Hurricane Idalia – live: DeSantis warns ‘life-threatening’ Category 4 storm will make landfall within hours

Hurricane Idalia will make landfall in Florida within a matter of hours, bringing “life-threatening” storm surge to the Big Bend region, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned.

In an early morning press briefing, he said that the category 4 storm would barrel into the state with winds in excess of 130mph by around 8am ET on Wednesday.

“Don’t mess with this storm,” he said. “Don’t do anything that will put yourself in jeapardy.”

The briefing itself was hit with a brief power outage as the storm surge and hurricane-strength winds are already plunging thousands of homes into darkness.

The National Hurricane Center said in an update at around 5am ET that the storm had intensified from category 3 to category 4.

Idalia has already forced mass evacuations in low-lying areas and the state activated 55,000 national guardsmen and 25,000 electric linemen ahead of the hurricane’s arrival.

A terrifying forecast model has also shown that Hurricane Idalia could hit the state of Florida twice over the coming week. Global Forecasting System, a federal hurricane projection model, forecasts that Idalia will first make landfall on Florida’s big bend region on Wednesday morning.

Key points

• Idalia intensifies into Category 4 hurricane

• Governor Ron DeSantis warns of ‘life-threatening’ storm surge

• When will Hurricane Idalia make landfall in Florida?

• Hurricane Idalia mapped: Storm tracker

• Where does Idalia rank among strongest hurricanes to hit Florida?

In pictures: Hurricane Idalia storm surge hits western Florida

15:34 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch: Dangerous storm surge in Cedar Key, Florida on Wednesday morning

15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch: Time-lapse video from Steinhatchee, Florida this morning as flood waters rise

15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Lates: Idalia continues to move inland

15:03 , Oliver O'Connell

The 9.45am ET update from the National Weather Service in Tallahassee:

Idalia continues to move inland. Hurricane force wind gusts continue on the western edge of the eye wall. Additionally, very heavy rain will likely cause flash flooding as it moves into south-central Georgia over the next few hours.

And here’s the latest from the National Hurricane Center, which says that maximum sustained winds are now near 105mph and damaging winds are spreading into southern Georgia.

Uber offers free rides to take Floridians to emergency shelters

15:00 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis has announced that Uber is offering free rides to take Floridians to emergency shelters in counties in the path of Hurricane Idalia.

To receive a free ride to a shelter use code IDALIARELIEF in the Uber App. More information below:

Hours from high tide, storm surge makes its way through Crystal River, Florida

14:50 , Oliver O'Connell

WATCH: St. Elmo’s Fire phenomenon captured by evacuation plane

14:40 , Rachel Sharp

Meanwhile in St Petersburg, Florida

14:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Why stormy weather this week could make or break Ron DeSantis

14:20 , Rachel Sharp

It’s no secret at this point that Ron DeSantis’s image has taken a hit since he hit his peak in November 2022 after he cruised to a nearly 20-point re-election as Florida governor in an otherwise dim year from Republicans. His lacklustre performance on the presidential campaign trail has led to many people questioning whether he can go the distance against Donald Trump in the GOP presidential primary.

And it looks like he might literally be facing even rougher waters than he already has weathered. This last week, a white gunman killed shot and killed three Black people at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville. In response, Mr DeSantis said that “the shooting, based on the manifesto that they discovered from the scumbag who did this, was racially motivated. He was targeting people based on their race.”

But when he attended a vigil in Jacksonville, a historically Republican city that recently elected a Democratic mayor, the residents of the city were not having it and they heckled the governor.

Mr DeSantis has staked his claim on making Florida a place where “wokeness” comes to die and has passed laws restricting how race is taught in classrooms in the state. Others Black leaders, including some Black Republican members of Congress, have also criticised the state’s middle school history curriculum, which says that enslaved people “developed skills” that could be “applied for personal benefit.”

Read more from Eric Garcia on how Hurricane Idalia will impact Ron DeSantis’s precarious political position.

