Florida In High Risk For Impacts As Idalia Seen To Develop Into Hurricane

Weather experts forecasted high risk impacts for Florida as Tropical Storm Idalia could rapidly transform into a hurricane.

According to meteorologists, Idalia could turn into a powerful hurricane while in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall over the Sunshine State.

They said that the high risk for impacts has been centered around the Big Bend region bridging the Gulf coasts of the panhandle and peninsula.

So far, this area is seen to experience life-threatening and destructive winds, torrential rains as well as storm surge that will result in floods as Idalia will approach the state around the middle of this week.

Due to these developments, the southeastern portion of the United States, including Georgia to Carolinas and Virginia, will be affected by the weather disturbance later this week.

From Tropical Depression to Tropical Storm

It was on Sunday when Tropical Depression Ten enhanced and developed into Tropical Storm Idalia as it was spotted on the east of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h).

Weather forecasters said that Idalia is expected to slowly move and start tracking north toward the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham bared that Idalia is expected to continue to strengthen in the southern and eastern Gulf of Mexico in the next as it becomes more organized amid the very high ocean water temperatures and low wind shear.

More importantly, Idalia is seen to make a landfall as a hurricane in Florida by Wednesday.

Prior to the landfall, the storm is forecasted to quickly develop.

Buckingham then warned that the strengthening of a storm before it makes a landfall in a certain area quick can bring extra danger and risk because the degree of preparations needed and required prior to the storm's arrival would have to be increased in the final hours.

"This will pose an extra risk to Florida since preparations for an intense hurricane may need to be completed very quickly," Buckingham said.

Based on forecasts from the Hurricane Center, Idalia could reach Florida on Wednesday packing winds of up to 100 mph (160 kph).

Officials said this would make Idalia a Category 2 hurricane.

Authorities warned that some parts of the western coast of Florida are in danger of experiencing seawater surging onto land, which will later result in floods in communities, when a tropical storm or hurricane comes by.

State of emergency

In preparation for the bad weather, Governor Ron DeSantis already declared a state of emergency across 33 counties in Florida.

"I've signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L. Issuing this order today ensures communities have time to prepare for the storm system which could have impacts along the Gulf Coast next week," DeSantis said.

DeSantis advised residents to have a plan and prepare a supply kit for their needs.

The governor ensured residents that authorities are already preparing for the possible impacts from Tropical Storm Idalia, noting that the government has resources on standby for deployment when needed.

Meanwhile, the Florida Division of Emergency Management also advised residents to take the time to learn if they live in an evacuation zone or flood-prone area.

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