Hurricane Idalia to Hit Florida with "Catastrophic" Effect: One Word - Leave

Hurricane Idalia strengthens to Category 4 storm, threatening Florida's Big Bend region with storm surges and rainfall. Evacuations ordered.

Hurricane Idalia, a dangerous Category 4 storm, is approaching Florida's Big Bend region, posing a significant threat of storm surges and heavy rainfall. Residents in vulnerable coastal areas have been ordered to evacuate as local authorities warn of catastrophic damage. Idalia is projected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of at least 130 mph in the lightly populated Big Bend region. This could have a major impact on a state still recovering from the damage caused by last year's Hurricane Ian. The National Weather Service has called Idalia an unprecedented event, as no major hurricanes have ever passed through the bay adjacent to the Big Bend.

Hurricanes are categorized on a scale of one to five, with Category 5 being the strongest. A Category 4 storm is considered to bring catastrophic damage. As of 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Idalia was located about 60 miles west of Cedar Key and 90 miles south of Tallahassee, moving north at 18 mph. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for nearly 900 residents in Cedar Key, where storm surge could reach as high as 15 feet. Government officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, have emphasized the urgency of leaving the area and seeking higher ground.

While some residents are choosing to stay behind, such as the owner of the Island Hotel in Cedar Key, who feels a responsibility to protect the historic building, the majority are heeding the evacuation orders. Tolls have been waived on highways out of the danger zone, shelters have been opened, and hotels are prepared to accommodate evacuees. Utility workers and National Guard troops are also mobilizing to make necessary repairs and provide assistance.

After making landfall in the Big Bend region, Idalia is expected to move across the Florida peninsula and bring heavy rainfall to southern Georgia and the Carolinas. States of emergency have been declared in Georgia and South Carolina, allowing for the mobilization of state resources and personnel. The storm has already caused significant damage in Cuba, particularly in the tobacco-growing province of Pinar del Rio.

With a large stretch of Florida's western coast at risk for storm surges and floods, evacuation notices have been issued in 22 counties, with mandatory orders in eight of those counties. Schools and universities along the Gulf Coast have closed, and major airports have suspended commercial operations. President Joe Biden has assured Governor DeSantis of the necessary support.

Last year's Hurricane Ian resulted in nearly 150 deaths and extensive damage to structures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recently revised its forecast for the 2023 hurricane season, predicting a higher level of activity due to exceptionally warm ocean temperatures. The peak of the hurricane season typically occurs in August and September.