Tropical Storm Idalia is predicted to strengthen into a deadly Category 3 hurricane
Tropical Storm Idalia is rapidly gaining strength as it heads towards Florida, and there’s a worrying possibility that it might escalate into a dangerous Category 3 storm by the time it hits the coastline. Brace yourself for a mix of heavy rainfall, fierce winds, and potentially damaging storm surges.
The experts at the National Hurricane Center anticipate that Idalia will transform into a hurricane by Monday and make its presence known on Wednesday morning, aiming for a landfall near Florida’s Big Bend area. This isn’t just your average hurricane; it’s projected to become a major hurricane, bringing considerable danger with it.
As the storm grows more powerful, there’s an increasing likelihood of “life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds” targeting certain parts of Florida. These warnings were sounded early on Monday by the hurricane center.
Right now, the storm is swirling about 125 miles away from the western tip of Cuba. The hurricane center’s 5 a.m. update reports that it’s whipping up sustained winds of 65 mph. Interestingly, Idalia has been rather unpredictable in its movement, almost stationary. However, a change is expected as it gradually shifts towards the north-northeast and north, potentially bringing its center over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf Coast of Florida is on alert, with a hurricane watch encompassing areas from Englewood to India Pass, including Tampa Bay. There’s also a tropical storm warning for the Dry Tortugas region in Florida, and a tropical storm watch for the Lower Florida Keys on the west side of the Seven Mile Bridge.
Starting late Monday, the Dry Tortugas could experience tropical storm conditions, while the Florida Gulf coast might encounter them on Tuesday.
With the impending arrival of this storm later in the week, Florida has swiftly deployed teams ready for water rescues. Local officials are advising evacuations, shutting down schools, and urging residents to secure their properties.
Based on the current forecast, western Cuba is bracing for hurricane conditions by Monday’s end. Even Pinar del Rio is under a hurricane warning, indicating the urgency of preparations.
As Idalia approaches, the Tampa Bay area could witness a storm surge of 4-7 feet above regular tidal levels. The most substantial surge is expected in Florida’s Big Bend area, where ocean levels might rise over 10 feet higher than the usual tide levels. When this happens, areas usually dry near the coast might experience flooding.
Get ready for scattered flash floods and urban flooding across parts of Florida’s west coast, the Florida Panhandle, and southern Georgia. Idalia is set to bring heavy rainfall, with expected amounts between 3 to 6 inches and isolated areas potentially seeing up to 10 inches from Tuesday through Wednesday.
The Carolinas could also face flash flooding as a result of heavy rainfall on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday. Western Cuba might see similar rainfall amounts, with isolated spots getting as much as 10 inches.
Florida is bracing for the impact of Idalia. Governor Ron DeSantis has advised residents to heed local officials’ warnings and be prepared. The state’s emergency operations center has kicked into high gear, and the National Guardsmen, equipped with rescue vehicles and aircraft, are ready to assist. The Florida Highway Patrol also stands by with 300 troopers on standby.
Power companies are preparing to act, anticipating potential outages due to the storm. Governor DeSantis encourages residents in the storm’s path to expect power disruptions and plan accordingly.
Tampa, situated in Hillsborough County, has declared a local state of emergency in anticipation of Idalia’s potential impact. Citrus County, on the other hand, has also initiated a local state of emergency, leading to adjusted school schedules and voluntary evacuations for some vulnerable areas.
In line with this, Hernando County Schools will be closed for Monday through Wednesday. The storm has prompted voluntary evacuations in some parts of Hernando County, especially for those residing in coastal and low-lying regions or in structures not well-equipped to withstand tropical storm conditions.
As we keep a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Idalia, the residents of Florida are banding together and making their preparations to face whatever challenges it might bring.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
