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

The latest track shows Hurricane Idalia making landfall southeast of Tallahassee in the northern Big Bend area. This is a bit farther west than the previous track.

Idalia is then expected to skirt across southern Georgia and the Carolinas with tropical storm force gusts and flooding rain Wednesday through Thursday.

Isolated tornadoes will also be possible.

Extreme winds are possible far inland off the Florida coast because of how quickly the storm is moving -- even Gainesville to Valdosta could see 110 mph winds.

-ABC News' Melissa Griffin

Some 5,500 Florida National Guardsmen will assist with storm prep and response across the state, a Pentagon spokesperson said.

Over 3,000 Guardsmen have been fully activated, while another 1,800 are on their way, according to Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

The Department of Defense is also prepared to assist as needed, according to Singh.

"Prior to the storm landing, the department stands ready to assist the state of Florida, FEMA and state and local officials in any recovery efforts that are needed," Singh said during a press briefing.

-ABC News' Matt Seyler

Idalia has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center, which warned of "life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions" expected along parts of the Gulf Coast of Florida Tuesday night and Wednesday.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as Idalia nears.

South Carolinians should prepare for heavy rain, flooding, rough winds and possible tornadoes.