Flooding, Evacuations As Hurricane Idalia Bears Down On Florida

T​his article is no longer being updated. Here is Wednesday's live updates page.

Wednesday morning will bring devastating scenes along parts of Florida's Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Idalia was bearing down on the region overnight, with mandatory evacuations in at least 19 counties, roads flooding and the danger becoming increasingly more clear.

T​he storm was projected to make landfall in North Florida with storm surge up to 16 feet, but brings the potential for flooding, wind and other impacts to communities on the east side of its path, including the Tampa Bay area.

(​MORE: The Latest Forecast For Hurricane Idalia | Maps Tracker)

H​ere are our live updates as the situation unfolded Tuesday:

(​11:21 p.m. ET) Idalia Could Strengthen To Category 4 Before Landfall

I​dalia is currently in the Gulf of Mexico, about 185 miles south of Tallahassee. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting it to be an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm at landfall in Florida's Big Bend region. If so, it would be the first Category 4 storm on record there. Storm surge could reach 12 feet to 16 feet.

(11:16 p.m. ET) Conditions Will Deteriorate Overnight

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: Conditions across much of north Florida and southern Georgia will continue to deteriorate through the night and into the early morning hours. Bands of rain will become more frequent, winds will increase and water levels near the Gulf will also increase substantially. The worst conditions will most likely be in the Florida Big Bend near and just after sunrise. There will be several hours where it may be life-threatening to be outside of a sturdy structure as the core of the hurricane moves through. Wind gusts in a narrow corridor may eclipse 100 mph.

(​11:12 p.m. ET) More Than 5,000 National Guard Troops Activated

A​bout 5,500 Florida National Guard troops have been mobilized, nearly half of the entire force. The activation includes personnel from the 111th Aviation Regiment based in Jacksonville.

(​10:16 p.m. ET) Satellite Shows Telltale Sign Of Idalia Growing Stronger

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman: We've been able to see the hurricane's eye in radar imagery all day. Now the eye has cleared out in infrared satellite imagery. That's another sign it's intensifying.

(​10:09 p.m. ET) Schools Closed In Most Counties Across Florida

S​chools are closed until at least Thursday morning in 46 of Florida's 67 counties, according to a list compiled by the state Department of Education. The largest school districts among them include Brevard, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Orange, Pinellas and Polk.

(​9:57 p.m. ET) Hundreds Of Highway Patrol, Transportation Workers Standing By

M​ore than 300 members of the Florida Highway Patrol are standing by to help escort utility crews and other emergency personnel after the storm passes, according to a social media post from Gov. Ron DeSantis. There 700 state Department of Transportation employees and 400 pieces of heavy equipment prepared to clear roadways.

(​9:48 p.m. ET) Thousands Of Inmates Relocated

S​ome 4,000 inmates have been evacuated or relocated across Florida.

According to an update from the state this evening: "Evacuation determinations are made in the best interest of the public, staff and inmate safety. Multiple satellite facilities, community work release centers and work camps were evacuated in an abundance of caution. Inmates were relocated to larger main units (parent facilities), better equipped to weather the storm."

(​9:36 p.m. ET) Tallahassee Airport Closing

T​he Florida capital city's airport will shut down at 11 p.m. eastern time tonight. Airports in Tampa, St. Petersburg-Clearwater and Sarasota have already closed. Sarasota plans to reopen tomorrow morning, pending damage assessments. St. Pete-Clearwater is expected to reopen at 3 p.m. tomorrow and Tampa anticipates remaining closed until Thursday morning.

(​8:18 p.m. ET) Where Is Idalia Now?

The center of the storm is about 245 miles south of Tallahassee, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Wind gusts over 50 mph have been measured in some spots in southwest Florida. Maximum sustained winds are 105 mph, a slight increase in the past few hours.

(​7:56 p.m. ET) California Sending Search And Rescue Personnel To Florida, Georgia

Six urban search and rescue team members from California are deploying to Orlando, Florida, and three to Atlanta, according to a statement from California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office.

(​7:03 p.m. ET) Waves Crash Over Damaged Sanibel Causeway

P​hotos from Sanibel Fire Rescue District showed waves crashing over a portion of the Sanibel Causeway in Southwest Florida. The causeway is still undergoing repairs after extensive damage from Hurricane Ian last year. Residents are being told to stay off the bridge during the storm.

