Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall Wednesday as an ‘extremely dangerous” storm. Image courtesy NOAA
Hurricane Idalia strengthened into a Category 4 storm early Wednesday, and forecasters are warning it could continue to intensify before making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend in the next few hours.
Forecasters are warning that “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” generated by Hurricane Idalia were nearing the Big Bend region of the southern state, which is where North Florida and the Floridan Panhandle meet. Advertisement
The National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. update that Idalia was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and was moving north-northeast at 18 mph.
It said Idalia was located about 60 miles west of Cedar Key, Fla., and 90 miles south of Tallahassee, Fla.
“A north-northeastward motion is expected through the morning, with Idalia’s center forecast to reach the Big Bend coast of Florida this morning,” it said. “After landfall, Idalia is forecast to turn toward the northeast and east-northeast, moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina late today and Thursday.” Advertisement
The storm could continue to strengthen before making landfall, after which it should begin to weaken but is forecast to remain a hurricane while streaking across southern Georgia.
“Idalia should emerge off the southeastern United States coast early on Thursday and move eastward through late week,” it said.
A storm surge warning is in effect for Englewood northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay, and for St. Catherine’s Sound to South Santee River, while a hurricane warning is in effect for the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay, and for the east coast of the United States from Altamaha Sound, Ga., to Edisto Beach, S.C.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Chokoloskee northward to the Middle of Longboat Key; West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach and Sebastian Inlet, Fla., to South Santee River, S.C.; and for north of Surf City, N.C., to the North Carolina/Virginia border; and Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
A storm surge watch is in effect for Chokoloskee nortward to Englewood, including Charlotte Harbor and the mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Sante River, S.C.
A hurricane watch was in effect for the mouth of St. Mary’s River to Edisto Beach, S.C., while a tropical storm watch was in effect for the lower Florida Keys west of the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge and North of Surf City, N.C., to the North Carolina-Virginia border and for Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. Advertisement
The NHC said the combination of dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause dry areas near the coast to flood.
From Wakulla/Jefferson County to Yankeetown in Florida, the water levels could reach as high as 16 feet if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide, it said, adding that the Ochlockonee River and from Yankeetown to Chassahowitzka could hit 12 feet. Meanwhile, the Chassahowitzka to Anclote River could hit 9 feet.
Portions of Florida’s west coast, the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia and eastern Carolinas are forecast to receive between 4 to 8 inches of rain between Tuesday and Thursday with isolated higher totals of 12 inches, primarily near where the storm is expected to make landfall.
Idalia is gaining strength as Hurricane Franklin approaches Florida from the southeast. The NHC says Franklin is expected to reach Bermuda by Wednesday. Its path will then curve along the East Coast.
