Tropical Storm Idalia formed Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico amid warnings it could slam across Florida’s shores as a hurricane, dropping up to 18 inches of rain on a region battered less than a year ago by historic Hurricane Ian.
Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at Florida-based WeatherTiger,says there are warning signals that Idalia could reach major hurricane intensity − sustained winds of at least 111 mph for Category 3 status − and that it would be “naïve to ignore them.”
“More damaging and less damaging outcomes remain on the table,” said Truchelut, who provides forecasts for the USA TODAY Network. “But the eastern Panhandle, Big Bend and west-central Florida coasts are at serious risk of surge, wind and rain impacts from a potential major hurricane landfall Wednesday.”
AccuWeather said several inches of rain could trigger inland flooding in low-lying areas beginning as early as Tuesday in central and northern Florida. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are likely in much of northern and central Florida with gusts of up to 80 mph along the Florida Gulf Coast.
A high risk for impact was centered around the Big Bend region of the Gulf Coast linking the Panhandle and peninsula, AccuWeather said, warning of “life-threatening damaging winds, torrential rain and storm surge flooding” as Idalia closes in on the state, gaining strength as it sweeps across high water temperatures in the Gulf.
The storm could prompt travel problems, and “significant airline delays” are possible for flights in and out of the region Tuesday to Wednesday, AccuWeather said.
Developments:
◾On Sunday afternoon the storm was centered about 80 miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving north at about 2 mph.
◾A faster motion toward the north or north-northeast is expected later on Monday, bringing the system over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
What is the Saffir-Simpson hurricane winBreaking down the hurricane category scale
What is the possible path of Tropical Storm Idalia?
Tuesday a ‘dangerous day’ as storm builds
Truchelut said Tuesday will be “a dangerous day, and I don’t like what I’m seeing.” He said a combination of factors could strengthen the storm.
“I don’t want to pull the fire alarm, but Idalia has infernal potential, and you need to react now while you still have time,” he said. “Stay safe, Florida, and keep watching the skies.”
What is storm surge?Explaining a hurricane’s deadliest and most destructive threat
Florida bracing for up to 18 inches of rain
Portions of the eastern Yucatan Peninsula could see 2 to 4 inches, and isolated higher totals of 6 inches are possible, the weather service said. Western Cuba could be hit with 3 to 6 inches, and isolated spots could get 10 inches.
As the storm rolls into Florida, portions of the state’s Gulf Coast, the Florida Panhandle and southern Georgia could see 4 to 8 inches, and some areas could be blasted by up to 18 inches of rain over a span of less than 12 hours Tuesday into Wednesday, AccuWeather said.
Heavy rainfall is also likely to spread into portions of the Carolinas by Wednesday into Thursday, the weather service said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 counties ahead of the storm. Emergency management officials were taking precautions “to ensure Florida’s communities, infrastructure and resources are prepared, including those communities that are still recovering following Hurricane Ian,” DeSantis said.
Ian crashed through the state last September, killing 150 people in Florida alone and causing damage estimated at more than $100 billion.
DeSantis said authorities were moving resources into areas likely to be slammed by the storm, and he urged residents to ensure “their hurricane supply kit is stocked.” The declaration includes almost half the state’s 67 counties, stretching from Fort Myers north through Panama City in the Panhandle. Municipalities across the region were providing sandbags in preparation for the storm.
Franklin should become ‘major’ hurricane Sunday
Hurricane Franklin was 275 miles northeast of Grand Turk Island with sustained winds of 100 mph and forecast to strengthen to a “major” hurricane sometime Sunday, the weather service said. The storm was rolling north-northwest at 8 mph and, while no watches or warnings were in effect, residents and tourists in Bermuda were warned to monitor the system. A major hurricane packs winds of 111 mph or more, the equivalent of a Categories 3, 4 and 5.
“Our emergency personnel remain mobilized should the need arise,” Bermuda National Security Minister Michael Weeks said.
