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☆ Northern China hospitals overwhelmed with surge in respiratory illnesses among children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hospitals in Beijing and northern China are grappling with a surge of children with respiratory illnesses as the country enters its first winter since relaxing stringent Covid-19 controls nearly one year ago. Wait times to see doctors stretch for hours, with hundreds of patients queuing at some children’s hospitals in major cities across northern China, according to CNN reporting and Chinese state and social media. The surge in cases across northern China comes amid a rise in seasonal respiratory infections around the northern hemisphere, including in the United States, where RSV is spreading at “unprecedented” levels among children. Children receive intravenous drips at a children's hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023. It’s unclear if there’s been an increase in respiratory illnesses or severe cases among children relative to pre-pandemic years because of limited public data released by China.

Persons: “, Jin Dongyan, ” Catherine Bennett, ” Bennett, Jade Gao, drips, ”, there’s, Jin, that’s, Christine Jenkins Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Hospitals, CNN, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Health, World Health Organization, WHO, Wednesday, “, University of Hong Kong’s, of Biomedical Sciences, Deakin University, Getty, Weibo, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, National Health Commission, NHC, ”, China’s, Hong Kong University, UNSW Sydney Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, United States, Australia, AFP, Beijing’s

☆ Fact Check: Agencies did warn of Hurricane Otis’ quick development
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Government agencies did issue warnings ahead of Hurricane Otis hitting the Mexican city of Acapulco on Oct. 25, contrary to claims on social media that said there was “no warning” ahead of the hurricane. It informed the public on Oct. 24 at 2:48 a.m. local time (0948 GMT) that Otis was expected to become a hurricane. The government of Guerrero, where Acapulco is located, referred to Otis as a hurricane at 3:58 p.m. (2258 GMT) on a social media post that day. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador warned about hurricane Otis on X, formerly known as Twitter, at 20:25 p.m. (0325 GMT). While Otis intensified quickly, government and weather agencies warned about the hurricane hours before it hit Acapulco.

Persons: Hurricane Otis, Otis, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Contra, López Obrador, Read Organizations: Hurricane, Authorities, ” Reuters, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Acapulco, Mexican, ”, Mexico, Guerrero

☆ Mexico braces for Category 5 hurricane, risk of 'catastrophic' damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Javier Verdin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Members of the federal forces chat as they keep watch at a beach as Hurricane Otis barrels towards Acapulco, Mexico, October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Javier Verdin Acquire Licensing RightsACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Mexico's southern coast braced for Hurricane Otis on Wednesday as the Category 5 storm made landfall near the beach resorts of Acapulco, with the potential to cause "catastrophic damage," the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The hurricane reached land near Acapulco, bringing maximum sustained winds around 165 mph (270 kmh) and heavy rain, the center said. In Guerrero, authorities were preparing storm shelters and the national guard said it was helping to prepare for rescues and evacuations. Reporting by Javier Verdin in Acapulco and Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; writing by Brendan O'Boyle; editing by Robert Birsel and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hurricane Otis, Javier Verdin, CONAGUA, Otis, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Evelyn Salgado, Brendan O'Boyle, Robert Birsel, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Guerrero, Thomson Locations: Hurricane, Acapulco, Mexico, Rights ACAPULCO, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Miami, Mexico City

☆ Hurricane Otis barrels toward Mexico's Acapulco as Category 5 storm
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Javier Verdin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] People walk along a beach as Hurricane Otis barrels towards Acapulco, Mexico, October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Javier Verdin Acquire Licensing RightsACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Hurricane Otis barreled toward Mexico's beach resort of Acapulco as a Category 5 storm on Tuesday and was poised to make landfall on its Pacific coast early on Wednesday. By 9 p.m. time (0300 GMT on Wednesday) Otis was about 55 miles south-southeast of Acapulco, the Miami-based NHC added. Over the weekend, Hurricane Norma killed at least three people as it passed along the northwest coast of Mexico. Days before, the powerful Hurricane Lidia left one person dead and several injured after battering Mexico's Pacific coast.

