The hurricane was upgraded on Tuesday evening to a Category 2 after its top wind speeds surpassed 155km/h.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents in low-lying communities to heed orders to seek higher ground, warning that the storm surge could cause life-threatening floods.Idalia related disruptions extended to Florida’s Atlantic coast at Cape Canaveral, where the Tuesday launch of a rocket carrying a US Space Force intelligence satellite was delayed indefinitely due to the hurricane.
A satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Idalia, centre, approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast.By Tuesday evening, the storm was churning about 310km southwest of Tampa as it crept northward. Surge warnings were posted for hundreds of kilometres of shoreline, from Sarasota to the sport fishing haven of Indian Pass at the western end of Apalachicola Bay. In some areas, the surge of water could rise 3m to 4.6m, the NHC said.
Some 5500 National Guard troops were mobilised, while 30,000 to 40,000 electricity workers were placed on standby.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Millions of Florida residents bracing for Hurricane IdaliaThe giant storm is forecast to unleash once-in-a-lifetime strength across the US state.
Read more »
Tropical Storm Idalia strengthens as it threatens to strike FloridaResidents along Gulf coast warned of ‘increasingly dangerous situation’ as storm expected to hit as major hurricane
Read more »
‘Don’t panic, prepare’: Hurricane Idalia churns toward Florida, threatening dangerous storm surgeIdalia’s most dangerous feature appears to be the powerful surge of wind-driven seawater it is expected to deliver to barrier islands around Florida’s coast.
Read more »