The Weather Channel reports:
Hurricane Idalia is producing bands of heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding in Florida as it continues to intensify over the Gulf of Mexico ahead of its likely landfall at Category 3 strength Wednesday morning.
Catastrophic, life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds and heavy rain are all expected along portions of the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Parts of south Georgia and the Carolinas will also see significant impacts from Idalia.
Water levels were running about 1 to 2 feet above normal from Naples to Fort Myers and the Tampa Bay area with the midday high tide. Some low-lying areas have seen inundation from this coastal flooding.
Read the full article.
BREAKING: Hurricane Idalia strengthens to a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds as it barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. https://t.co/C7Y6DzBqz4
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 29, 2023
#Idalia is really ramping up now. I wouldn’t rule out a Category 4 before landfall tomorrow morning in the Florida Big Bend. #flwx 🌀 pic.twitter.com/tqB9xofKqZ
— Dylan Federico (@DylanFedericoWX) August 29, 2023
Idalia, as seen from Key West and Tampa radars pic.twitter.com/xERvZBXgXu
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) August 29, 2023
Earlier this afternoon, we used our new FloodFX Simulation technology to show what nine feet of #Idalia storm surge would look like in Cedar Key, Florida, where is stationed: pic.twitter.com/db70HozyIx
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 29, 2023
If you are in #Idalia‘s path, you TODAY IS YOUR LAST DAY TO PREPARE.
Wind speeds will increase to tropical storm force tonight/tomorrow morning in the hurricane warning area, and continue to increase – making further preparation impossible. If an evacuation has been ordered,… pic.twitter.com/2LmcJyb9py
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 29, 2023
5PM EDT 29 Aug: #Idalia to bring catastrophic impacts from storm surge inundation . Residents in these areas should follow any advice or evacuation orders given by local officials. Make sure to stay informed with latest updates at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/jYnbfkkcyS
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 29, 2023
HURRICANE IDALIA PREP: Idalia has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane, according to the NHC, which warned of “life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions.”
Idalia is set to make landfall Wednesday morning north of Tampa.
LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/A7MXK4OE8V pic.twitter.com/AAqtyfMnFw
— ABC News (@ABC) August 29, 2023
