[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