Hurricane Idalia strengthened to a dangerous Category 4 storm Wednesday morning as it steamed toward Florida’s Big Bend region and threatened to unleash life-threatening storm surges and rainfall.
Florida residents living in vulnerable coastal areas were ordered to pack up and leave as Hurricane Idalia gained strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and authorities warned of a “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” when the storm moves ashore later Wednesday morning.
Idalia was projected to come ashore as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of at least 130 mph (209 kph) in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula. The result could be a big blow to a state still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian. It had grown into a Category 2 system on Tuesday afternoon and became a Category 3 just hours earlier Wednesday.
Feeling very lucky in Ocala. We went from being told we’d get nailed with 60 - 70 mph winds and 6" of rain to an inch or 2 of rain and 30 mph winds. That shift north saved us but others will be unprepared because of it.
Feeling the same way. I’m glad you are safe though. It’s just best to be fully prepared if you are anywhere close to where they think it’s going. Couple hours outside the cone a couple days out? Get prepared because that cone can shift drastically so fast.