Florida homeowners packed sandbags and left low-lying Gulf Coast houses as Tropical Storm Idalia strengthened Monday and forecasters projected it will approach within days as a major hurricane with life-threatening storm surges.
As the state prepared, Idalia pounded Cuba with torrential rain, especially in the west, where Pinar del Rio, a tobacco-producing province, is still rebuilding from Hurricane Ian almost a year ago. Residents were relocated to friends’ and relatives’ homes while authorities monitored the Cuyaguateje River for flooding. Cuba received 10 centimetres (four inches) of rain on Sunday, meteorological stations reported.
Idalia is forecast to hit Florida with hurricane-force winds late Tuesday and arrive on Wednesday. First storm of hurricane season, it might be a big blow to Florida, which is still recovering from Ian.
“Just got to prepare for these things, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst and, you know, hunker down, as they say,” Derek Hughes said while loading his car with sandbags at a Tampa city park. Flooding is the worst case. Maybe not too much wind damage.”
Ron DeSantis proclaimed a state of emergency in 46 counties, spanning the northern half of Florida from Gulf to Atlantic. The state has deployed 1,100 National Guard personnel with 2,400 high-water vehicles and 12 helicopters for rescue and recovery. Tampa and St. Pete-Clearwater airports will close on Tuesday.
DeSantis warned of a “major impact” to the state as the tropical storm became a Category 3 hurricane.
“The property — we can rebuild someone’s home,” DeSantis said Monday during a press conference. You can’t unring the bell if someone continues in danger and fights Mother Nature. This is not worth fighting.”
Storm surges and floods threaten large areas of Florida’s western coast whenever a storm of this magnitude approaches. Pasco and Levy counties north of Tampa issued mandatory evacuations for at-risk residents. Levy County officials advised Cedar Key residents to leave by Tuesday evening because storm surges would make bridges inoperable.
The county advised, “Once the storm surge comes in, help may not be available to reach you.”
The National storm Centre in Miami issued a storm warning Monday from Longboat Key in Sarasota to the Holocene River past Tampa Bay.
Many Gulf Coast schools planned to close Tuesday and Wednesday. Students at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg were advised to depart by Monday night.
“They told us our dorm building, especially, floods,” said Erin Amiss.
Grace Cruz, a 40-year Tampa resident, put away outdoor furniture, filled her car with gas, and loaded up on sandbags. She concerned about the tens of thousands of new Floridians who had never experienced a hurricane and offered guidance.
“If you’re going away, start early because of traffic,” Cruz added. No joke. It’s awful.”
In a news statement, the White House said President Joe Biden informed DeSantis of his emergency declaration on Monday morning. The designation releases government cash for cleanup and restoration. DeSantis seeks the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
At 2 pm EDT Monday, the hurricane center reported 70 mph (110 kph) sustained winds 50 miles (80 kilometres) off Cuba’s western tip.
Idalia was heading north at 8 mph.
On Wednesday, it was predicted to hit Florida’s western shore as a hazardous major hurricane after turning northeast faster on Tuesday.
Cyclones have avoided the US East Coast this year. However, Tropical Storm Hilary produced widespread floods, mudslides, and traffic closures in Mexico, California, Nevada, and the north this month.
The NOAA predicted a much busier 2023 storm season due to exceptionally warm ocean temperatures. The season goes until Nov. 30, peaking in August and September.
On Sunday, Mexico’s National Meteorological Service predicted severe rainfall and 55-mph winds on the Yucatan Peninsula. The storm is expected to generate strong waves and flooding in southern Mexico, particularly in Yucatán and Quintana Roo, where Cancún is located. Local governments prepared shelters.
Franklin, the first major hurricane of the season, strengthened into a Category 4 storm off the US East Coast on Monday.
A tropical storm watch was issued for Bermuda.
