol has 300 troopers ready for action, while 200 ambulances have been positioned inland, where Hurricane Idalia is projected to make landfall.
