Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a state of emergency for 46 Florida counties as Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall over the state's western coast on Wednesday.
warned of a"major impact" to the state, noting that what was originally forecast to be nothing stronger than a tropical storm was now predicted to become a Category 3 hurricane.
"The property — we can rebuild someone's home," DeSantis said during a news conference Monday."You can't unring the bell, though, if somebody stays in harm's way and does battle with Mother Nature. This is not something that you want to do battle with." Florida has mobilized 1,100 National Guard members, who have 2,400 high-water vehicles and 12 aircraft at their disposal for rescue and recovery efforts.
Large parts of the western coast of Florida are at risk of storm surges and floods anytime a storm of this magnitude approaches. Pasco and Levy counties, located north of Tampa, both ordered mandatory evacuations for some residents deemed to be at risk. In Levy County, officials said residents of Cedar Key must be off the island by Tuesday evening because storm surges would make bridges impassable.
Many school districts along the Gulf Coast said they would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Eckerd College in St. Petersburg told students they needed to leave campus by Monday night. On Tuesday, it was expected to turn northeast at a faster pace, reaching Florida's western coast as a dangerous major hurricane on Wednesday.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tropical Storm Idalia set to become hurricane as Florida schools close, DeSantis expands state of emergency'Floridians should expect that this storm will be a major Cat 3+ hurricane, so please prepare accordingly,' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Read more »
Florida Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency as Tropical Storm Idalia expected to become hurricaneAs Tropical Storm Idalia was expected to turn into a hurricane later Monday, a state of emergency remained in effect for 46 Florida counties.
Read more »
DeSantis warns Florida residents Tropical Storm Idalia will likely be hurricane, says 'remain vigilant'Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told residents to remain vigilant as Tropical Storm Idalia moves toward the state and is expected to built to a Category 2 hurricane.
Read more »
DeSantis informs Florida residents on preparations for Tropical Storm Idalia: WATCHGov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has cautioned Florida residents about Tropical Storm Idalia, which is anticipated to become a hurricane by late Tuesday afternoon.
Read more »
WATCH LIVE: DeSantis to give update on Tropical Storm Idalia as Florida braces for stormGov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) will hold a press conference in Largo, Florida, on Monday afternoon while Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico and reach the Sunshine State midweek.
Read more »