Tropical Disturbance Develops Into Tropical Storm Idalia; Forecasted to Hit Florida As Hurricane

As forecasted, the tropical disturbance that formed off of the Gulf of Mexico recently developed into Tropical Storm Idalia. Further reports say the former disturbance is expected to hit the state of Florida as a hurricane.

Recent forecasts say the former tropical disturbance that developed into Tropical Storm Idalia could upgrade into a hurricane today, August 28. Furthermore, the former tropical disturbance could bring storm surges and high winds to Cuba and the state of Florida later this week.

An article in Reuters states that on August 27, the National Hurricane Center announced that the former tropical disturbance was located near the Yucatán Channel which is around 145 miles south of western Cuba. This suggests that the former tropical disturbance could cause heavy rains and flash floods along Florida’s west coast, the Panhandle, and southern Georgia from August 29 until August 30.

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State of Emergency in Florida

According to an article in USA Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the former tropical disturbance is forecasted to make landfall in the Big Bend area of northern Florida on August 30 and reach Category 2 strength with sustained winds of 96 to 110 mph.

Due to this, on August 26, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 of the counties in Florida. The governor further stated that power companies were being prepared and 1,100 National Guard members were deployed with a dozen aircraft and 2,400 high-water vehicles for rescue and recovery.

READ ALSO: Tropical Storm Hilary Forms Off Mexico’s West Coast, Poses Heavy Rain Threat To Southern California