Hurricane Idalia is developing quickly as Florida prepares for its devastating effects

Idalia, which is now a Category 2 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall early on Wednesday in the sparsely populated Big Bend area where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula with sustained winds of up to 120 mph (193 kph). The outcome could strike a serious blow to a state that is still recuperating from Hurricane Ian’s effects from the previous year.

Idalia is deemed “an unprecedented event” by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee since no major hurricane has ever been known to travel across the bay that borders the Big Bend region.

According to the Weather Channel, if the peak surge and high tide occur at the same time, the water could rise to the following levels:

-Aucilla River, Florida, to Chassahowitzka, Florida: 10-15 feet

-Yankeetown to Chassahowitzka, Florida: 7-11 feet

-Chassahowitzka, Florida, to Anclote River, Florida: 6-9 feet

-Ochlockonee River, Florida, to Aucilla River, Florida: 6-9 feet

-Anclote River, Florida, to middle of Longboat Key, Florida: 4-7 feet

-Tampa Bay: 4-7 feet

-Carrabelle, Florida, to Ochlockonee, Florida: 4-7 feet

-Middle of Longboat Key, Florida, to Englewood, Florida: 3-5 feet

In Florida and the Southeast, flooding rain is predicted:
Heavier rain is predicted to start later on Tuesday and last through Thursday in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In some places, that will probably result in localized flash flooding.

According to the National Hurricane Center, amounts of 12 inches are likely, close to landfall in northern Florida, for portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, southeast Georgia, and the eastern Carolinas.

Destructive winds will extend far from the center:
A lot of power disruptions and downed trees could occur in areas where storm warnings are in place. The further inland reach of those more widespread outages may reach northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. From other areas of Florida to the coastal Carolinas, at least isolated power outages and some tree damage might be anticipated.

Midweek tornadoes are another risk.
A few tornadoes may form on Tuesday along the coast of west-central Florida ahead of Idalia, and by Tuesday night, they will have expanded into the Big Bend region.

A few tornadoes might still threaten portions of northern Florida on Wednesday morning, and they could later develop along the Southeast coast. 

It is advised to assess and prepare your hurricane protection strategies while keeping up with the most recent forecast revisions.

If you would like to learn various tips on how to keep you and your family safe during a hurricane please visit our latest blog here:

Hurricane season is here │ Tips to keep you and your family safe