(​6:50 p.m. ET) Entire Florida County Under Evacuation Order

A​ mandatory evacuation order went into effect at 4:30 p.m. eastern time for everyone in Gilchrist County. The county, with a population of about 19,000 people, sits in a rural area between Gainesville and the Gulf of Mexico.

P​ortions of at least 18 other counties are also under mandatory evacuation orders, mostly for areas or structures most vulnerable to flooding. They include: Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.

(​5:55 p.m. ET) Idalia's Storm Surge Could Pass 12 Feet

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman: We'll likely remember Idalia most for the prolific storm surge along Florida's Big Bend. In a few areas, Idalia's peak surge could exceed the up to 12-foot surge during the March 1993 Superstorm and the 10 to 13-foot surge during the Sept. 1896 hurricane.

Time is running out. Water will rise overnight.

We cannot stress enough how vital it is to evacuate, immediately, if you've been ordered to do so by local officials.

You don't want to be there when a surge of that magnitude, with battering waves, arrives. It may be the last thing you ever do.

(5:22 p.m. ET) Aircraft Evacuated From Florida's MacDill Air Force Base

All aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa have been evacuated or secured in preparation for Idalia. A video recorded by one of the planes evacuation captured a lightning phenomenon known as St. Elmo's Fire

M​acDill Air Force Base is home to about 30 different aircraft, including a dozen KC-135 refuelers, according to the base website. About 6,600 military and civilian personnel are stationed there. It's located on a peninsula that juts into Tampa Bay south of the city's downtown.

(​5:12 p.m. ET) Idalia Now A Category 2 Hurricane

W​ith maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, Idalia has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane. The storm could strengthen more before landfall. H​urricanes are ranked one through five based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A Category 2 storm packs winds between 96 mph and 110 mph and can be expected to cause extensive damage.

(​5:02 p.m. ET) In Cedar Key, 'There's Really Not Any Reason To Stay'

C​edar Key City Commissioner Sue Colson said in a phone interview that there's a feeling of "a lot of anticipation" on the small Florida barrier island right now.

“It's very dangerous ... The threat to Cedar Key is immense and (people) need to leave," Colson said.

"There's really not any reason to stay. They need to go."

(4:51 p.m. ET) NWS Director: ‘The Time To Act Is Now’

Time to prepare is running out as Hurricane Idalia churns toward the Florida coast.

“The time to act is now,” National Weather Service (NWS) director Ken Graham said in a press conference a few minutes ago. “So today while we got daylight, really rush all those preparations to completion, as conditions will deteriorate overnight.”

Graham warned that in addition to storm surge and flooding, people also need to beware of indirect impacts like downed power lines, power outages and heat.

“Some of the fatalities associated with those can often exceed the direct fatalities” Graham said. “After the storm is over doesn’t mean the danger is over.”

(​4:43 p.m. ET) The Latest On Idalia’s Track

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: The track could still wobble a bit, but overall the forecast is pretty spot on at this point. One minor change is that the wind speed by landfall could be a high end Category 3 or low end Category 4 by the time we get landfall around dawn tomorrow morning in Apalachee Bay. Storm surge remains the most serious of those impacts along the coast, as well as the possibility of inland flooding, downed trees and maybe a few tornadoes.

(​4:28 p.m. ET) Amtrak Trains Canceled, Routes Altered

A​mtrak is canceling or modifying several routes today and tomorrow. Those include trains between Miami and New York; Sanford, Florida, and Lorton, Virginia; New York and Savannah, Georgia.

(3:55 p.m. ET) Curfew Ordered In Savannah, Georgia

A 6 p.m. curfew will be in effect on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a local emergency order signed by Savannah mayor Van Johnson.

The emergency order will take effect on Wednesday at 6 a.m. In addition to the curfew, non-emergency essential government offices will close and night street cleaning will be suspended.

(3:28 p.m. ET) South Carolina Declares State of Emergency

Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency in South Carolina ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall.

“We are expecting at the very least high wind and high water, so we have to be prepared,” McMaster said in a press conference. “But I do not anticipate issuing any evacuation orders. I do not anticipate closing any state agencies or facilities.”

Idalia will weaken into a tropical storm when it moves into South Carolina on Wednesday, according to National Hurricane Center predictions. Storm conditions may last through Thursday morning.

(2:09 p.m. ET) Busch Gardens Tampa And Adventure Island Close Doors For Idalia

The two theme parks have enacted their Named Storm Policy, suspending operations to ensure the safety of guests, animals and staff.

