People in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida are preparing for the arrival of what forecasters think will be a major hurricane when it makes landfall Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Idalia had maximum sustained winds just below the threshold of hurricane strength late Monday, with the National Hurricane Center saying it expected the storm to quickly strengthen during the day Tuesday.
Hurricane warnings were in place along a large stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, including the city of Tampa.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a “major impact” to the state and announced a state of emergency in 46 counties. Authorities urged people in 21 counties to evacuate ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Tropical Storm Idalia may rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rain are all expected in parts of Florida later Tuesday through Wednesday, spreading to the Southeast coast by Wednesday and Thursday.
President Joe Biden, who spoke by telephone with DeSantis Monday, approved an emergency order for the state.
Florida mobilized 1,100 National Guard troops to prepare for rescue and recovery efforts.
Before reaching Florida, Idalia brought flooding rains to western Cuba.
Keep following our website Usacharged.com for more upcoming updates.