Persons: Hurricane Otis, Javier Verdin, Otis, Evelyn Salgado, Norma, Hurricane Lidia, Brendan O'Boyle, Diego Ore, Natalia Siniawski, Alison Williams, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Punta Maldonado, NHC, Guerrero, Thomson Locations: Hurricane, Acapulco, Mexico, Rights ACAPULCO, Miami, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Oaxaca

☆ Hurricane Norma weakens but still 'dangerous' as it approaches Baja California peninsula
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] People observe waves breaking on the beach as Hurricane Norma barrels towards the Baja California peninsula, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Fernando Castillo Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma weakened to a Category 2 storm on Saturday as it approached the south of Mexico's Baja California peninsula where it was expected to make landfall later in the day, bringing with it a "dangerous storm surge." Mexican authorities called on residents of the state of Baja California Sur to take precautions and stay in their homes, while shelters were set up. "Norma is expected to remain a hurricane while it moves over the southern portion of Baja California Sur," the NHC said, noting nonetheless that further weakening was expected over the weekend. Local authorities maintained a "prevention zone" between the towns of Todos Santos and Los Barriles, in the state of Baja California Sur.

Persons: Fernando Castillo, Norma, Marion Giraldo, Isabel Woodford, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S National Hurricane Center, NHC, Todos Santos, Mexican Pacific, Thomson Locations: Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, MEXICO, Mexico's Baja California, Baja California Sur, Todos, Mexican

☆ 'Erratic' Hurricane Norma on track to hit Mexico's Baja California
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Workers remove a stand off a beach as Hurricane Norma barrels towards the Baja California peninsula, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Fernando Castillo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Estado de Baja California FollowMEXICO CITY, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma strengthened as it churned toward the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Friday afternoon, threatening heavy rainfall beginning on Saturday at the area's popular tourist resorts. The "major hurricane," according to air force hurricane hunters, is advancing to the north at a speed of 8 mph (13 km/h), the NHC said. "It's a very strong storm," state Governor Victor Manuel Castro told reporters at a press conference, describing it as "erratic." The NHC warned of dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and possible flooding across southern Baja California through Saturday.

Persons: Fernando Castillo, Norma, Victor Manuel Castro, Castro, Sarah Morland, Natalia Siniawski, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, David Gregorio, Chris Reese Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Estado, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Monday, Thomson Locations: Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, California, MEXICO, Mexico's Baja California, Norma, Sinaloa, Pacific, Baja

☆ Weakening Hurricane Norma Still Poses Threat to Mexico's Pacific Coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Hurricane Norma has slightly weakened but remains a major storm poised to deliver heavy rainfall and flooding to the popular tourist coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula over the next few days, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said on Friday. A gradual weakening is anticipated over the next few days, but Norma is forecast to still be a hurricane when it approaches the southern portion of Baja California Sur, said the NHC. Mexico's government has issued tropical storm warnings for various areas, including La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, and extending north from Todos Santos to the Santa Fe district. The hurricane center predicts that these regions will experience tropical storm conditions within a 36-hour time frame. The storm could result in up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in parts of Baja California, potentially causing flooding and landslides.

Persons: Norma, La, Natalia Siniawski, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Reuters, National Hurricane Centre, NHC, La Paz, Todos Santos, US Locations: Mexico's Baja California, Baja California Sur, Todos, Santa Fe, Baja California

☆ Category 4 Hurricane Norma churns towards Mexican Pacific coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Estado de Baja California FollowMEXICO CITY, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday as it neared peak strength over the Pacific, though it was forecast to weaken before reaching the coast of popular tourist resorts on Mexico's Baja California peninsula. "The hurricane is likely near its peak intensity, although some small fluctuations cannot be ruled out today," the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, with Norma still some 245 miles (394 km) away from the port city Manzanillo. The forecaster said Norma would likely begin weakening from Friday through the weekend, and approach land from late Friday. Baja California is home to the Los Cabos beach resorts. In the Atlantic, the NHC forecast tropical storm conditions across parts of the Lesser Antilles from Friday as Tropical Storm Tammy heads west at 15 mph (24 km), nearing the Leeward Islands "at or near hurricane intensity".

