Hurricane Idalia roared toward Florida’s Gulf coast on Tuesday, threatening storm surge and devastating winds that prompted evacuation orders ahead of an expected landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.
The intensifying storm is projected to have sustained winds of up to 120 mph as it approaches the state.
“Idalia probably has another 24 to 30 hours on the water, and it will continue to move north toward the Big Bend of Florida,” where the state’s panhandle transitions to its peninsula, Fox meteorologist Cody Braud told The Post.
The nasty storm – expected to make landfall between 6 a.m. and noon Wednesday – has put about 14 million Floridians under hurricane and tropical storm warnings.
The intensifying storm is expected to make landfall in Florida by Wednesday morning. Reuters
As Floridians braced for bad weather — loading sandbags and evacuating homes along the Gulf coast — Idalia dumped heavy rain on Cuba, especially on the westernmost part of the island.
Cubans rushed to evacuate the province’s coastal towns Monday as brown floodwaters knee-deep in people flooded homes and rain lashed the tobacco-rich region of Pinar del Rio.
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from Pinar del Rio as well as the nearby Artemisa plantation region.
Idalia lashed Cuba with heavy rain Monday through Tuesday, flooding many homes with knee-deep water. AFP via Getty Images
The locals are getting ready for Idalia. via REUTERS
After passing over the western tip of Cuba on Tuesday morning, Idalia moved north, reaching maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
Forecasters predict Idalia’s winds will quickly pick up speed and reach up to 120 mph, which would make it a dangerous major hurricane.
“As we track the next 24 hours, we certainly expect the storm to make a very rapid upgrade to a major hurricane right as it makes its approach to land,” Braud said.
Idalia reached 70 mph winds after barreling past Cuba. Reuters
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 46 of the state’s 67 counties as thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to the area ahead of the storm’s impact.
“Back for this one,” DeSantis said during a press conference Monday afternoon.
“Do what you have to do. You still have time today. You have most of tomorrow,” he said, urging Floridians to prepare for dangerous conditions, which could occur as early as Tuesday night.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 46 counties ahead of the storm’s expected landfall Wednesday.AP
Large swaths of Florida’s west coast are at risk for storm surge and flooding. There were evacuation notices issued for residents in 21 districts, with mandatory orders in place for some people in eight districts living in low-lying and coastal areas.
Residents along the coast and in the Big Bend region could see anywhere from 8 to 12 feet of water surging ashore, raising concerns for catastrophic flooding. Meanwhile, residents located further inland may experience freshwater flooding due to rain.
When Idalia exits Florida later this week, it will move through Georgia and the Carolinas, which can expect to see “quite a bit of disruption,” especially in coastal areas, Braud said.
There were evacuation notices issued for residents in 21 counties in Florida ahead of the storm. Getty Images
A man carries a woman on his back as he wades through knee-deep water. AFP via Getty Images
Both Southwest Florida and Cuba are still recovering from Hurricane Ian, which was responsible for more than 100 deaths last year and left some Florida residents without power for more than a month.
Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater said they will be closed Tuesday, and Sunrail commuter rail service in Orlando is suspended.
President Biden on Monday said he had approved an emergency declaration for Florida.
The 2023 hurricane season is expected to be busier than early forecasts, in part due to extremely warm ocean temperatures, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
Hurricane season lasts until Nov 30.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
