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:
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."
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.
President Joe Biden also spoke with DeSantis earlier Monday and approved an emergency declaration.
-ABC News' Justin Gomez
Tampa International Airport to close
Tampa International Airport will close at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday as Idalia nears.
A hurricane warning has been issued from the Tampa Bay area up to the Apalachicola area.
Idalia could become hurricane on Monday, major hurricane by Tuesday night
Idalia is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane on Monday and may become a major hurricane by Tuesday night.
Landfall is currently forecast for 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday in Florida's Big Bend region.
Storm surge is expected to be a major threat and could reach as high as 11 feet in the Big Bend area.
Up to 1 foot of rain could drench the Florida Panhandle and tornadoes are possible in Tampa and Orlando.
Idalia will move north Wednesday afternoon and evening, bringing heavy rain and potential flash flooding to Georgia and the Carolinas. Idalia will head out to sea on Thursday.
-ABC News' Max Golembo
Idalia could be strongest hurricane for Big Bend since 1950
Idalia is currently forecast to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend region between Apalachicola and Tampa as a Category 3 hurricane. If this happens, it will mark the strongest landfall for the Big Bend region since 1950, when Category 3 Hurricane Easy made landfall in Cedar Key.
No hurricanes have ever made landfall in the Big Bend region stronger than Category 3.
If Idalia makes landfall as a Category 2, it will be the first in the region since Gladys in 1968.
-ABC News' Kenton Gewecke