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Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen ahead of Florida landfall
Idalia is forecast to become a major category 3 hurricane prior to Florida landfall.
Kaitlyn McGrath, Miri Marshall, Makayla Lucero
7:42 AM EDT August 25, 2023
6:16 AM EDT August 29, 2023
WASHINGTON —
Hurricane Idalia
Idalia is now a category 2 hurricane and forecast to strengthen rapidly throughout the night. It’s expected to become a major category 3 hurricane ahead of landfall early Wednesday morning.
There is a high risk for life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds along the Gulf coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Flooding and wind threats will start to ramp up late Tuesday afternoon ahead of landfall.
The National Hurricane center is urging residents in Florida and other areas to keep track of the latest progress this system.
While landfall is expected along the Big Bend of Florida, impacts will be very far reaching and significant storm surge is expected along the entire Florida Gulf coast in addition to parts of northeast Florida into the Carolinas.
Timeline of Idalia impacts:
Tuesday 4:00 PM
The Florida Gulf coast will start to feel the impacts of Idalia shortly after lunchtime Tuesday between the outer convective bands and gusty winds.
Tuesday 11:00 PM
Life threatening storm-surge, urban flooding and hurricane force winds become a widespread threat ahead of landfall.
Wednesday 8:00 AM
Idalia is set to make landfall early Wednesday morning along the Gulf coast of Florida near the Big Bend.
Wednesday 5:00 PM
The storm will continue to trek through Georgia and evening into South Carolina later Wednesday evening as a Tropical Storm.
Thursday 7:00 AM
Idalia remains a tropical storm skirting up to the coast of South Carolina bringing heavy rain and tropical storm force winds in addition to significant storm surge threats.
Hurricane Franklin
Franklin became a category 4 hurricane on Monday and that made it the first major hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. It has since weakened to Category 3 strength. Hurricane Franklin will pass near Bermuda early Wednesday and the threat for large waves and rip current to both the island and much of the east coast will continue into the end of the week. Once it passes Bermuda, it will continue to weaken over the cooler waters of the north Atlantic Ocean.
We typically see the most tropical activity from mid-August through mid-October with the official peak of the Atlantic hurricane season marked on September 10th.