Hurricane Idalia is approaching Florida. According to experts from the US National Hurricane Center, the element may reach the fourth category on the five-point ascending Saffir-Simpson scale. Flooding is already occurring in some coastal areas.
Idalia is located 200 kilometers west of the city of Tampa, Florida. The hurricane is accompanied by winds blowing at a speed of 175 kilometers per hour, the US National Hurricane Center (NGC) reported. According to experts, the element could gain strength and become a Category 4 hurricane on the five-point ascending Saffir-Simpson scale.
– Now is the critical moment. We’re going to be hit by a massive hurricane,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Tuesday evening, authorities issued an evacuation order for residents in at least 28 of Florida’s 67 counties. “If you haven’t evacuated, you must do so now,” Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s chief of emergency management, said during an evening press briefing. – You have to give up what you’re doing. You need to go to your room, pack your things and go to a safe place.”
Authorities in Pinellas County, among others, ordered a mandatory evacuation of all those living in caravans.
The path of Hurricane IdaliaNHC
A state of emergency in three states
Florida, as well as the neighboring states of Georgia and South Carolina, are under severe weather warnings. A state of emergency has been declared in all three states.
“They’re expecting fatalities, so I don’t want to be one of them,” said Rene Hoffman, 62, as she prepared to leave her home in Steinhatchee, Florida.
According to NHC Idalia, it could cause “catastrophic damage” and threaten the lives of residents and make some of the affected areas uninhabitable for weeks. 100-200 liters of rain per square meter may fall in places.
In Cuba, Idalia brought downpours and floodsReuters
Idalia in a satellite imageNASA Worldview
Main photo source: EPAPAP/EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH