Florida is bracing for a “major” hurricane as now Tropical Storm Idalia strengthens. It is expected to make landfall on the west coast of the state this week, according to the latest projections from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as Gov. Ron DeSantis warns those in the path of the storm to “expect power outages.”
On Sunday, NHC projected that Tropical Storm Idalia would develop into a hurricane and approach the Sunshine State on Tuesday and Wednesday. One interesting factor at play is the reality of a supermoon and the affect that will already have on tide levels. Monday morning’s update has Idalia forecast to “become a major hurricane before it reaches the Gulf coast of Florida,” as the NHC warns of ”life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds all portions of the west coast of Florida and the Florid Panhandle beginning as early as late Tuesday.”
Major hurricanes are any storm Category 3 and up, with winds at at least 111 mph.
Current projections show the storm still as a Category 1 hurricane as it makes its way across the Sunshine State into Georgia.
Tropical Storm #Idalia Advisory 7A: Idalia Forecast to Become a Hurricane When it Nears Western Cuba Later Today. Life-Threatening Storm Surge and Dangerous Winds Becoming Increasingly Likely For Portions of Florida. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 28, 2023
Here are your Monday am Key Messages for Tropical Storm Idalia. The system is forecast to become a dangerous major hurricane over the NE Gulf of Mexico by early Wednesday. Hurricane warnings could be issued for portions of Florida later today. More: https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/Xi0lTsrcZL
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 28, 2023
Idalia is now expected to make landfall as a major hurricane. South Georgia should prepare for a Category One Hurricane on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/Vycep10UzG
— Andrew Gorton WTOC (@AndrewGortonWx) August 28, 2023
Over the weekend, DeSantis, who is refraining from campaigning out of state on Monday in order to assist in hurricane preparations, declared a state of emergency for 33 counties to help them prepare.
I’ve signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L. Issuing this order today ensures communities have time to prepare for the storm system which could have impacts along the Gulf Coast next week.
Floridians should have a…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 26, 2023
“We are preparing for impacts from Tropical Storm #Idalia, which is expected to strengthen over the coming days before impacting the Gulf Coast mid-week. Florida has resources on standby that are ready to deploy as needed,” DeSantis said in a Sunday update, also warning residents in the path of the storm to “expect power outages.”
Governor Ron DeSantis Delivers Update on Tropical Storm Idalia https://t.co/i6QRY3RLh3
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 27, 2023
We are preparing for impacts from Tropical Storm #Idalia, which is expected to strengthen over the coming days before impacting the Gulf Coast mid-week. Florida has resources on standby that are ready to deploy as needed.
Follow @FLSERT for updates.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 27, 2023
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has continued to provide updates, releasing a list of hurricane watches and storm surge watches for several Florida counties.
🚨 Sun. 8/27 6:30PM: Hurricane Watches are in effect for Citrus, Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Coastal Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Sumter, Taylor & Wakulla.
7 additional counties are under Tropical Storm Watches. pic.twitter.com/2od1ed5bYf
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) August 27, 2023
🚨 Sun. 8/27 6:45PM: Storm Surge Watches are in effect for Coastal Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, & Wakulla counties. pic.twitter.com/6me0unIk0r
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) August 27, 2023
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