Idalia Gaining Strength in the Gulf

Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen as it passes over the very warm Gulf Loop on its way to Florida. The very warm water and slightly lighter wind shear are expected to allow the storm to rapidly strengthen before making landfall Wednesday morning.

Satellite Loop of Hurricane Idalia

With the 2pm advisory, The NHC has Idalia as a strong category 1 hurricane with winds of 90mph. We’re almost to a category 2 which is when winds reach 96mph. The forecast calls for Idalia to not only achieve but surpass that and reach category 3 strength with winds possibly up to 125mph before landfall.

The NHC currently expects Hurricane Idalia to make landfall around 8 AM Wednesday. If you are vulnerable to storm surge and live in the big bend of Florida, now is your time to leave and get out of harms way. Storm surge is expected to reach between 10 - 15 feet. The Apalachee Bay is extremely likely to experience storm surge flooding that has not been seen by anyone for generations.