Storm Idalia to Strengthen into Major Hurricane Before Florida Landfall, Reports Reuters

By Dave Sherwood, Brendan O’Brien, and Rich McKay

GUANIMAR, Cuba – Tropical Storm Idalia has struck western Cuba and is anticipated to strengthen into a significant hurricane as it moves toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. Officials are implementing evacuations and encouraging residents to prepare for a potential landfall on Wednesday.

As of the latest updates, Idalia was approximately 80 miles off Cuba’s western tip, tending northward with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The storm’s increasing strength and trajectory have placed around 14 million residents across Florida under hurricane and tropical storm warnings along the Gulf of Mexico.

Authorities have cautioned that the storm poses significant risks, especially from surging seawater pushed inland by high winds, which could flood low-lying coastal regions. Storm surge warnings have been issued for extensive stretches of the Gulf Coast, ranging from the Sarasota area north through Tampa, extending to Indian Pass at the western edge of Apalachicola Bay.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to prepare, stating, "You still have time today. You have time for most of tomorrow," after speaking with federal officials about the storm’s potential impact.

Cuban Evacuations

On the ground in Cuba, residents of coastal towns moved quickly to evacuate and secure their homes and fishing boats as Idalia approached. By midday, the small fishing village of Guanimar, south of Havana, experienced significant flooding, with muddy waters invading homes.

Local transportation struggles were visible, as decades-old buses transported residents to higher ground amid fierce winds rattling roofs and battering boats. Yadira Alvarez, a resident preparing for evacuation with her five children, expressed frustration, noting, "We’ve had two days of rain already… everything will be soaked."

In western Cuba, the tobacco-rich Pinar del Rio province felt the storm’s intensity, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from both Pinar del Rio and the adjacent Artemisa province.

Idalia is expected to reach hurricane strength late Monday, potentially becoming a Category 3 hurricane by Wednesday upon making landfall in Florida, particularly in the Big Bend area, where the Gulf Coast transitions into the peninsula.

Shannon Hartsfield, a fisherman operating in Apalachicola Bay, has taken precautions by relocating his boat to higher ground and is keeping a close eye on the storm’s developments, hoping it won’t bring severe impacts.

Nearby, Manatee County has issued mandatory evacuations, advising residents to seek higher ground or leave areas likely to be affected by the storm.

By Tuesday, heavy rainfall of 4 to 8 inches could hit Florida’s Gulf Coast, southeastern Georgia, and eastern North and South Carolina, raising concerns about potential flooding. Winds surpassing 110 mph could lead to life-threatening storm surges, prompting school districts in the region to cancel classes starting Monday afternoon. Additionally, Tampa International Airport announced it would halt flights starting early Tuesday.

Communities along the coast, including Bradenton, have set up sandbag stations and are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and prepare for the storm.

DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 46 counties in Florida, mobilizing approximately 5,500 National Guard troops along with thousands of power restoration workers ready to assist following the storm’s passage.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Franklin, the season’s first major hurricane, meanders in the Atlantic, expected to shift northeast in the coming days and may impact Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast with heavy swells throughout the week.