Why stormy weather this week could make or break Ron DeSantis

Florida’s Big Bend hit with ‘catastrophic storm surge’

14:06 , Rachel Sharp

Florida’s Big Bend region is being hit with “catastrophic storm surge”, according to The National Hurricane Center.

A 9am ET update said: “Catastrophic storm surge occurring along the coast of the Florida Big Bend and damaging winds spreading inland over northern Florida.”

DeSantis refuses to call out Trump’s silence on Hurricane Idalia

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis has refused to call out Donald Trump’s deafening silence over Hurricane Idalia – as the former president stays mum despite being a resident of the Sunshine State.

The Florida governor held an early morning press conference in Tallahassee on Wednesday where he warned residents that the category 4 hurricane would make landfall within around two hours, bringing with it “life-threatening” storm surges to the Big Bend region.

When asked in the briefing to comment on the fact that Mr Trump has not addressed the dangerous storm heading to the state that he calls home, Mr DeSantis quickly dismissed the question.

Read on...

DeSantis refuses to call out Trump’s silence on Hurricane Idalia

WATCH: Florida highway partially submerged as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall

13:40 , Rachel Sharp

Forecast shows Hurricane Idalia could hit Florida twice

13:20 , Rachel Sharp

A terrifying forecast model has shown that Hurricane Idalia could hit the state of Florida twice over the coming week.

Global Forecasting System, a federal hurricane projection model, forecasts that Idalia will first make landfall on Florida’s big bend region on Wednesday morning.

It will then travel up through north Florida and into Georgia and South Carolina, before heading back out into the Atlantic.

However, after that, the storm is forecast to turn southwest and head back toward Florida’s Atlantic coast to make landfall in the state for a second time on Monday.

Idalia moves inland from Florida’s Big Bend

13:10 , Rachel Sharp

Idalia is moving inland from Florida’s Big Bend region, the National Hurricane Center said in an udpate at around 8am ET.

“Hurricane #Idalia Advisory 15A: Eye of Idalia Moving Just Inland From the Florida Big Bend Coast. Catastrophic Storm Surge and Damaging Hurricane-Force Winds Continue,” the NHC tweeted.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida as a “life-threatening” Category 3 storm at around 7.45am ET.

The “extremely dangerous Category 3” hurricane is bringing with it maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds to the Sunshine State.

Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida

12:56 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Idalia has made landfall in Florida, hitting the Big Bend region as a “life-threatening” Category 3 storm.

The National Hurricane Center said in a 7.45am ET update that the “extremely dangerous Category 3” hurricane made landfall, bringing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds.

Thousands of Florida inmates relocated from prisons ahead of hurricane

12:40 , Rachel Sharp

Around 4,000 inmates have been moved from prisons ahead of Hurricane Idalia making landfall in Florida.

The Florida Department of Corrections announced on Tuesday evening that inmates housed in facilities along the projected path of the major hurricane were being evacuated to facilities better equipped to handle the storm.

This included inmates from the following facilities:

• Bradenton Bridge

• Bridges of Cocoa

• Bridges of Jacksonville

• Bridges of Lake City

• Bridges of Orlando

• Bridges of Santa Fe

• Cross City Work Camp

• Dayton Beach CRC

• Desoto Work Camp

• Ft. Pierce CRC

• Hardee Work Camp

• Hernando CI

• Jacksonville Bridges

• Kissimmee CRC

• Lancaster Work Camp

• Largo Road Prison

• Madison Work Camp

• Miami North CRC

• Opa Locka CRC

• Orlando Bridge

• Orlando CRC

• Panama City CRC

• Reality House

• Re-entry of Ocala

• Shisha House

• St. Pete CRC

• Suncoast CRC

• TTH Bartow

• TTH Dinsmore

• TTH Kissimmee

• TTH Tarpon Springs

• Tallahassee CRC

• Tomoka CRC

• Tomoka Work Camp

• Turning Point

Visitations have also been canceled at other facilities.

