MIAMI, FL (352today.com/AP) – Idalia became a hurricane on Tuesday as it intensified on a path toward Florida’s Gulf coast, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning of an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds in Florida in the next two days.
The Latest Forecast
As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, Idalia was located 85 miles north of the western tip of Cuba about 370 miles south-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
It’s projected to have sustained winds of up to 120 mph as it approaches Florida, the NHC said. That would make it a Category 3 hurricane.
Idalia is expected to start affecting Florida with hurricane-force winds as soon as late Tuesday and arrive on the coast by Wednesday.
Large parts of the Nature Coast are at risk for storm surges and floods. Evacuation notices have been issued in 21 counties with mandatory orders for some people in eight of those counties. Many of the notices were for people in low-lying and coastal areas, for those living in structures such as mobile and manufactured homes, recreational vehicles and boats, and for people who would be vulnerable in a power outage. In Levy County, officials said residents of Cedar Key must be off the island by Tuesday evening because storm surges would make bridges impassable. “Once the storm surge comes in, help may not be available to reach you,” the county said in a public advisory.
Many school districts along the Gulf Coast said they would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Several colleges and universities said they would close their campuses on Tuesday, including the University of Florida in Gainesville.
After moving across Florida, Idalia is forecast to blow through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.