Florida governor declares widespread state of emergency ahead of Idalia's expected landfall

Hurricane Idalia , Forecast to Become an , 'Extremely Dangerous' Category 3. On August 29, Hurricane Idalia was forecast to rapidly strengthen into "an extremely dangerous major hurricane," forcing a large part of Florida to prepare for disaster. Associated Press (AP) reports that the storm has been forecast to strike the Gulf Coast on August 30. . Residents of Florida have been loading up on sandbags and evacuating homes in low-lying areas all along the coast. . The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm could have sustained winds of up to 120 miles per hour, making it a Category 3 hurricane. AP reports that the storm comes as a major blow to the state, which is still rebuilding after last year's Hurricane Ian. You still have time this morning to make your final preparations... but you gotta do that now, Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor, via Associated Press. According to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, highways have waived tolls on routes out of danger areas, shelters have been opened, and hotels are ready to house evacuees. According to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, highways have waived tolls on routes out of danger areas, shelters have been opened, and hotels are ready to house evacuees. The governor also added that over 30,000 utility workers are on notice to move quickly to start making repairs following the storm. . You do not have to leave the state. You don’t have to drive hundreds of miles. You have to get to higher ground in a safe structure. You can ride the storm out there, then go back to your home, Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor, via Associated Press. You do not have to leave the state. You don’t have to drive hundreds of miles. You have to get to higher ground in a safe structure. You can ride the storm out there, then go back to your home, Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor, via Associated Press. AP reports that forecasters have predicted Hurricane Idalia to strike a lightly-populated area of the coast known as Big Bend before stretching out across Georgia and the Carolinas. . AP reports that forecasters have predicted Hurricane Idalia to strike a lightly-populated area of the coast known as Big Bend before stretching out across Georgia and the Carolinas.

Tropical Storm Idalia has formed in the Caribbean and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching Florida later this week. The storm is not...