WATCH: Ron DeSantis' press conference hit by power cut as Florida braces for Hurricane Idalia

12:30 , Rachel Sharp

DeSantis refuses to call out Trump’s silence on Idalia

12:15 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis refused to call out Donald Trump’s silence on Storm Idalia – despite the former president being a resident of the Sunshine State.

When asked in the briefing about the fact that Mr Trump has not commented on the storm, Mr DeSantis quickly dismissed the question.

“Not my concern. My concern is protecting the people of Florida, being ready to go.”

He added of the preparedness: “In Florida, you just have to do this.”

‘Don’t mess with this storm'

12:05 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis warned residents “don’t mess with this storm” as he said that Hurricane Idalia will likely make landfall by 8am ET.

“Don’t mess with this storm,” he said.

“Don’t do anything that will put yourself in jeapardy.”

Ron DeSantis’ press conference is hit with brief power outage

11:55 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis’ press conference was hit with a brief power outage as the governor spoke about Storm Idalia wiping out power to homes across the Big Bend region.

The briefing went dark momentarily before a generator kicked in and lights came back on.

Around 50,000 homes across the state are currently without power while 100,000 homes have already had their power restored.

Officials warn that emergency services may not be able to reach people in storm

11:44 , Rachel Sharp

In the briefing, officials warned that emergency services may not be able to reach people in the midst of the storm.

Search and rescue operations are poised and ready to go as soon as the storm passes but – during the storm – residens were urged to look after their families and hunker down in their homes.

“We are here, we are ready. We will deploy recovery teams as soon as we can,” one official said.

Even after the storm passes, Mr DeSantis urged people to proceed with caution:

- Do not drive in flooded streets

- Assume all downed power lines are live

- Do not misuse generators (for risk of carbon monoxide poisoning)

‘Life-threatening’ storm surge expected: Ron DeSantis

11:42 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis warned that the storm surge from Idalia will be “life-threatening”.

“The storm surge up to 16 feet in some areas of the Big Bend region – this storm is life-threatening,” he said.

“So do not go outside in the storm... if it’s calm where you are it may be because you are in the eye of the storm.”

Residents are urged to hunker down until further notice.

Florida Governor DeSantis says Idalia will make landfall in next two hours

11:37 , Rachel Sharp

In the press briefing, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that Hurricane Idalia will make landfall in Florida in the next two hours.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Taylor County and the Big Bend region, he said.

Idalia is now a category 4 storm which means it has sustained winds in excess of 130mph.

WATCH LIVE: Ron DeSantis gives briefing on Idalia

11:30 , Rachel Sharp

WATCH: Flood barrier installed around hospital as Hurricane Idalia barrels towards Florida

11:13 , Rachel Sharp

National Hurricane Center’s 6am ET update:

11:06 , Rachel Sharp

“Here is the 6am EDT Position Update for #Hurricane #Idalia. Catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds will begin soon in the Florida Big Bend near where the core of the hurricane makes landfall,” the agency tweeted.

Governor Ron DeSantis to hold press conference on Wednesday morning

10:58 , Rachel Sharp

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference at 6.30am ET on Wednesday morning as Hurricane Idalia heads to make landfall in the state.

FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie, Major General John Haas, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Doug Schofield and Leon County Commisioner Christian Caban will also appear at the briefing.

The Independent will bring updates from the briefing here.

Map of peak storm surges:

10:40 , Rachel Sharp

The National Hurricane Center has released maps of the current peak storm surge.

Idalia strengthens to Category 4 hurricane

10:24 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Idalia has strengthened into a dangerous Category 4 storm as it barrels towards Florida where it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday morning.

The storm intensified to a Category 4 major hurricane at around 5am ET with the National Hurricane Center warning of “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” nearing the Florida Big Bend.

Port Canaveral shutters as Idalia barrels towards Florida

10:20 , Rachel Sharp

Port Canaveral has shuttered all operations as Category 3 Hurricane Idalia barrels towards Florida.

