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

Idalia, now a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to intensify and make landfall between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph. (A Category 4 hurricane begins with 130 mph winds.)

Storm surge in Florida's Big Bend area is now expected to reach 15 feet.

Tampa is still expected to see a storm surge of 4 to 7 feet, which is enough to flood very vulnerable coastal areas.

Powerful winds reaching about 74 mph are forecast to spread inland to Tallahassee and Valdosta, Georgia.

Flooding will be a concern from Florida to North Carolina. Some areas could see 1 foot of rain in just 24 to 48 hours.

Tornadoes are also possible from Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville up to Savannah, Georgia, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

-ABC News' Max Golembo

Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, said that as of Tuesday, its resorts and theme parks are open and "operating under normal conditions."

"We are closely monitoring the path of the projected weather as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members," the resort said.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Tuesday that the "nasty weather" from Hurricane Idalia will reach the Gulf Coast Tuesday night and he urged residents to implement their action plans immediately.

"We are going to be faced with a major hurricane hitting the state of Florida within the next 24 to 36 hours," he said.

"You still have some time this morning and into the early afternoon. But as we get throughout this day, you are going to start to see rain and wind pick up, particularly the further south you are in the state of Florida," he said. "And by the time we get to the end of tonight, you know, you’re going to see some nasty weather, so just be warned about that and do what you need to do right now."

Asked about balancing crisis management with campaigning for president, DeSantis said, "You do what you need to do.”

He said he was "in the midst of a governor campaign" during Hurricane Ian in 2022.

"I had all kinds of stuff scheduled not just in Florida, around the country, you know, we were doing different things. And, you know, you do what you need to do, I mean, and so that’s what we’re doing. And so it’s going to be no different than what we did during Hurricane Ian," he said.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie and Will McDuffie

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency ahead of Idalia, which is expected to bring heavy rain and possible flooding to the state.

"It is important for North Carolinians to gather emergency kits and prepare for the storm before it’s too late," Cooper said in a statement.