Idalia becomes a hurricane, moving toward Florida

The aftermath of Hurricane Ian, as seen on September 9, 2022, in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Pic/AP

Idalia became a hurricane on Tuesday as it intensified on a path toward Florida's Gulf coast, with the National Hurricane Center warning of an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds in Florida in the next two days.

It's projected to have sustained winds of up to 193 kmph as it approaches Florida, the Hurricane Center said. That would make it a Category 3 hurricane. The center of Idalia is forecast to move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico later Tuesday, reach the Gulf coast of Florida within the Hurricane Warning area on Wednesday, and move close to the Carolina coastline on Thursday.

Florida residents loaded up on sandbags and evacuated from homes in low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast as Idalia intensified Monday and forecasters predicted it would hit in days as a major hurricane with potentially life-threatening storm surges.

As the state prepared, Idalia thrashed Cuba with heavy rain, especially in the westernmost part of the island, where the tobacco-producing province of Pinar del Rio is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian last year.

Authorities in the province issued a state of alert, and residents were evacuated to friends' and relatives' homes as authorities monitored the Cuyaguateje river for possible flooding. As much as 10 cm of rain fell in Cuba on Sunday, meteorological stations reported.

Also read: Mumbai weather update: Light rains in the city likely today

Idalia is expected to hit Florida with hurricane-force winds as soon as late Tuesday and arrive on the coast by Wednesday. It is the first storm to hit Florida this hurricane season and a potentially big blow to the state.

Governor declares state of emergency

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 46 counties in the northern half of the state. A total of 1,100 National Guard members with 2,400 high-water vehicles and 12 aircraft have been mobilised so far.

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