Tropical Storm Idalia has formed in the Caribbean and is currently affecting southeastern Mexico with strong winds and heavy rain. According to forecasters, the storm is expected to intensify into a hurricane before reaching Florida later this week.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has stated that Idalia is not forecast to make landfall in Mexico, but will instead travel across the Gulf of Mexico before reaching the northwest coast of Florida. The NHC has issued warnings of a potential life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds along parts of Florida’s west coast and the Florida Panhandle starting as early as Tuesday.
There is some uncertainty regarding the storm’s intensity before it reaches landfall in the northeast Gulf coast, with models ranging from minimal to major hurricane status. However, the NHC predicts that Idalia will make landfall in Florida by 7:00 am (1100 GMT) on Wednesday.
As of 0300 GMT Monday, Idalia was located in the Caribbean, moving northeast with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles (95 kilometers) per hour.
Storm surge and hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Florida’s coast, and scattered flash flooding can be expected. In response to the storm, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 33 counties as a precautionary measure.
In Mexico’s Quintana Roo state, which is home to popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Idalia has caused heavy rainfall, impacting the last weekends of summer vacations for many visitors. Additionally, heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of the eastern Yucatan in Mexico and western Cuba.
It is worth noting that just a week ago, Tropical Storm Hilary hit the state of Baja California on Mexico’s Pacific coast, causing one death and infrastructure damage. Mexico experiences hurricanes every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Scientists have emphasized that storms are becoming more powerful due to climate change and global warming.