Hurricane Idalia live updates - Idalia to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday
Idalia strengthened to Category 1 Hurricane, could become major hurricane before landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Idalia strengthened to hurricane strength on Tuesday morning as it plowed past Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm could rapidly intensify and become an extremely dangerous major hurricane before landfall on Wednesday. ...Read More
Idalia was centered about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. A hurricane warning was issued along hundreds of miles of Florida coastline.
"Rapid intensification is likely through landfall," said National Hurricane Center specialist Eric Blake. "Idalia is forecast to become an extremely dangerous major hurricane before landfall on Wednesday."
Follow all the updates here:
- Aug 29, 2023 11:37 pm IST
Hurricane Idalia threatens Florida coast with 'non-survivable' storm surge, urgent evacuations underway
Taylor County officials are sounding the alarm as Hurricane Idalia approaches Florida's Gulf Coast. Warning of potential catastrophic destruction and an unprecedented storm surge, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management emphasized that coastal regions could face a "non-survivable" surge. With a mandatory evacuation order in place for all coastal residents and those in vulnerable housing, the county urges residents to head northwest. As Hurricane Idalia looms, officials stress that first responders will be unable to assist once the storm strikes the area.
- Aug 29, 2023 11:37 pm IST
Georgia Governor declares state of emergency as Hurricane Idalia approaches
"Georgians in the expected impact area can and should take necessary steps to ensure their safety and that of their families," urged Governor Brian Kemp, who has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Idalia approaches. The governor emphasized the state's preparedness, stating, "We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia's landfall tomorrow, and I am taking this additional executive action to ensure state assets are ready to respond." The state of emergency signifies proactive measures to mitigate potential risks associated with the impending hurricane.
- Aug 29, 2023 10:55 pm IST
Tampa Mayor warns of storm surge, urges evacuation
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned residents of an expected storm surge and urged them to exercise caution throughout Wednesday. She said that while Tampa residents have not often experienced a tidal surge, they should expect one on Wednesday.
Castor also said that storm surge will probably be the most critical element on Wednesday and that even though the cone of predictability has shifted in Tampa's favor, history has proven that it is not always reliable. She encouraged everyone in evacuation zones to get out and said that residents do not need to leave the state, but they can go 10 to 20 miles inland and steer clear of low-lying areas.
- Aug 29, 2023 10:54 pm IST
Hurricane Idalia could be a 'historic' event for Florida Gulf Coast
Hurricane Idalia is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) in the Florida Gulf Coast, bringing a potential storm surge of 10 to 15 feet to the Big Bend area and 4 to 7 feet to the Tampa Bay area. This would be a once-in-a-lifetime event for this part of the state, as no major hurricane has tracked into Apalachee Bay since 1851.
- Aug 29, 2023 10:37 pm IST
Warm waters of Gulf of Mexico to strengthen Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia is forecast to strengthen as it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf is currently experiencing unseasonably warm water temperatures, which could help Idalia become a major hurricane. The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday morning.
- Aug 29, 2023 10:30 pm IST
Evacuation ordered for Florida coast ahead of potential 15-foot storm surge
Evacuations have been ordered along Florida's west coast ahead of a potential 15-foot storm surge from Hurricane Idalia. The National Hurricane Center said the surge could be catastrophic and cause widespread flooding. Residents in the affected areas were urged to heed the evacuation orders and move to higher ground.
The maximum water level measured after Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers Beach last fall was 15 feet. The hurricane center concluded in its post-Ian report that storm surge killed 41 people, more than any other single cause.
The U.S. Geological Survey, university researchers and professional storm chasers were out placing specialty equipment along the coast Tuesday to measure the expected surge. The geological survey said Idalia's surge could cause changes all along the state's west coast, washing over sandy beaches and cutting into dunes.
- Aug 29, 2023 10:29 pm IST
Retired nuclear plant braces for Hurricane Idalia
The retired Crystal River Nuclear Plant in Florida is bracing for Hurricane Idalia, which is currently forecast to make landfall in the state on Wednesday. The plant, which is located approximately 85 miles north of Tampa, is undergoing decommissioning and is no longer in operation. However, it still contains radioactive materials, so Duke Energy, the plant's owner, has implemented a plan to secure the site and protect the public in the event of a hurricane. This includes securing items that could become airborne, storing equipment, and ensuring that generators are supplied in case of power loss.
- Aug 29, 2023 10:10 pm IST
Hurricane Idalia to bring 'catastrophic surge' to west-central Florida and Big Bend coastline
Storm surge as high as 12 feet could slam the coast south of Florida's Big Bend, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"Idalia will likely bring 'catastrophic surge' to much of the west-central Florida and Big Bend coastline," said Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at Florida-based WeatherTiger. "It could become just the second Category 3 or higher hurricane to make landfall there in the past 170 years."
At least 22 of Florida's 67 counties have evacuation orders in place and schools have closed in many counties as residents prepare for high winds and potential flash flooding.
- Aug 29, 2023 08:25 pm IST
Hurricane Idalia expected to rapidly intensify into a powerful Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in Florida
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Tuesday that Hurricane Idalia is expected to "rapidly intensify" and could become a powerful Category 3 hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday.