These are the Florida counties in distress because of Hurricane Idalia, which is already reaching Category 1

More than 1.6 million people have been ordered to evacuate their homes in Florida as Hurricane Idalia approaches. Forecasters say Category 3 winds (starting at 111 miles per hour, or 178 kilometers per hour) will make landfall in the northwestern part of the state this Wednesday. .

“You have time this morning to make your final preparations, but you have to do it now,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday, announcing that there will be no tolls on the seven-mile highway . population movements.

The governor, who declared a state of emergency in 46 of Florida’s 67 countiesurged residents of coastal towns and flood-prone areas to follow mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders issued over the past 24 hours.

What time will the hurricane hit Florida?

Speaking at the state emergency operations center, DeSantis warned that the biggest concern for authorities is storm surge, which could raise sea levels to about 15 feet in parts of Florida’s northwest coast called the “Big Bend.” (4.5 meters) above the usual level.

Experience the trajectory of Hurricane Idalia

“When there’s a storm of this nature, we say run from the water and hide from the wind,” the governor told Fox News, which halted his Republican primary campaign because of the hurricane.

According to CNN, the counties on alert to evacuate are: Baker, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakilla.

Of those, nine evacuation orders are mandatory, at least in part in Citrus, Dixie, Gulf, Lafayette, Levy, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee and Taylor counties.

In addition to the temporary shelters, hotels in the area through which Idalia, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to pass, are prepared to accommodate evacuees.

The imminent arrival of Idalia as a major hurricane has led to the closure of schools in 42 school districts today and tomorrow, as well as 23 universities.

The arrival of Idalia, which was 440km southwest of the city of Tampa at 11am (15 GMT), has prompted the deployment of 1,100 National Guard troops, who have boats and planes for rescue. work.

closed airports

The international airports of Tampa and St. Pete-Clearwater will remain closed this Tuesday, while public rail operator Amtrak canceled or modified more than a dozen routes in Florida.

Evacuation orders also included MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Bay, as well as some of the Chevron Company personnel working on three oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, south of New Orleans.

Affection for other states

Following Idalia’s arrival on the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where it is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane, i.e. at least Category 3 on the Saffir Simpson Scale (out of a maximum of 5) , the cyclone will make landfall off the state’s north, southeastern Georgia and near the Carolina coast in the south.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire coastal strip of Georgia and much of South Carolina on Tuesday due to Idalia, which has strengthened in recent hours and now has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). northward at a speed of 14 miles per hour (22 km/h).

South Carolina authorities estimate Idalia could bring heavy rain and mudslides between Wednesday and Thursday.

Western Cuba hit by wind

Idalia, which passed through Cuba as a tropical storm, brought strong winds of more than 100 km/h, flooding and a lot of rain, affecting provinces from Pinar del Río to Mayabeque, including the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud. the Insmet. (JO)

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