Persons: Norma, Tammy, Sarah Morland, Raul Cortes, Bernadette Baum, Alistair Bell Organizations: Estado, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Saturday, Virgin Islands, Thomson Locations: California, MEXICO, Baja California, Manzanillo, Lesser, Virgin, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe

☆ Hurricane Norma seen strengthening as it churns toward Baja California
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma is expected to further strengthen on Wednesday as it bears down on the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, home to popular tourist beach resorts, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The Miami-based center upgraded Norma to a Category 1 hurricane earlier on Wednesday. "Rapid strengthening is forecast through tonight, and Norma could become a major hurricane on Thursday," the NHC reported, adding that gradual weakening of the hurricane is forecast as it approaches Baja California on Friday and Saturday. Norma's maximum sustained winds have reached 80 miles per hour (129 kph) as it heads north. The hurricane is located about 520 miles (837 km) south of the beach resort city of Cabo San Lucas.

Persons: Norma, Valentine Hilaire, Jamie Freed Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico's Baja California, Miami, Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

☆ Hurricane Lidia slams Mexico's coast leaving widespread damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

People walk by a restaurant damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Lidia, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Christian Ruano Acquire Licensing RightsOct 11 (Reuters) - Rescue workers on Wednesday were scrambling to clean up the mess left by Hurricane Lidia, which slammed into Mexico’s Pacific coast overnight, leaving one person dead in the western state of Nayarit. Lidia made landfall as a Category 4 storm triggering torrential downpours, causing rivers to overflow, toppling trees and leading to significant flooding in numerous western states of Mexico. Officials in Nayarit were working to clear fallen trees obstructing Federal Highway 200 in the Bahía de Banderas municipality. Civil Defense authorities in the beach resort city of Puerto Vallarta catalogued the damage on social media, reporting inundated canals and instances of rooftops being swept away by the storm.

Persons: Hurricane Lidia, Christian Ruano, Lidia, Natalia Siniawski, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Christian, National Hurricane Center, Civil Defense, NHC, Thomson Locations: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Nayarit, Lidia, Banderas

☆ 'Extremely dangerous' Category 4 Hurricane Lidia heads to Mexico's Pacific coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/9] Men board up the storefront of a business as Hurricane Lidia barrels towards Mexico's Pacific coast, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Christian Ruano Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Hurricane Lidia reached Category 4 strength on Tuesday afternoon as it barreled towards Mexico's Pacific coast, where major beach and tourist resorts were bracing for significant downpours, likely flooding as well as imminent hurricane-force winds. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Hurricane Lidia was of "extremely dangerous" strength and could strengthen further before making landfall on Tuesday night. The hurricane was about 110 miles (177 km) southwest of major beach destination Puerto Vallarta, the Miami-based NHC reported in its latest bulletin at 5:30 p.m. The Puerto Vallarta airport announced on social media it was closing from 4 p.m. (2200 GMT) until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Persons: Lidia, Christian Ruano, Max, Raul Cortes Fernandez, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, Stephen Eisenhammer, Stephen Coates, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Christian, MEXICO CITY, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Tropical, Thomson Locations: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, MEXICO, Miami, Puerto, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Guerrero

☆ Mexico's Pacific beach towns brace as Lidia becomes hurricane
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hurricane-force winds and flooding rains should begin to hit Mexico on Tuesday, the center said. The NHC warned of hurricane conditions from southern Jalisco state up to the Islas Marias off the Nayarit coast, and tropical storm conditions stretching north to Mazatlan and south to Manzanillo. A storm surge could also produce "significant coastal flooding" around where Lidia makes landfall, it added. This comes as Storm Max, which hit the southern state of Guerrero on Monday, weakens as it travels inland. The NHC warned that Max would bring strong winds across the southern coastline Monday night and could still produce flash flooding and mudslides across Guerrero and neighboring Michoacan states.

