Austin Texas News

A state of emergency has been declared for parts of Florida as Tropical Storm Idalia makes its way for the state’s Gulf Coast. Idalia is forecast to be at or near major hurricane strength before making landfall. Cristian Benevides reports.

Florida utility mobilizes 4,500 power line technicians and other personnel as major storm bears down on Gulf Coast.

While Hurricanes Idalia and Franklin are not expected to cross paths, the news of two storms nearing the U.S. at the same time has raised questions.

Idalia is expected to grow into a Category 3 hurricane before hitting Florida early Wednesday. Michael Brennan, director of the NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, joined CBS News with details on the storm’s path and what to expect.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale​ rates hurricanes on a scale from 1 to 5.

Tracking toward Florida, Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane, impacting cities like Tampa and Orlando along its path.

“Floridians should expect that this storm will be a major Cat 3+ hurricane, so please prepare accordingly,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

An entire town in southwestern Louisiana is under mandatory evacuation orders because of the Tiger Island Fire, a wildfire that state officials say is the largest they have ever seen. Louisiana has been plagued by record-breaking heat and extreme drought. This month alone, there have been an unprecedented 441 wildfires in the state. CBS News’ Janet Shamlian reports.

Idalia could hit the Florida Panhandle as a hurricane and Hurricane Franklin is already the Atlantic season’s first major hurricane, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Idalia’s maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph. It’s expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday.

Greece has been plagued by daily outbreaks of dozens of fires over the past week as gale-force winds and hot, dry summer conditions combined to whip up flames and hamper firefighting efforts.

Raging wildfires in southwestern Louisiana have forced an entire town of about 1,200 people to abandon their homes. Officials say wind patterns and intense heat are making the fires unpredictable. Nicole Sganga reports.

Firefighters in Louisiana are stretched thin, battling several dozen wildfires, including the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish, which has alone burned more than 23 square miles and forced the evacuation of the entire town of Merryville. Nicole Sganga has the latest.

At least five people were killed in powerful thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes that battered Michigan beginning Thursday night. More than 200 homes and businesses in the Detroit area were flooded. Roxana Saberi reports.

While nearly all of Louisiana is abnormally dry for this time of year, half of the state is facing “extreme” or “exceptional” drought, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.