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DeSantis to Florida: “Brace for Impact and Serious Damage” as Idalia draws Near

Tropical Storm Idalia is projected to be the first major storm to make landfall in Florida this hurricane season. The storm us currently projected to be stronger than initially expected. 

By the time it makes landfall, Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to be a major hurricane.  Current projections have the storm hitting Cuba as a Catagory 3 hurricane later today. This means it carries a sustained wind of more than 111 miles per hour. At those speeds even well built homes will suffer significant damage, power will be out for several days, and flooding is likely to occur. 

Hurricane Idalia
Credit: Pixabay

After grazing Cuba the storm is projected to go back to sea before making  impact with Florida. Time will tell whether going g out to sea will weaken the storm or if it will gather strength before making its way across Florida but a State of Emergency has been declared in Florida.

The National Hurricane Center has warned “that life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are becoming increasingly likely for portions of Florida,” in an update earlier today (Monday August 28, 2023).

Hurricane Idalia
Credit: National Hurricane Center

Governor DeSantis has urged Floridians to “be vigilant and heed the warnings of local officials and emergency personnel” as the state prepares for impact.

Currently, the storm is predicted to make direct impact in Chokoloskee Florida, 200 miles away from Walt Disney World. However the impact cone only shows the predicted path of the center of the storm not the size of the storm. Damage can be sustained for hundreds of miles from a storm’s center.

Flooding and loss of power are currently the most pressing problems facing the Orlando area but the entirety of the Gulf Coast and Central Florida are at risk from Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to be Huricane Idalia when it makes impact. The storm is expected to peak in the Orlando area on Wednesday.

Universal Orlando hurricane damage
Damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Credit: Lissainflorida Twitter / Parisi Twitter

Speaking from the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, DeSantis said, “These things can wobble, so Floridians along our Gulf Coast should be vigilant even if you’re currently outside the [forecast zone] cone.”

Stay tuned right hereat Disney Dining. We will keep a close eye on Idalia and keep you updated as the storm progresses.

Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand… More »

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