DeSantis warns as Hurricane Idalia approaches Florida.
Tropical Storm Idalia Set to Strengthen into Category 3 Hurricane
Tropical Storm Idalia is on track to become a powerful Category 3 hurricane as it approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning, according to the latest forecast model released by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday.
The storm, currently with winds of 65 mph and nearing Category 1 strength, is about 90 miles south of Cuba’s western portion. NHC forecasters have already issued tropical storm warnings for Florida’s Dry Tortugas, an island located west of the Florida Keys.
It is highly likely that hurricane warnings will be issued for Florida in the next few hours. The NHC stated on Monday that Idalia is expected to become a hurricane as it nears western Cuba later today, with “life-threatening” conditions becoming increasingly likely for parts of the state.
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“This motion should continue through Tuesday as Idalia moves between a mid-level trough over the central Gulf of Mexico and a strengthening ridge over the Greater Antilles,” stated the NHC’s forecast discussion. “The storm is likely to move faster to the north-northeast and northeast by early Wednesday due to a deeper trough that is expected to swing across the mid-western United States.”
The NHC emphasized that while the new forecast is similar to the previous one, even a small deviation in the track could significantly alter Idalia’s landfall location in Florida along the west coast of the state.
As the storm gains strength and approaches the United States, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican 2024 presidential candidate, issued a warning to residents during a news conference on Sunday. He urged all Gulf Coast residents to stay alert, as the storm’s path may wobble and change direction.
“I would just caution people to remain vigilant,” he said. “I would just say to anybody on the Gulf Coast, certainly from Tampa all the way up to places like Bay County, you should absolutely be very vigilant right now.”
The governor also stressed the importance of following the storm’s track and declared a state of emergency for 33 Florida counties ahead of Idalia’s landfall. He encouraged municipalities and electric companies to accept mutual aid to expedite power restoration after the storm, citing the faster recovery experienced by areas that accepted mutual aid after Hurricane Ian last year.
The western coast of Florida is particularly vulnerable to storm surges when tropical storms or hurricanes approach. Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, warned on Sunday that even a relatively weak system or a near miss could result in significant storm surge. He urged residents along the Florida Peninsula, from Fort Myers northward to the Panhandle, to pay close attention.
In addition, Mexico’s National Meteorological Service issued a warning for intense torrential rains and strong winds in the Yucatan Peninsula, with potential waves and flooding in coastal cities of the Yucatán and Quintana Roo states.
Florida emergency officials advised residents to keep their vehicle gas tanks at least half-full in case of evacuation. The Florida Division of Emergency Management emphasized the importance of being prepared to evacuate to a safe location tens of miles inland if necessary.
Florida has already mobilized 1,100 National Guard members and has a fleet of 2,400 high-water vehicles available for response efforts.
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