Persons: Storm Lidia, Lidia, Storm Max, Max, Sarah Morland, Diego Ore, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Hurricane, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Islas Marias, Nayarit, Mazatlan, Manzanillo, Sinaloa, California, Guerrero, Michoacan

☆ New tropical depression forms over central tropical Atlantic, NHC says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sept 23 (Reuters) - A new tropical depression 17 has formed in the central tropical Atlantic, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Saturday. Tropical depression 17 is located about 985 miles (1,585 km) west of the Cabo Verde islands, packing maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55kph), the Miami-based forecaster said. Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gokul, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S, National Hurricane Center, Thomson Locations: Cabo Verde, Miami, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. NHC says 90% chance of cyclone in next 48 hours for system west of Cape Verde Islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sept 23 (Reuters) - An area of low pressure located several hundred miles west of the Cape Verde Islands has a 90% chance of becoming a cyclone in the next 48 hours, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Saturday, adding that further development was expected and a tropical depression could likely form today. "The system is forecast to move generally westward at 10 to 15 mph for the next few days, and then turn west-northwestward or northwestward starting Tuesday," the Miami-based forecaster said. Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gokul, Andrew Heavens Organizations: U.S, National Hurricane Center, Thomson Locations: Cape Verde, Miami, Bengaluru

☆ Lee weakens to post-tropical cyclone, knocks out power as it nears Atlantic coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( John Morris | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A man walks near a large lawn chair that was tipped over, after Hurricane Lee was downgraded to a post-tropical storm and started to impact Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada, September 16, 2023. REUTERS/John Morris Acquire Licensing RightsSHELBURNE, NOVA SCOTIA Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Lee storm system weakened into a post-tropical cyclone as it closed in on New England and Atlantic Canada on Saturday, producing hurricane-force winds that knocked out power to more than 100,000 people. Strong winds, coastal flooding and heavy rains were already occurring in parts of New England and Atlantic Canada, it added. In the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, more than 100,000 people were without power early on Saturday after high winds brought down trees. Lee has been churning as a large hurricane over the Atlantic for more than a week, briefly threatening Bermuda but mostly harmless for anyone on land.

Persons: Hurricane Lee, John Morris, Lee, Crews, Matt Drover, Joe Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, Fiona, David Ljunggren, Idrees Ali, Daniel Trotta, Brendan O'Brien, Kim Coghill, Mike Harrison, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, NOVA, Atlantic Canada, The U.S, National Hurricane Center, Nova, Canadian Hurricane Center, U.S, Thomson Locations: Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada, New England, Atlantic, The, Halifax Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, Canadian, of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Halifax, Fundy, Maine, Massachusetts, Bermuda, Ottawa, Washington, Carlsbad , California, Chicago

☆ Storm Lee makes landfall in Canada, downing trees and knocking out power
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( John Morris | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/15] A tree on the ground is pictured after taking down the power lines and shutting off access to this road in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada, September 16, 2023. The still-powerful weather system packed maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts, forecasters said. In the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, around 120,000 people were without power on Saturday as winds knocked down trees and felled power lines. "The intensity of the storm is strong," said Paul Mason, the executive director of the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office. It marks the second year in a row that such a powerful storm has reached Canada after Hurricane Fiona ripped into eastern Canada a year ago.