The US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville said in a news release on Tuesday night that the port – which is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports – had been set to hurricane condition “ZULU”.

This means that Port Canaveral is closed and has ceased all waterside and vessel shoreside port operations until further notice.

“Based on current forecasts and storm information, Port Canaveral is not issuing a marina evacuation order for Hurricane Idalia. Vessels berthed at marinas located in Port Canaveral should consult with their marina owner/operator and comply with marina specific requirements and precautions,” the USCG said.

“Continue to monitor Port Canaveral and https://twitter.com/BrevardEOC and the Port Status Hotline at 321-394-3411 for updates.”

Idalia causes widespread power outages in Big Bend region

10:00 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Idalia has caused widespread power outages in the Big Bend region of Florida, plunging thousands of residents into darkness as they brace for the incoming storm.

More than 49,000 customers were without power as of 4.30am ET on Wednesday morning, according to Poweroutage.us.

At this time, the hurricane is yet to make landfall.

When it does, further power outages are expected as the state is pelted with “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds”.

WATCH: World Equestrian Center races to protect horses as Hurricane Idalia heads for Florida

09:40 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen as it heads for Florida

09:20 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen as it heads for Florida, where residents have been warned to brace for “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds”.

“Hurricane Hunter data indicate that Hurricane #Idalia is still strengthening,” the National Hurricane Center said.

“Catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds will begin soon in the Florida Big Bend near where the core of the hurricane makes landfall.”

Tampa Police Chief warns: ‘Turn around, don’t drown'

09:00 , Josh Marcus

Florida leaders are warning residents against driving through dangerous storm surge waters, saying that conditions can escalate unexpectedly within minutes.

“I was out on Bayshore today at 1:30, and it was dry — literally a half hour later there were portions of Bayshore that were already flooded. I witnessed for myself people driving in the water,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said on Tuesday. “Don’t be that person. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown.”

Tornado watch for parts of Florida

08:40 , Stuti Mishra

Meanwhile, a tornado watch was also issued until 6am ET for 3.7 million people in the western peninsula of Florida.

When and where will Idalia make landfall today?

08:30 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Idalia, now a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120mph, is barrelling toward Florida's coast, already battering it with high tides and ferocious winds.

The storm is expected to make landfall between 6am and 9am this morning south of Perry, Florida, after becoming an even stronger Category 4 hurricane, which means it should be considered "extremely dangerous".

It is expected to reach wind speeds in excess of 130mph, with the most extreme winds passing just southeast of Tallahassee.

"Additional strengthening is forecast, and Idalia is forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane before it reaches the Big Ben coast of Florida this morning," said the National Hurricane Center in its early morning update.

"Idalia is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and possibly when it reaches the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina late today."

In the state's Big Bend area, forecasters are warning of a record-breaking storm surge of 10 to 15 feet.

Watch live: Hurricane Idalia pummels Cedar Key, Florida as it comes ashore

08:10 , Stuti Mishra

Watch live as Hurricane Idalia pummels Cedar Key, Florida as it comes ashore.

Watch live: Hurricane Idalia pummels Cedar Key, Florida as it comes ashore

Despite rivalry, Gavin Newsom sending search-and-rescue team to Florida

07:59 , Josh Marcus

California Gavin Newsom has made no secret of his distaste for Florida governor Ron DeSantis, but the Democrat’s office announced on Tuesday he’s sending state search-and-rescue specialists to assist the Gulf region in responding to Hurricane Idalia.

Here’s more on the long, complicated relationship between the two men.

The long, bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom

Idalia to bring 12-16 feet storm surge

07:55 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Idalia’s most dangerous feature appears to be the powerful surge of wind-driven seawater that is expected to hit barrier islands and other low-lying areas along the coast.

The NHC warning centre shows the storm could bring sea surge as high as 16 feet to some areas, particularly from St Marks to Cedar Key.

