Hurricane: US Prepares for Idalia – Heavy Flooding Feared

There is an alert on the west coast of Florida. In light of the approaching hurricane, the US Hurricane Warning Center (NHC) warned of “life-threatening storms”. In addition, Florida authorities once again urged residents of threatened coastal areas to flee. Hurricane Adalia is expected to make landfall there on Wednesday.

Idalia is really powerful

Hurricane “Idalia” has gained strength and is heading towards the US state of Florida. The US Hurricane Center in Miami said on Tuesday evening (local time) that sustained winds of up to 155 kilometers per hour were measured. This equates to a category two hurricane (out of five). Videos are already being shared on social media that give an idea of ​​the incredible wind speeds.

Adalia is expected to cause life-threatening flooding in parts of Florida’s west coast, such as Big Bend, south of Tallahassee. And Wednesday morning (local time), Adalia could hit the state’s west coast as a Category 3 hurricane.

And the storm has already had these consequences

Hurricane “Idalia” has caused heavy rains and strong winds in western Cuba since Monday, and was also felt by residents of the capital, Havana. There was a power outage there, as well as in the worst-affected parts of the Caribbean nation. Cuba’s official news agency ACN reported on Tuesday that the floods occurred in the tobacco-growing province of Pinar del Rio and on the Cuban island of Isla de la Juventud. Some communities were cut off from the outside world and hundreds of people were moved to safety. Hurricane Ian also caused significant damage to the city of Pinar del Rio.

This is where the storm could hit the United States

The National Hurricane Center said the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, with a population of about 3.2 million, is expected to be severely affected by the storm. Georgia and parts of South Carolina will also have to factor in flooding.

These measures have already been initiated

Ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Adalia, Florida authorities once again urged residents of threatened coastal areas to flee.

On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged people to follow the authorities’ instructions. “If you decide to stay in one of the evacuation zones, rescuers will not be able to reach you until the storm is over,” he warned on Tuesday evening (local time). “You really should go now.” He said it was not necessary to drive hundreds of miles. It is often sufficient to move ten kilometers away from the expected path of the storm.

Idalia could hit the west coast of Florida as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday morning US time. Tampa Airport announced that it will temporarily suspend flight operations on Tuesday due to Idalia. Many schools in Florida remained closed. US President Joe Biden pledged full support to the state. National Guard personnel are on standby for any rescue effort. In 28 districts, residents were asked to leave their homes and reach Idalia to safety.

This damage may be caused by Idalia

“Inundation is expected to normally dry areas near the coast due to rising inland waters,” the National Hurricane Center in Florida said. Florida is already preparing for the storm. People should “prepare now for heavy rains, floods, and power outages,” the governor wrote on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Emergency teams are available not only in Florida but also in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, which can be deployed to hardest-hit areas immediately after the storm subsides, said Diane Creswell, head of the Federal National Civil Protection Agency, at a White House news conference. They are also ready to provide food, water, blankets and medicine to people in the affected areas. One of the biggest hurricane hazards is the predicted storm surge, which can quickly become fatal.

Impact of climate change on the probability of hurricanes

Tropical hurricane season lasts from June to November in the Atlantic Ocean. There is talk of a hurricane with sustained winds of 119 kilometers per hour. According to experts, climate change increases the likelihood of strong storms. The strength of hurricanes is measured according to a scale developed by meteorologists Herbert Sapphire and Robert Simpson: a category one hurricane, with speeds of up to 153 kilometers per hour. Phase 2 applies to Tempo 177, Phase 3 to 208, and Phase 4 to 251. Destructive damage is threatened by a Category 5 typhoon, which is spinning at winds over 251 kilometers per hour.

(AFP/SUNA/AFP)View comments