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

Idalia, now a tropical storm, touched down in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023, 4:37 PM EDT

Idalia touched down in Florida's Big Bend region on Wednesday morning as a powerful Category 3 hurricane -- the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the Apalachee Bay.

Idalia has since weakened into a tropical storm and moved inland over Georgia and the Carolinas.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Aug 29, 2023, 5:32 AM EDT

Idalia strengthens into hurricane with 75 mph winds

Idalia strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane early Tuesday as maximum sustained winds reached 75 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Idalia is "expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous major hurricane" before making landfall in Florida on Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said in its latest advisory. Winds are forecast to reach 120 mph by Tuesday night.

Idalia is forecast to make landfall Wednesday morning, in Florida’s Big Bend area, north of Tampa as a major hurricane with winds of 120 mph.
ABC News

As of 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the eye of the storm was located about 85 miles north of the western tip of Cuba and about 370 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida. The storm was moving north at 14 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Tornadoes are possible starting this evening in FL as hurricane approaches. Tornadoes could spread into coastal GA and Carolinas on Wednesday
ABC News

A hurricane warning, which means hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area, remains in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio as well as parts of Florida, starting from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay. Other weather alerts were still in effect for more areas of Cuba and Florida, as well as Georgia and South Carolina.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

Aug 28, 2023, 6:38 PM EDT

FAA 'closely monitoring' Idalia, airlines issue travel notices

Airlines and The Federal Aviation Administration said it's monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia as it heads to the U.S.

The FAA posted on social media that it's "closely monitoring" Idalia's path, but it isn't responsible for closing airports and canceling flights.

American Airlines issued a travel alert that allows its customers whose plans are impacted by Idalia to rebook their flights without incurring a change fee.

Southwest Airlines said it anticipates some changes to its schedule and an impact on its operation as the storm approaches. The airline has issued a travel advisory for its customers.

United Airlines has issued travel waivers for customers traveling to and from impacted airports. The company said it's working to ensure its team is prepared to deal with the expected severe weather.

Aug 28, 2023, 6:15 PM EDT

Evacuation orders issued for multiple Florida counties

Multiple counties in Florida are under mandatory and voluntary evacuations as Tropical Storm Idalia barrels toward the state.

People living in zones in Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus, Hillsborough, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota and Taylor counties must evacuate the area, according to multiple county officials.

County officials are also urging people living in mobile homes, low-lying areas and along the coast to leave the area as Idalia approaches.

Officials in Hernando, Jefferson, Manatee and Pasco counties have also issued voluntary evacuation orders for particular zones.


-ABC News' Michael Pappano, Jianna Cousin and Robinson Perez

Aug 28, 2023, 3:24 PM EDT

FEMA encourages everyone in Idalia's path to 'get prepared today'

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is encouraging everyone in Idalia’s path to "get prepared today."

Home Depot employee Sharon Walsh fills a cart with cases of water while moving them to the front door as customers prepared for Tropical Storm Idalia in Ocala, Fla., Aug. 28, 2023.
Doug Engle/USA Today via Reuters

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell spoke to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and "emphasized the agency's actions and readiness to support the state’s needs." FEMA is also "closely coordinating" with Georgia and South Carolina to provide support as needed.

Local residents fill sandbags in preparation for Tropical Storm Idalia, at a self-serve station at Pride Park in Bradenton, Florida, Aug. 28, 2023.
Dan Wagner/USA Today via Reuters

President Joe Biden also spoke with DeSantis earlier Monday and approved an emergency declaration.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

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