CNN —Florida is bracing for “major impact” as Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to rapidly strengthen into a powerful Category 3 hurricane and aim for its Gulf Coast, threatening dangerous storm surge and winds, authorities said. “Idalia could become a hurricane later this morning, and is forecast to become a major hurricane by early Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center said. The Florida National Guard activated: More than 5,000 National Guard members were activated to help respond to the storm. Idalia posed a “notable risk” of this phenomenon, the National Hurricane Center warned Monday, as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico. Cedar Key could be cut off by the high storm surge, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said.

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