"That will be catastrophic and you can't survive that," warned meteorologist Craig Ceecee. "Anyone still there in a flood zone needs to leave now while they still have a chance."

Idalia to bring 12-16 feet storm surge

07:30 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Idalia’s most dangerous feature appears to be the powerful surge of wind-driven seawater that is expected to hit barrier islands and other low-lying areas along the coast.

The NHC warning centre shows the storm could bring sea surge as high as 16 feet to some areas, particularly from St Marks to Cedar Key.

"That will be catastrophic and you can't survive that," warned meteorologist Craig Ceecee.

"Anyone still there in a flood zone needs to leave now while they still have a chance."

Idalia intensifies to Category 3

07:10 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Idalia has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center, as it continues to barrel towards Florida's Gulf Coast gaining further strength.

The storm, which is packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, is now classified as a major hurricane, with catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds expected in the Big Bend region.

Idalia will further grow in strength and become a Category 4 "extremely dangerous" storm by the time it makes landfall today in south of Perry, Florida.

The hurricane is about 100 miles southwest of Cedar Key and 175 miles south of Tallahassee, and is moving at about 15 mph.

Watch: Hurricane Idalia batters Key West resort

06:50 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Idalia batters Key West resort

Millions in and close to Florida under Idalia-related advisories

06:30 , Stuti Mishra

Most of Florida’s 21 million residents, along with many in Georgia and South Carolina, are under hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings and advisories as Idalia is set to make landfall on Wednesday.

State emergency declarations were issued in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

In Florida, Idalia-related disruptions extended to its Atlantic coast at Cape Canaveral, where the Tuesday launch of a rocket carrying a US Space Force intelligence satellite was delayed indefinitely due to the hurricane.

The NHC said Idalia’s centre would likely hit Florida’s coastline somewhere in the Big Bend region, where the state’s northern panhandle curves into the Gulf side of the Florida Peninsula, roughly bounded by the inland cities of Gainesville and Tallahassee, the state capital.

Satellite visuals show lightning within Hurricane Idalia

06:00 , Stuti Mishra

New satellite images taken during sunset on Tuesday show the rapidly intensifying Hurricane Idalia churning towards Florida, with lightning spotted within its rainbands.

Biden promises federal government will give Florida ‘everything they need’ to respond to Idalia

05:40 , Stuti Mishra

The White House says it will do whatever is necessary to support Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

“We’re gonna make sure that they have everything they need,” the president said on Tuesday.

Hurricane Idalia expected to land as Category 4 storm

05:20 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Idalia is gaining fury as it crawls toward Florida's Gulf Coast, and is now forecast to reach Category 4 intensity by the time it makes landfall.

The storm is expected to arrive on Wednesday morning, forcing mass evacuations in low-lying areas expected to be swamped.

Idalia was generating maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour (177 kph) by late Tuesday night - at the upper end of Category 2 - and its force will ratchet higher before it slams ashore, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) projected.

By that time the storm was forecast to reach "an extremely dangerous Category 4 intensity" - with maximum sustained winds of at least 130 mph (209 kph) - on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale, the NHC reported.

The hurricane was upgraded on Tuesday evening to a Category 2 after its top wind speeds surpassed 95 mph (153 kph), feeding on the warm, open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Any storm designated Category 3 or higher is classified as a major hurricane.

Idalia's most dangerous feature, however, appeared to be the powerful surge of wind-driven seawater it is expected to deliver to barrier islands and other low-lying areas along the coast.

Live: View of Fort Myers as Hurricane Idalia hurtles towards Florida

05:02 , Stuti Mishra

Climate change makes rapidly intensifying storms ‘more likely'

04:20 , Josh Marcus

The climate crisis will make the prospect of storms rapidly intensifying over warm ocean waters much more likely, according to scientists.

