🌪Florida Braces for Potent Idalia – Cat 4 Hurricane Set to Hit with ‘Catastrophic Storm Surge’

Florida residents living in vulnerable coastal areas were ordered to pack up and leave as Hurricane Idalia gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico – with authorities warning of a “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” when the storm moves ashore Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia “an unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend - where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula.

In preparation for rescue and repair efforts, about 5,500 National Guard troops have been activated and more than 30k utility workers are standing by ahead of the storm’s arrival.

@RiseGS