Idalia updates: Damaging tornadoes, severe flooding from Florida to Carolinas

Floridians should be prepared for at least a Category 3 hurricane, Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Monday.

"This is going to be a major impact," DeSantis said at a press briefing.

DeSantis said evacuation orders will be issued for low areas along the coast.

If "you're told to evacuate, you do not need to drive hundreds of miles. You do not need to leave the state of Florida," the governor noted. "You basically need to go to higher ground in almost every instance. You can go tens of miles to a shelter, to a hotel, to a friend's house, whatever works for you, and you'll be able to ride out the storm."

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie and Will McDuffie

Idalia may rapidly intensify on Monday night and Tuesday, strengthening to a major Category 3 hurricane by Tuesday night.

Landfall is currently forecast for Wednesday morning in Florida's Big Bend area.

Storm surge is expected to be severe. It could reach 4 to 7 feet in Tampa and up to 11 feet in the Big Bend area.

Up to 10 inches of rain is possible in north Florida. Tampa Bay could see more than 6 inches of rain.

By Wednesday evening, Idalia will be weaker -- a tropical storm -- as it moves near the Carolinas with heavy rain and gusty winds. Idalia is not expected to impact the Northeast.

-ABC News' Max Golembo