Updated 6:26 pm EST 2:43 pm, 5:08 am: Hurricane Idalia, now a category 2 hurricane (96-110 mph / 83-95 kt / 154-177 km/hr), is expected to bring “life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions … along portions of the gulf coast of Florida tonight and Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced at 5:00 pm EST.
As of 5 am EST Tuesday, August 29, Tropical Storm Idalia had reached hurricane force winds. As the storm moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico towards the west coast of Florida, NOAA expects Idalia to become a category 3 hurricane (winds 111-129 mph / 96-112 kt / 178-208 km/hr).
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Englewood northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect from the Middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
- Dry Tortugas Florida
- Chokoloskee northward to the Middle of Longboat Key
- West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
- Sebastian Inlet, Florida to Altamaha Sound, Georgia
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
- Chokoloskee northward to Englewood, including Charlotte Harbour
- Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South
Carolina
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
- Englewood to the Middle of Longboat Key
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the storm center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km), according to NOAA.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 46 counties.
If it feels like deja vu or the movie Groundhog Day … that may be because Hurricane Ian made landfall September 29, 2022. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2005.
Also, see
- Florida evacuation orders in prep for Hurricane Idalia
- Georgia and South Carolina under state of emergency: governors
- Hurricane Idelia: about the name
Known for gnawing at complex questions like a terrier with a bone. Digital evangelist, writer, teacher. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles. @kegill (Twitter and Mastodon.social); wiredpen.com