Hurricane Idalia is rapidly intensifying and is expected to become an extremely dangerous major storm as it heads towards Florida’s Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings of life-threatening winds and floods associated with this powerful hurricane. Idalia is forecasted to make landfall on Wednesday in an area that includes Tampa, with its center currently located about 85 miles north of the western tip of Cuba.
With maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, Hurricane Idalia is projected to move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico before reaching northern Florida and then nearing the Carolina coastline by Thursday. If it strengthens to a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour, it will be the first major hurricane to hit Florida since Hurricane Ian in September of last year.
👉Protegen 537 toneladas de tabaco y acopian otras 45 en almacenes y escogidas, ante las intensas lluvias que generará la #TTIdalia#MinasDeMatahambre #PinarDelRío pic.twitter.com/zPXZlNS9ev
— Asamblea Minas de Matahambre (@MinasMatahambre) August 28, 2023
Disaster modeling firm Enki Research estimates that depending on its exact path, Hurricane Idalia could cause up to $10 billion in damage and losses. Officials and residents must remain vigilant as the storm could rapidly gain strength, with its winds potentially increasing by 35 mph or more in a day.
The expected rainfall from Hurricane Idalia is also a cause for concern. Parts of Florida, southeast Georgia, and the eastern Carolinas could receive up to 8 inches of rain, with isolated areas potentially experiencing up to a foot of rainfall. In addition, flash flooding and landslides are possible in western Cuba. Areas surrounding Tampa Bay may face storm surge and tides that could cause flooding, with water levels potentially rising as much as 7 feet above ground.
To prepare for the approaching hurricane, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has extended an emergency declaration to cover 46 counties and issued mandatory evacuation orders for several areas on the Gulf Coast. President Joe Biden has approved federal emergency declarations for Florida, allowing for coordinated relief efforts by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Tampa International Airport is scheduled to close on Tuesday.
Governor DeSantis warns residents that Hurricane Idalia could be a major hurricane with catastrophic storm surge, advising them to plan accordingly even if they are outside the projected cone. Public safety is the primary concern, and measures are being taken to protect lives and property.
Hurricane Idalia has already brought heavy rainfall to parts of Cuba, with the heart of the country’s tobacco industry, Pinar del Rio, taking precautions to safeguard over 580 tons of tobacco leaves.
It’s worth noting that while Florida’s citrus areas and offshore oil and natural gas production are not expected to be significantly impacted, agriculture across the South could be affected by Idalia. Furthermore, power outages, disrupted travel, and fuel supply issues are anticipated. Barge traffic delivering fuel along the Gulf Coast to Florida has decreased, and demand for gasoline has surged as residents prepare for possible evacuations.
To compound matters, tainted fuel has been discovered in 29 gas stations in Florida. However, experts believe this incident won’t have a major impact on the fuel supply. Florida receives most of its fuel through waterborne shipments from refineries in Texas and Louisiana, and to ensure safety, the Coast Guard has closed several ports in advance of Hurricane Idalia.
As Hurricane Idalia continues its path towards Florida’s Gulf Coast, authorities, residents, and businesses must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in its potential path. Stay updated on the latest advisories and follow the guidance provided by local authorities to mitigate the risks associated with this dangerous storm.
