ORLANDO, Florida. – As the tropical storm idaliawhose formation occurred this past Sunday in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tropical storm watch for Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties this Monday morning.
The NWS reported that counties under such a watch could experience strong winds and heavy rain. They also do not rule out some tornadoes, another of the main threats as Idalia moves towards the eastern Gulf.
This type of alert is issued when conditions are expected within 48 hours before the arrival of the disturbance.
What is known about Tropical Storm Idalia?
The 7:00 am bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday indicates that the system was 90 miles south of the extreme west of Cuba. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (mph) and is moving north at 8 mph.
The tropical storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the next few hours over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The NHC also indicates that there is a risk of life-threatening storm surge and that hurricane-force winds continue to increase along parts of Florida’s west coast and the Florida Panhandle as of Tuesday night.
Storm surge and hurricane watches are in effect for parts of Florida’s west coast and the Florida Panhandle coast, and residents in these areas should monitor forecast updates and follow advice given by local officials.
Urban areas with flooding and flash flooding, some of which may be locally significant, are expected in parts of Florida’s west coast and the Florida Panhandle Tuesday through Wednesday.
2023-08-28 13:31:52
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