Idalia set to make landfall Tuesday as Category 3 hurricane in Florida
Tropical Storm Idalia is on track to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall Tuesday morning in Florida, where forecasters warn of a “life-threatening” storm surge, robust wind gusts and heavy rainfall.
The storm sustained 65-mph winds early Monday about 125 miles off the western coast of Cuba, where it is predicted to bring heavy rainfall 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 the west coast of Florida.
The severe weather should hit areas like Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg midday before Idalia makes landfall, according to Fox Weather meteorologist Christopher Tate.
“The biggest threat from Idalia will be storm surge, as the larger population center is going to be on the eastern side of the storm and that’s the dirtier side of the hurricane,” Tate told The Post.
“That’s where you see the stronger winds, the worst surge, and the heaviest rainfall totals as well.”
“So it’s going to be a terrible day to have any plans at all. People should be — if they’re not evacuating — they should be ready to shelter in place. Coastal areas are going to be hit particularly hard,” Tate added.
Along much of Florida’s west coast, up to 11 feet of ocean water could surge onshore, raising concerns of catastrophic flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“That’s 11 feet of water above normally dry ground, ” Tate warned, adding that just a few feet of storm surge is enough to cause significant urban flooding.
In addition to heavy rains, hurricane-strength winds above 100 miles per hour — with gusts reaching as high as 130 mph at times — are expected just after the hurricane makes landfall Tuesday.
“That type of wind also causes a lot of roof damage, downed trees and power lines,” Tate said. “Structures are going to be threatened from the magnitude of the winds that are expected, particularly 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,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“If you are in the path of this storm, you should expect power outages,” DeSantis said. “So please prepare for that, particularly if this storm ends up coming in the Tallahassee region, there’s a lot trees that are going to get knocked down, the power lines are going to get knocked down — that is just going to happen, so just be prepared for that and be able to do what you need to do.”
Thirty-three Florida counties are under a state of emergency, the state emergency management agency said.
DeSantis also urged residents not to delay their preparations for the storm, recalling the forecast for Hurricane Ian last year, which at one point had a potential landfall in the Florida Panhandle.
Ian made landfall in southwest Florida as a major hurricane.
“The models are probably more in agreement than when we had Ian last year. But these things can shift. There’s still some uncertainty out there,” DeSantis added.
Florida emergency officials on Sunday urged residents to keep their vehicle gas tanks at least half-full in case they need to evacuate.
“This will ensure you can evacuate tens of miles inland to a safe location should the need arise,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said on social media.
With Post wires