“The frequency of cases of rapid intensification has increased in recent years,” Allison Wing, an assistant professor of atmospheric science at Florida State University, told CNN on Tuesday. “While each storm has a unique set of circumstances, climate change makes the occurrence of strong hurricanes that rapidly intensify more likely.”

Rapid intensification occurs when a storm’s wind speed increases by at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less.

The process makes storms more dangerous and harder to prepare for.

How climate change is impacted Hurricane Idalia

03:20 , Josh Marcus

Hurricanes draw their energy from warm sea waters, and few places are hotter right now than those surrounding Florida.

“It’s 88, 89 degrees (31, 32 degrees Celsius) over where the storm’s going to be tracking, so that’s effectively rocket fuel for the storm,” Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It’s basically all systems go for the storm to intensify.”

Climate change, in addition to a natural El Niño pattern, are causing extremely warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean at the moment.

Flashback: Ron DeSantis doesn’t acknowledge human role in climate crisis

02:20 , Josh Marcus

As a hurricane heads towards Florida, it’s worth remembering that Governor Ron DeSantis, who will lead the state’s disaster response, would not vocally acknowledge the human drivers of the climate crisis during last week’s Republican debate.

Instead of expounding on his views, he lashed out at Joe Biden for his response to the deadly Maui fires, the deadliest wildfire in more than a century in the US, a disaster that was fuelled in part by the climate crisis, according to scientists.

“First of all, one of the reasons our country has declined is because of the way the corporate media treats Republicans versus Democrats,” Mr DeSantis said. “Biden was on the beach while those people were suffering. He was asked about it and said no comment. Are you kidding me? As someone who has handled disasters in Florida, you’ve gotta be activated. You’ve gotta be there. You’ve gotta be present. You’ve gotta be helping people who are doing this.”

The only candidate who affirmatively acknowledged the reality of the climate crisis at length was former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.

Republican candidates spark outrage with sweeping climate crisis denial at debate

Clouds darken sky as Hurricane Idalia approaches Tampa

01:50 , Josh Marcus

Hurricane Idalia isn’t expected to make landfall until Wednesday, but the skies area already darkening on the Florida coast.

A wall of dark clouds could be seen looming above the ocean off the coast of Tampa, even as some beachgoers continued to play in the water.

Florida cities already flooding from Hurricane Idalia

01:20 , Josh Marcus

Hurricane Idalia’s outer bands are already arriving on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Residents of Fort Myers Beach, in the south of the state, captured ankle-deep flooding on Tuesday, even as the storm isn’t expected to arrive in full force until tomorrow.

Watch below via AccuWeather.

WATCH: Ron DeSantis provides update on incoming Hurricane Idalia

Wednesday 30 August 2023 00:50 , Josh Marcus

Florida governor Ron DeSantis spoke from Lake City, Florida, on Tuesday to warn residents about the incoming Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.

See his full remarks below.

‘Don’t mess around with this,’ forecast warns

Wednesday 30 August 2023 00:20 , Josh Marcus

Forecasters say Hurricane Idalia, which is barreling towards the Gulf Coast of Florida, is unprecedented.

“You need to complete your preparations today if you live in the Florida big bend. To put this system into the historical context, there are NO major hurricanes in the historical dataset going back to 1851 that have tracked into Apalachee Bay. None,” the National Weather Service said on Tuesday in a public forecast. “Don`t mess around with this. Follow the advice of your local emergency management.”

Florida braces for arrival of Hurricane Idalia at full force

Tuesday 29 August 2023 23:52 , Josh Marcus

Parts of Hurricane Idalia are already arriving in the Florida Keys, with the storm expected to land in full force on Wednesday.

“This whole town is very, very old, so a lot of the infrastructure that’s on Second Street … it’s been there for 100-plus years. I’m just really worried it might not be the same when we get back,” Carol Carlin of Cedar Key told The Miami Herald as she prepared to evacuate.

Florida has stationed 55,000 national guardsmen and 25,000 electric linemen ahead of the hurricane’s arrival, according to the governor’s office.

