Idalia updates: Damaging tornadoes, severe flooding from Florida to Carolinas
Idalia, now a tropical storm, touched down in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane.
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:
Pasco County, Hillsborough County schools to close
As Idalia approaches, the Pasco County School District, north of Tampa, said its schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Schools in Hillsborough County, which encompasses Tampa, will also be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Biden approves emergency declaration for Florida
President Joe Biden spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday morning and told the governor he's approving an emergency declaration for the state, according to the White House.
"President Biden said Florida will have his full support as they prepare for Idalia and its aftermath," the White House said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency "has pre-deployed personnel and assets, including multiple Incident Management Assistance Teams," according to the White House. "FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center has also been fully activated to support any requests for federal assistance."
-ABC News' Justin Gomez
Floridians should prepare for at least Category 3 hurricane: DeSantis
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's latest forecast
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
Tornado watch issued for parts of North Carolina: National Weather Service
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch until 4 a.m., local time, for parts of North Carolina as Tropical Storm Idalia makes its way through the area.
