Tropical Storm Idalia, a separate hurricane in the western Atlantic Ocean, is expected to clobber Florida and the Panhandle
A separate hurricane, Franklin, was active in the western Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. Franklin was expected to affect parts ofBermuda but not make a direct hit on the US, though the storm could produce rip currents on the East Coast.
He added that other states in the southeastern U.S. such as Georgia and the Carolinas can expect to see heavy rainfall midweek and later regardless of how strong Idalia becomes.
Forecasters say the system, known as Tropical Storm Idalia, could intensify in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters and has the potential to clobber western Florida and the Panhandle with severe weather starting on Tuesday.
“There’s a notable risk of rapid intensification while the system moves across the record warm eastern and northeastern Gulf of Mexico,” the National Hurricane Center said in a Sunday morning forecast.
Florida’s Division of Emergency Management is encouraging residents with vehicles to keep their gas tanks at least half-full in case officials order any evacuations.
In order to prepare for potential storms, the state of Florida has declared a state of emergency in 33 counties.
Idalia moved east at 2 mph with its highest sustained winds of 40 mph, according to the NHC.
Even if you are outside the cone, you have to pay attention if you are on the western Florida peninsula, said National Hurricane Center deputy director Jamie Rhome.
Forecasters said parts of Cuba could see as many as 4 to 6 feet of storm surge and between 4 and 10 inches of rain, which could produce flash flooding and landslides.
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A number of Florida school districts had already announced closures on Tuesday, and the state’s Department of Health was working to ensure residents could fill their prescriptions early.
During his press conference, he said there would be an order to evacuate counties along the Gulf Coast.
“All the barrier islands, places that are low-lying along the coast, you are going to be told to evacuate,” DeSantis said, adding that that could mean relocating as few as tens of miles inland.
The White House said President Biden and DeSantis spoke Monday about preparations for Idalia. The Federal Emergency Management Agency had dispatched personnel and supplies to the region ahead of the storm, after Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida.
“This is gonna be a major hurricane. This is gonna be a powerful hurricane, and this is absolutely gonna impact the state of Florida in many, many different ways,” DeSantis said during a Monday morning press conference.