NWS: Hurricane Idalia Threatens Florida with Unprecedented Danger.

Hurricane Idalia Set to Make Unprecedented Impact on Florida

Hurricane Idalia is expected to careen into Florida ⁤on Wednesday in a way not previously observed ⁣in recorded history, ‍according to forecasters working for⁣ the federal government.

The Tallahassee ​office of the National Weather Service⁤ (NWS)⁢ warned on Tuesday that Idalia will “likely be an‍ unprecedented event for many locations in the Florida Big Bend,” a moniker given​ to the region⁢ where the state’s panhandle connects to the peninsula ‍along the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane #Idalia will likely be an unprecedented event for⁣ many ‍locations in the ⁤Florida Big Bend. Looking back through recorded history, NO major hurricanes have ever moved through the ‌Apalachee Bay. When you try to compare this storm⁤ to others,​ DON’T. No one has ‌seen⁢ this. pic.twitter.com/m9X8dcarc5

— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) August 29,​ 2023

Potential Devastation

A major hurricane is one that is Category 3 or above, according to‍ the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind ⁣Scale. As of midday ​on Tuesday, the forecast called ⁤for Idalia’s ‍center⁤ to make landfall over the Big Bend region somewhere between Panama City and Tampa early on ​Wednesday. Still, forecasters have cautioned‍ that the storm’s bands and impacts stretch far beyond just the core. They have ⁤also said the predicted track of⁤ the​ storm‍ may shift​ over time.

Heavy rain, flooding,‌ storm surge up to 15⁤ feet ​ above ground level, strong winds, and even ⁣tornados could affect Florida as well as‍ neighboring ⁣states. After sweeping across Florida, Idalia may hug​ the coast and move northeast as a⁢ diminished⁢ system along the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas ‌before ​curling out to the Atlantic Ocean by the end of the week.

11 AM EDT 29 Aug #Idalia strengthens, with catastrophic storm surge‍ expected in the Big Bend region. Residents⁢ in ‍these areas ​should ⁣follow any advice or evacuation ​orders ‌given by⁤ local officials. Make sure to stay informed with latest updates at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/MkORCjjpi6

— ​National‍ Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 29, 2023

Preparations and Evacuations

An assortment‍ of evacuation orders ‍ have been given in counties in and around the Big Bend region. The NWS Tallahassee Office said preparations⁣ and evacuations “need to be rushed to completion” ⁤before sunset on Tuesday as conditions are expected to⁢ “rapidly” deteriorate into the evening.

Emergency ⁣shelters are opening up across⁤ parts of Florida, ​utility workers are preparing for ‍widespread power‌ outages, and tolls⁢ have been suspended to ⁤facilitate travel. In addition, ‍schools are closing across Florida, sandbags are being ‍made available to residents, and‌ Tampa International Airport suspended commercial operations on Tuesday.

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Government Response

“If you are under‌ an evacuation order, remember⁣ that you do NOT need to drive hundreds of miles. Find higher ground and listen to your local officials,” Governor Ron DeSantis‍ (R-FL) said in⁤ a post to X.

If you are under an evacuation order,⁣ remember that you do NOT need to drive hundreds of⁢ miles.

Find higher ground and listen to your local officials. pic.twitter.com/ronwZCfxb4

— ⁢Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August‌ 29, 2023

The governor⁣ paused his presidential campaign and has been working to oversee the state’s ‍efforts to prepare for ⁤the storm. Desantis has‌ directed people ‌to follow the Florida Division of Emergency Management for the most up-to-date information and on Tuesday‍ expanded the number of counties ⁣under a state of emergency to 49.

President Joe Biden has also approved an emergency declaration for Florida, unlocking federal ‌assistance for state,​ tribal, and local response efforts ‌related to Idalia.