DEVELOPING STORY: Florida’s Big Bend is bracing for a catastrophic storm surge as Hurricane Idalia prepares to make landfall. The rapidly expanding storm was upgraded to a category 4 hurricane with winds in excess of 130 mph. The storm surge has already started impacting Tampa Bay, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete. Forecasters fear the surge will reach 16 feet in some places along the coastline.
“Catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds will begin soon in the Florida Big Bend near where the core of the hurricane makes landfall,” the National Hurricane Center said. “There is the potential for destructive life-threatening winds where the core of Idalia moves onshore in the Big Bend region of Florida, with hurricane conditions expected elsewhere in portions of the Hurricane Warning area along the Florida Gulf Coast.”
Idalia is the first major hurricane to hit Apalachee Bay in recorded history,
Our team is compiling video from the storm throughout the day. Watch below and click here to get Todd’s daily newsletter for exclusive conservative news.
Hurricane #Idalia on final approach to the Big Bend of Florida as it strengthens towards a Category 4 storm.
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) August 30, 2023
Sobering imagery of what's going to be a very destructive hurricane. pic.twitter.com/YWUMCbJwPp
A significant amount of water is coming onshore in Madeira Beach. Deputies are going to begin closing portions of Gulf Boulevard between 129th Avenue and 150th Avenue. #Idalia pic.twitter.com/a1axPnCgrh
— Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas) August 30, 2023
Storm surge in Tampa Bay #Florida now….#HurricaneIdalia #Idalia pic.twitter.com/dnhOroHt4o
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) August 30, 2023
BREAKING: Tampa Bay surge threaten homes near the coast, flood streets#idalia #hurricaneidaliapic.twitter.com/csVpn5Gjnf
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 30, 2023