WATCH: Hurricane Idalia batters Key West resort

Tuesday 29 August 2023 23:29 , Josh Marcus

Storm Idalia strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday, 29 August and is expected to rapidly intensify before making landfall along the western coast of Florida on Wednesday.

Idalia is expected to be a historic event with “life-threatening” storm surges of up to 15 feet from tonight into Wednesday in the Big Bend area, according to authorties.

The latest National Weather Service update for Key West states: “A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Lower Florida Keys, from the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge through Key West.”

Hurricane Idalia batters Key West resort

Hurricane Idalia arrives on anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and Ida

Tuesday 29 August 2023 22:55 , Josh Marcus

Hurricane Idalia, expected to make landfall in the US on Wednesday, is arriving near the anniversaries of hurricanes Katrina and Ida, two of the deadliest hurricanes in US history.

Both of those storms slammed into the Gulf Coast on 29 August, in 2005 and 2021, respectively.

Together, they killed what’s believed to be more than 1,400 people.

National Weather Service warns of ‘catastrophic impacts’ from Hurricane Idalia

Tuesday 29 August 2023 22:32 , Josh Marcus

Hurricane Idalia could bring “catastrophic impacts” when it arrives on land over Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

“Catastrophic impacts from storm surge inundation of 10 to 15 feet above ground level and destructive waves are expected,” the NWS warned in a Tuesday forecast, particularly between Aucilla River and Yankeetown, Florida.

“There is potential for destructive life-threatening winds where the core of Idalia moves onshore in the Big Bend region of Florida, with hurricane conditions expected elsewhere,” the NWS added.

‘One word: Leave’: Residents warned to evacuate from high-risk island

Tuesday 29 August 2023 22:04 , Louise Boyle

On the island of Cedar Key, Commissioner Sue Colson joined other city officials in packing up documents and electronics at City Hall. She had a message for the almost 900 residents who were under mandatory orders to evacuate the island near the coast of the Big Bend region.

More than a dozen state troopers went door to door warning residents that storm surge could rise as high as 15 feet (4.5 meters).

“One word: Leave,” Colson said. “It’s not something to discuss.”

Not everyone was heeding the warning. Andy Bair, owner of the Island Hotel, said he intended to “babysit” his bed-and-breakfast, which predates the Civil War. The building has not flooded in the almost 20 years he has owned it, not even when Hurricane Hermine flooded the city in 2016.

“Being a caretaker of the oldest building in Cedar Key, I just feel kind of like I need to be here,” Bair said. “We’ve proven time and again that we’re not going to wash away. We may be a little uncomfortable for a couple of days, but we’ll be OK eventually.”

The Associated Press

Why stormy weather this week could make or break Ron DeSantis

Tuesday 29 August 2023 21:40 , Louise Boyle

Florida governor is facing negative headlines with Hurricane Idalia and the mass shooting in Jacksonville, but he has a chance to get good coverage too, writes Washington Bureau Chief Eric Garcia.

Why stormy weather this week could make or break Ron DeSantis

American Red Cross announces $1bn plan to address climate crisis in disaster relief work

Tuesday 29 August 2023 21:20 , Louise Boyle

As Hurricane Idalia bears down on Florida, the Red Cross announced today an unprecedented $1 billion plan to address the climate crisis through their disaster relief work.

It’s the first effort from the organization to connect the climate crisis to disaster work and will encompass disaster relief, new international programs on climate response and preparedness, and sustainability efforts to minimize its own environmental footprint.

“As part of the world’s largest humanitarian network and a national leader in disaster relief, the American Red Cross is uniquely positioned to provide support to those who are threatened by climate-driven extreme weather,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

“I can tell you firsthand that our changing climate is a humanitarian crisis for the communities and people we serve, and as fast as we are working to adapt, the needs are escalating faster. There is no time to wait.”

Watch: Western Florida makes last preparations as Hurricane Idalia looms

Tuesday 29 August 2023 21:01 , Louise Boyle