Persons: John Morris, Lee, Crews, Matt Drover, PowerOutages.us, Paul Mason, Joe Biden's, Fiona, David Ljunggren, Idrees Ali, Maria Caspani, Daniel Trotta, Brendan O'Brien, Kim Coghill, Mike Harrison, Diane Craft, Daniel Wallis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Nova, Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office, NHC, Canadian Hurricane Centre, Thomson Locations: Liverpool , Nova Scotia, Canada, Nova Scotia, Canada's Nova Scotia, Atlantic, U.S ., Maine, Halifax, Eastport , Maine, Atlantic Canada, Canadian, of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Massachusetts, Bermuda, Ottawa, Washington, New York, Carlsbad , California, Chicago

☆ Category 4 Hurricane Lee 'rapidly strengthening' across Caribbean
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 7 (Reuters) - Hurricane Lee has intensified to a Category 4 storm and is "rapidly strengthening" as it churns through the Caribbean on Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported. In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pre-deployed assets and is coordinating with local officials ahead of the storm, the Biden administration said. The hurricane was packing winds up to 130 mph (215 kph) by 5 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time (2100 GMT) on Thursday, and additional strengthening was expected at night, the Miami-based hurricane center said. Lee is expected to remain powerful through the next several days, the NHC added. Reporting by Kylie Madry; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason and Aurora Ellis; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lee, Biden, Kylie Madry, Jeff Mason, Aurora Ellis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, National Hurricane Center, U.S ., Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, British, NHC, Thomson Locations: Caribbean, Puerto Rico, U.S, U.S . Virgin Islands, Miami, Lesser, U.S . Virgin Islands , Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Bahamas, Bermuda

☆ Lee to Become 'Major Hurricane' Over Weekend as It Chugs Across Caribbean
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Hurricane Lee, a Category 2 storm, was "rapidly strengthening" as it churned through the Caribbean on Thursday, the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported. In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pre-deployed assets and is coordinating with local officials ahead of the storm, the Biden administration said. However, the hurricane is likely to miss Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as it moves northwest, the NHC's estimated storm path showed. "The potential for tropical storm conditions to occur in the islands is decreasing, but residents there should continue to monitor updates on Lee," the NHC said. Lee is expected to remain powerful through the next several days, the NHC added.

Persons: Hurricane Lee, Biden, Lee, Kylie Madry, Jeff Mason, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Reuters, Hurricane Center, U.S ., Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, NHC, Puerto Rico, British Locations: Caribbean, U.S, Puerto Rico, U.S . Virgin Islands, Lesser, U.S . Virgin Islands , Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Bahamas, Bermuda

☆ Possible Hurricane Lee: The Atlantic's next major hurricane is expected by this weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tropical Depression 13 formed Tuesday morning in the central tropical Atlantic, almost 1,000 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, according to the National Hurricane Center. The depression is expected to become a tropical storm later Tuesday. The next tropical storm will be given the name Lee. The hurricane is expected to grow significantly stronger by the weekend and is forecast to become the season’s third Category 3 or stronger hurricane as the weekend begins. Sunday, September 10, is the climatological peak of Atlantic hurricane season, when the basin is at its busiest on average.

Persons: Lee, Don, Franklin, Idalia, Philip Klotzbach Organizations: CNN, National Hurricane Center, Hurricane, Hispaniola –, Labor, Colorado State University Locations: Cabo Verde Islands, Leeward Islands, Caribbean, Leeward Islands , Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Bahamas, East Coast, New Jersey

PERRY, Florida, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Cleanup and recovery from Hurricane Idalia began on Thursday along Florida's Gulf Coast, where property damage, loss of life and power disruptions paled in comparison to the last major hurricane that struck the state nearly a year ago. "The bad news type calls we were accustomed to during Ian, those were not happening during this storm," DeSantis said at a late-afternoon news conference on Wednesday. Florida Highway Patrol reported that two motorists had died in separate rain-related crashes early Wednesday before Idalia made landfall. Reuters Graphics[1/3]A vehicle is seen in a canal after the arrival of Hurricane Idalia in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, U.S., August 30, 2023. The same region, featuring a marshy coast and threaded with freshwater springs and rivers, was devastated by a major hurricane in 1896.