Busch Gardens Tampa will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, remain closed all of Wednesday and plans to reopen on Thursday. Adventure Island is closed from Tuesday to Thursday and plans to reopen on Friday.

Visitors with trips that have been impacted by closures can request a Weather-or-Not Assurance ticket within one week of their visit to either park.

Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island are both located in Hillsborough County, where a state of emergency and mandatory evacuations for certain vulnerable areas are currently in effect.

(1:50 p.m. ET) Georgia Declares State Of Emergency

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency for all of Georgia, his office said in a press release.

"We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia's landfall tomorrow, and I am taking this additional executive action to ensure state assets are ready to respond,” Kemp said in the press release.

Hurricane Idalia is expected to bring heavy rainfall and damaging winds throughout southeast Georgia late on Wednesday. Seven counties in the state are currently under a hurricane warning and two counties are under a hurricane watch.

(1:35 p.m. ET) What To Know About Flood And Homeowners Insurance

Here are some insurance tips to keep in mind while preparing for a hurricane:

2. Flood insurance policies usually take at least 30 days to go into effect, so last minute changes may not be covered.

3. Most homeowners insurance will cover structural damage from things like fallen trees and rain.

4. If you live in a high-risk area, your insurance policy might have a separate “hurricane deductible” for named storms.

5. Some coastal areas may require a wind damage policy on top of homeowners and flood insurance.

(1:04 p.m. ET) ‘You Just Kind Of Cross Your Fingers’

One restaurant in Clearwater Beach is making final preparations as Hurricane Idalia heads towards the Florida Coast.

Chris Tiemeier, general manager of Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, describes moving foods out of freezers, pulling furniture indoors and putting up boards to protect the restaurant.

The restaurant is only a couple of feet above sea level in an area that is expected to see four to seven feet of storm surge on Wednesday if the peak surge coincides with high tide.

“You just kind of cross your fingers,” Tiemeier said during a live interview with The Weather Channel. “We picked everything off the floor and put it on tables inside the restaurant. If it comes it comes.”

Click here to watch the full interview.

(12:45 p.m. ET) FAA Closing Gulf Routes As Idalia Strengthens

The Federal Aviation Administration has started rerouting flights and closing routes in the Gulf of Mexico as Idalia approaches and continues to strengthen. They are likely to pause flights at Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports as weather conditions deteriorate.

Flight cancellations continue out of airports in Idalia’s projected path, including airports along Florida’s southern and west coasts as well as Atlanta and Charlotte.

(12:03 p.m. ET) 49 Florida Counties Under Emergency Declarations

A state of emergency has been declared in 49 Florida counties ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s expected landfall on Wednesday, according to a press release.

That’s just under 75 percent of Florida’s 67 total counties that are now under emergency declarations.

For how to find out whether you live in one of Florida’s evacuation zones, click here.

(11:48 a.m. ET) Florida Gas Stations Starting To Run Low on Fuel

Gas stations are starting to run low on fuel in towns near Hurricane Idalia’s predicted path as well as along evacuation routes. GasBuddy.com’s outage tracker shows several stations in the Tampa, Clearwater, and Gainesville areas with “limited fuel” options or no fuel at all as people gas up their vehicles and fill gas cans for their generators.

(11:02 a.m. ET) North Carolina Declares State Of Emergency

North Carolina has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Idalia, according to a press release.

“We are continuing to monitor Idalia’s course and its potential impacts on our state and it’s critical to make sure we are fully prepared,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in the release.

Residents are advised to gather emergency kits and prepare for the storm before it is too late. Other tips to stay prepared include having multiple ways to receive emergency information, making an emergency plan and checking whether you live in a coastal evacuation zone.

Areas along the North Carolina coast should start to feel tropical storm force winds late Wednesday, with peak impacts likely occurring between late Wednesday to Thursday.

(10:35 a.m. ET) Cedar Key Bridges Not Expected To Withstand Idalia

Residents and business owners are boarding up and heading out of Cedar Key, Florida, a tiny island town currently in the direct path of Hurricane Idalia. Officials have warned the bridges are not expected to withstand the storm surge and emergency help may not be able to reach the island.

The closest general and pet-friendly shelter is at Bronson Middle/High School and the closest special needs shelter is at Bronson Elementary School. Cedar Key is home to about 700 people and has one K-12 public school.

(10:00 a.m. ET) How Will Idalia Affect Georgia, South Carolina?

Tropical storm warnings are in place in parts of southeast Georgia and tropical storm watches currently extend from the state’s central coast up through coastal parts of South Carolina.

Tropical storm force winds are expected in areas around Charleston by late Wednesday. Areas along the coast may see some storm surge flooding as well as chances for regular flooding and tornadoes.

“This is going to be a very impactful storm as it moves its way inland, even though it’s going to overall lose a lot of its wind strength,” said weather.com meteorologist Ari Sarsalari.

Click here to watch the latest forecast.

(9:38 a.m. ET) Photos: Idalia Brings Flooding To Cuba

Streets are flooded after Idalia approached Cuba as a tropical storm on Monday. The National Hurricane Center forecasted four to seven inches of rain, with localized totals up to 10 inches. The storm hit the westernmost part of Cuba hardest, including the province of Pinar del Rio, which is still recovering from Hurricane Ian's blow last year.

H​ere are new images out of Cuba:

(9:19 a.m. ET) Air Travel Update: Airports Closed, Hundreds Of Flights Canceled

Hundreds of flights have been canceled into and out of Florida for today and tomorrow. Tampa Bay International Airport has already closed and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close at 3 p.m.

United Airlines has added additional flights out of Orlando and Sarasota to help visitors leave the area. United and other airlines, including American, are also offering free rebooking of flights affected by the incoming storm.

The FAA cautioned that high winds and thunderstorms will likely impact airports in Naples, Fort Myers, Orlando and Gainesville as Idalia makes its way through the state.

(8:50 a.m. ET) One Part Of Idalia Preparation You Didn’t Think About

One thing that might not be top of mind when getting ready for a tropical cyclone is giving blood. But this is the key time to donate, as collections can be disrupted at blood banks for days after a storm.

You can learn more about it here.

(8:25 a.m. ET) Idalia Could Be Unprecedented For Apalachee Bay

If Hurricane Idalia were to make landfall in Apalachee Bay as a major hurricane, it would be the first time since record-keeping began in 1851. As a result, the National Weather Service’s Tallahassee office explicitly stated the importance of getting ready for the storm and evacuating when told.

"You need to complete your preparations today if you live in the Florida big bend," a forecast discussion read. "Don’t mess around with this. Follow the advice of your local emergency management."

(​8 a.m. ET) Flooding, Outages Reported In Cuba

I​dalia brushed western Cuba Monday night as it strengthened and moved northward. The storm's rain and winds were strong enough to trigger flooding and power outages in several towns, including in the province of Pinar del Rio, which is still recovering from Hurricane Ian's damaging blow last September.

I​t wasn't immediately clear how many people were hurt by the storm's brush with western Cuba, or if there were any deaths.

(​7:15 a.m. ET) Florida EMA Director: 'I Hope People Aren't Dropping Their Guard'

S​peaking with The Weather Channel storm tracker Jim Cantore this morning, Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Emergency Management Agency, said he fears the slow development of Idalia into a hurricane might have some Florida residents falsely thinking the storm won't rapidly intensify after all.

"​I am concerned and I hope people aren’t dropping their guard," he said.

G​uthrie added that he's concerned about the inland impacts from the hurricane as well, especially in areas with dense tree cover in northern parts of the state.

(​6:30 a.m. ET) Where Is Jim Cantore Today?

I​t's a top search trend – where is The Weather Channel storm tracker Jim Cantore headed for Hurricane Idalia coverage? This morning, he'll be reporting live from Cedar Key, Florida, southwest of Gainesville along the Big Bend.

"W​here I'm standing is going to be under quite a lot of water, actually," he said during a live report this morning.

S​ee more of Cantore's live reporting from this morning.

(​5:30 a.m. ET) Preparations Should Be Completed This Morning, NWS Says

T​he National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office urged Florida residents in the path of the storm to finish preparations for Idalia this morning, because the storm's wind and rain were expected to begin hitting the coastline tonight.

"​You should be wrapping up your preparation for #TropicalStormIdalia tonight and Tues morning at the latest," the office said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

G​ov. Ron DeSantis warned that the state was expecting a "major impact" to the state from the hurricane.

"​The property – we can rebuild someone’s home," he told reporters yesterday. "You can’t unring the bell, though, if somebody stays in harm’s way and does battle with Mother Nature."

(​5 a.m. ET) Idalia Is Now A Hurricane

A​s expected, Idalia officially strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph this morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is now about 85 miles north of the western tip of Cuba with nothing but open water that's ripe for strengthening today.

H​ere's the forecast cone as of the 5 a.m. ET advisory:

For Monday's live updates page, click here.

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