Tropical Storm Idalia was on track to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall Tuesday morning in Florida, where forecasters warned of a “life-threatening” storm surge, strong winds and heavy rain.
The storm sustained 65-mph winds early Monday about 125 miles off the west coast of Cuba, where it is forecast to bring heavy rain and hurricane-force winds later in the day.
Idalia is expected to strengthen into a hurricane early Tuesday as it moves from the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida’s west coast.
Severe weather is expected to hit areas such as Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg midday before Idalia made landfall, according to Fox Weather meteorologist Christopher Tate.
“The biggest threat from Idalia is storm surge, because the larger population centers will be to the east of the storm and that’s the dirtier part of the hurricane,” Tate told The Post.
“That’s where you see the strongest winds, the worst surges, and the heaviest amounts of rain as well.”
The National Hurricane Center warned that Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane before it reaches Florida. Fox weather
“So it would be a terrible day to have any plans at all. People should — if they’re not evacuating — they should be prepared to shelter in place. Coastal areas will be severely affected,” added Tate.
Along much of Florida’s west coast, up to 11 feet of seawater could make landfall, raising fears of major flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“That’s 11 feet of water over normally dry land,” Tate warned, adding that just a few feet of storm surge would be enough to cause significant urban flooding.
In addition to heavy rain, hurricane-force winds in excess of 100 miles per hour — with gusts reaching as high as 130 mph at times — are expected shortly after the hurricane makes landfall on Tuesday.
“That type of wind also caused a lot of roof damage, downed trees and power lines,” Tate said. “Structures will be at risk from the magnitude of the expected winds, especially along the coast.”
Florida has mobilized 1,100 National Guard members and has “2,400 high-water vehicles, as well as 12 aircraft that can be used for rescue and recovery efforts,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
“If you’re in the path of this storm, you should expect power outages,” DeSantis said. “So please be prepared for that, especially if this storm ends up in the Tallahassee area, there’s going to be a lot of trees down, power lines down — that’s just going to happen, so just be prepared for that and be able to do what you have to do.”
Idalia is expected to land in Florida on Tuesday. Fox weather
Florida officials are urging residents to remain vigilant ahead of the storm. Fox weather
A dangerous storm surge could bring up to 11 feet of water to parts of Florida. Fox weather
Thirty-three Florida counties are under a state of emergency, the state’s emergency management agency said.
DeSantis also urged residents not to delay their preparations for the storm, recalling last year’s forecast for Hurricane Ian, which at one point had the potential to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle.
Ian made landfall in southwest Florida as a major hurricane.
The storm is expected to drop up to 12 inches of rain on parts of Florida’s west coast. Fox weather
“The models are probably more agreeable than when we had Ian last year. But this can change. There’s still some uncertainty out there,” DeSantis added.
Florida emergency officials on Sunday urged residents to keep their vehicles’ gas tanks at least half full in case they need to evacuate.
“This will ensure you can evacuate dozens of miles inland to a safe location if necessary,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said on social media.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