Persons: Hurricane Idalia, Idalia, Ron DeSantis, Perry, Ian, DeSantis, Cheney Orr, Jared Perdue, Casey DeSantis, Maria Alejandra Cardona, Marco Bello, Joey Roulette, Rich McKay, Brendan O'Brien, Brad Brooks, Kanishka Singh, Jeff Mason, Nandita Bose, Steve Gorman, Michael Perry Organizations: Hurricane, National Guard, UBS, Florida Highway Patrol, Reuters, REUTERS, HIT, state's Transportation Department, Reuters Graphics Reuters, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Thomson Locations: PERRY, Florida, Gulf Coast, Keaton, Florida's Big Bend, Taylor, Hernando counties, St . Petersburg, Georgia, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, U.S, Florida's, Big Bend, Gulf, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Bend, Hillsborough County, Tampa, Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, South Carolina, North Carolina, Steinhatchee , Florida, Cedar Key , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Atlanta, Chicago, Longmont , Colorado, Washington

STEINHATCHEE, Florida, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Florida's Gulf Coast braced on Wednesday for fierce winds, torrential rain and surging seawater from Idalia, forecast to become "an extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane, as it swirled toward a direct hit on the state's Big Bend region. Most of Florida's 21 million residents, and many in the adjacent states of Georgia and South Carolina, were under hurricane warnings and other storm-related advisories. Any storm reaching Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane. 1 killer in all of these storms is water," Deanne Criswell, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's administrator, said on CNN. Idalia-related disruptions extended to Florida's Atlantic coast at Cape Canaveral, where the Tuesday launch of a rocket carrying a U.S. Space Force intelligence satellite was delayed indefinitely.

Persons: Kevin Guthrie, Rene Hoffman, Idalia, Steve Pizzano, Adrees Latif, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Irma, Michael, Ian, DeSantis, Milton Bontrager, Maria Alejandra Cardona, Marco Bello, Joey Roulette, Rich McKay, Nelson Acosta, Dave Sherwood, Brad Brooks, Brendan O'Brien, Nandita Bose, Steve Gorman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters Graphics Reuters, National Hurricane Center, NHC, REUTERS, Federal Emergency Management, CNN, White, Florida, Republican, U.S . Space Force, Tampa International Airport, National Guard, Thomson Locations: STEINHATCHEE, Florida, Idalia, Bend, Gulf of Mexico, Georgia, South Carolina, Steinhatchee , Florida, Miami, Cedar Key , Florida, Gulf Coast, North, Sarasota, Apalachicola Bay ., Clearwater Beach , Florida, U.S, Gulf, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Tampa, St, Petersburg, Cape Canaveral, Cuba, Tampa , Florida, Atlanta, Havana, Guanimar, Longmont , Colorado, Chicago, Washington

The weather system is not expected to hit major oil producing platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. However, oil major Chevron Corp (CVX.N) evacuated some staff from three platforms in the region. Expectations of a steep decline in U.S. crude oil stockpiles have also benefited oil prices, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. U.S. crude oil inventories are expected to have dropped by 3.3 million barrels in the latest week, according to an extended Reuters poll on Tuesday. "Even with the potential for some demand destruction (from hurricane Idalia), the coming crude oil supply squeeze is becoming more painfully obvious," said Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn.

Persons: Hurricane Idalia, Idalia, Robert Yawger, Yawger, Giovanni Staunovo, Baker Hughes, Phil Flynn, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, Josie Kao, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Companies, Florida U.S, Hurricane, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, Hurricane Center, Labor, Chevron Corp, Chevron, UBS, American Petroleum Institute, Futures, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, BENGALURU, Florida, Miami, U.S . Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, Bengaluru, London, Singapore, Houston

Idalia was expected to intensify rapidly before slamming ashore on Wednesday morning, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC). SURGES UP TO 12 FEET HIGHMost of Florida's 21 million residents, along with many in Georgia and South Carolina, were under hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings and advisories. "I don't panic, I prepare," said Bontrager, 40, who runs six sport and charter fishing boats in Venice along the Gulf Coast near Tampa. From Tuesday through Thursday, Florida's Gulf Coast along with southeastern Georgia and eastern portions of North and South Carolina could face torrential rains of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm, the hurricane center warned. In some spots, the surge of water could rise 8 to 12 feet (2.5-3.7 m), the hurricane center said.

Persons: Idalia, Ron DeSantis, Irma, Michael, Ian, Milton Bontrager's, Hurricane Idalia, Marco Bello, Anthony Holloway, DeSantis, Guan, Madelin Suarez Morejon, Rich McKay, Dave Sherwood, Brendan O'Brien, Steve Gorman, Swati Verma, David Ljunggren, Joseph Ax, Lincoln, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Hurricane Center, NHC, REUTERS, Federal Emergency Management, CNN, Tampa International, National Guard, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Florida, Florida's Gulf Coast, Miami, Bend, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Tampa, St, Petersburg, Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, Georgia, South Carolina, Sarasota, Venice, Gulf, North, Cedar Key , Florida, Apalachicola Bay ., CUBA, Caribbean, Havana, Pinar del Rio, Atlanta, Guanimar, Chicago, Los Angeles, Bengaluru, Ottawa, West Stockbridge , Massachusetts

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Idalia closed in on Florida's Gulf Coast on Tuesday after skirting past Cuba, headed for a U.S. landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm, prompting authorities to order evacuations of vulnerable shoreline areas. [1/3]People walk on a flooded street as Storm Idalia makes landfall in Cuba, Guanimar, Cuba, August 28, 2023. MOVING TO HIGHER GROUNDEvacuations of barrier islands and other low-lying areas of Florida's Gulf Coast began on Monday. Far to the east of Idalia, Hurricane Franklin, the first major hurricane of the season, meandered in the Atlantic, and was forecast to turn to the northeast over the next two days. The Category 4 storm threatened to bring heavy swells to Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast throughout the week.

Persons: Idalia, Buckle, Ron DeSantis, Irma, Michael, Ian, Guan, Storm Idalia, Alexandre Meneghini, We've, Yadira Alvarez, Shannon Hartsfield, Hartsfield, DeSantis, Hurricane Franklin, Rich McKay, Dave Sherwood, Brendan O'Brien, Steve Gorman, Swati Verma, Lincoln Organizations: U.S, Hurricane Center, NHC, Storm, REUTERS, Authorities, Coast, Hartsfield, Tampa International, National Guard, meandered, U.S ., Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Florida's, Coast, Cuba, Miami, Bend, Florida, Gulf, Mexico, Sarasota, Tampa, Apalachicola Bay, Caribbean, Havana, Guanimar, Pinar del Rio, Florida's Gulf Coast, Georgia, North, South Carolina, Idalia, Hurricane, Bermuda, U.S . East Coast, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

☆ Explainer: What to expect when Hurricane Idalia hits Florida Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Julia Harte | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Men cut plywood in front of a store ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Idalia in Cedar Key, Florida, U.S., August 29, 2023. It is expected to reach Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale, qualifying it as a major hurricane, before reaching Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). EVACUATION ZONESAuthorities are scrambling to move thousands of Florida residents out of danger before nightfall. At least 23 Florida counties have posted evacuation orders on their websites or social media pages as of Tuesday morning, including for parts of Tampa. DISRUPTIONSEven Floridians not under evacuation orders should expect disruptions as a result of Idalia, from power outages to shuttered schools and businesses.

Persons: Marco Bello, Idalia, Irma, Michael, Ian, Idalia's, Ron DeSantis, Julia Harte, Andy Sullivan Organizations: REUTERS, National Hurricane Center, NHC, National Guard, Tampa International Airport, Thomson Locations: Cedar Key , Florida, U.S, Florida's Gulf Coast, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, of Mexico, Cuba, Gulf Coast, Bend, ., Apalachicola Bay, Tampa, Sarasota, Citrus County

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