Idalia set to make landfall in Florida at daybreak.

Hurricane Idalia ⁤Intensifies, Threatens Florida’s Big Bend

Hurricane Idalia is rapidly gaining strength and ‌heading towards Florida’s Big Bend. Forecasters and state officials are warning that its powerful 120 mile-per-hour​ winds could bring a devastating 15-foot wall of water ⁣when it makes landfall on Wednesday morning.

“It is ​definitely going to hit the ⁤Big Bend—everywhere⁤ in the Big‍ Bend,”

– Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

As⁣ of⁤ Tuesday evening, Idalia has become a Category‍ 2 hurricane ⁤with sustained⁤ winds over 100 miles per‌ hour. ⁣It is moving north at 16 mph, approximately 190 miles southwest of Tampa and 300 ⁢miles south of Tallahassee.

Idalia ‌is ⁢expected to make landfall along the 130-mile stretch from⁢ Florida’s‌ Nature ⁣Coast to⁣ the Aucilla River in the Big Bend area. The storm’s projected path has shifted westward, bringing it closer to the Panhandle ‍and increasing the potential impact on counties like Leon, Jefferson,⁢ and Collin.

“The impact is​ going to ‌be further north and it is going ​to bring more direct impacts into ‌counties ‌like Leon, Jefferson, and Collin counties,”

– Florida Gov. ⁤Ron ‍DeSantis

The most immediate danger from Idalia is​ its projected storm surge, which has ‌been steadily increasing ‍since⁢ Monday. ‍The‍ Big Bend area is expected ‌to experience ‌a‌ major storm surge, ​causing⁤ significant impacts even in⁤ areas not directly hit by the eye wall.

Florida’s Gulf Coast, from south⁢ of Tampa Bay to the Panhandle, ​is projected to see at least a‌ 7-foot storm surge. Tampa⁢ Bay, located about 150 miles south of the Big Bend, expects a 4-to-7 foot surge.

First⁤ Hurricane for Big Bend ‍Since 1896

Idalia has rapidly grown into a 150-mile wide hurricane within‍ just four days. It is the ⁢first named storm⁣ to​ make landfall in the United States‍ this hurricane season.

The Big Bend area, which has historically avoided direct landfall⁤ from major ⁢hurricanes, is⁢ facing ⁢an unprecedented event. The last major hurricane to hit the​ region was the Cedar​ Key storm in 1896.

Evacuations and Shelters

Evacuation orders are in place for tropical flood zones in low-lying coastal⁣ and inland areas across 28 counties. People living in these ‌areas are urged to evacuate ​immediately.

More than ​three dozen shelters are open along ⁤Florida’s Gulf Coast, with additional shelters ‍opening throughout the northern part of ⁢the state. Floridians are ⁣encouraged ⁢to seek shelter within the state and not to drive long distances.

For ‌those evacuating, ‍hotels ⁤throughout the state are​ offering real-time availability through Expedia. Additionally,⁢ hotels in Florida ‌have waived their ⁤no-pet policies to accommodate evacuees with pets.

States of Emergency

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of ‌emergency in 49⁢ of the state’s 67 counties. Inland Brevard, Orange, and Osceola⁤ counties were added to the list on ⁤Tuesday. ‍President Joe Biden⁣ has​ also​ declared a federal state of emergency ⁢for Florida.

Idalia is⁣ projected⁣ to move north into the Carolinas, prompting states like North⁣ Carolina and Georgia to declare their ⁣own states of emergency.

National Guard and Coast⁤ Guard

Florida’s National Guard has⁤ been ​fully activated and positioned near expected landfall areas. The⁣ Coast‍ Guard is also prepared ⁤to respond to the storm.