All of Tampa Bay under Hurricane Warning, as Idalia forecast to become Category 3 storm

Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to strengthen into a dangerous major hurricane on Monday, reaching Category 3 strength by the time it makes landfall along Florida’s west coast early Wednesday, says forecasters.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s Monday morning update, the storm is currently moving north at about 8 mph and is located roughly 90 miles south of the western tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

As of now, most of Tampa Bay is well within Idalia’s path. The region is currently under a hurricane warning, as well as a storm surge warning, which, combined with high tide, means there’s a possibility of 4-7 feet of storm surge.

“The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” says the NHC.

Forecasters with the NHC say the Tampa Bay area should expect tropical storm like conditions beginning Tuesday evening. The storm is expected to strengthen to a  hurricane on Monday and then bend slightly east and strengthen to a Category 3, with winds up to 129 mph.

Idalia is expected to make landfall early Wednesday around 2-3 a.m.

On Monday, Gov. DeSantis expanded his State of Emergency order to include 46 counties, which already included all of Tampa Bay.

“We’ve seen this before with something like Hurricane Michael, that continues to gather strength,” DeSantis said at today’s press conference.  “So, this is going to be a major impact and Floridians should expect that this storm will be a major Category 3-plus hurricane. So, please prepare accordingly.”

Pasco County issued a mandatory evacuation for residents in Zone A beginning at 3 p.m.  today for anyone who resides in a mobile home, RV, or manufactured home. Residents in B and C zones should also evacuate if they are registered as special needs.

Pinellas County issued a local state of emergency Monday morning, and called for a mandatory evacuation of Zone A, including all mobile homes, effective tonight, Monday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.

Hillsborough County residents can still find out what flood zone they’re in here, and Pinellas County residents can find info here.

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay will keep an updated list of local shelters, sandbag locations and closures here.

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This article appears in Aug 24-30, 2023.