It could be the first major hurricane at Category 3 or stronger to hit the Big Bend region.
ET, with sustained winds 120 mph winds that are projected to grow stronger as it approaches the state, the hurricane center said.
Tampa, well south of the projected landfall area, was also bracing for Idalia’s wrath and seeing storm surge beginning to flood streets Tuesday.
• Much of Florida under state of emergency: DeSantis has issued an emergency declaration to 49 of 67 Florida counties.
“Idalia is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and possibly when it reaches the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina on Wednesday,” the hurricane center said Tuesday evening.
Persons:
Idalia, “, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, ” DeSantis, ” Perry, Lee Bercaw, ” Bercaw, Jamie Rhome, Mayor Heath Davis, Levy, •, Florida won’t, “ Idalia
Organizations:
CNN, National Guard, National Hurricane Center, Fort Myers, National Weather Service, Florida, Florida Gov, Big, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Tampa Police, Mayor, Florida Gulf, • Travel, Tampa International Airport, Pete, Clearwater International, •, Guard, Pasadena Hospital, HCA, HCA Florida Trinity West Hospital, HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, Florida Department of Corrections, Carolinas, North Carolina
Locations:
Florida’s, Big Bend, Bend, Cedar Key , Florida, Madeira Beach, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Tallahassee, Apalachee, Panhandle, Taylor, Florida, Idalia’s, Perry, Tampa, Florida Gulf Coast, Alachua, Baker, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Madison , Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco , Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Suwannee, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, HCA Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North, North Carolina