Florida residents are bracing for Hurricane Idalia as the storm intensifies over the Gulf of Mexico.
Idalia is expected to make landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, slamming into Florida’s Gulf Coast somewhere between Tampa and Tallahassee.
The National Hurricane Center says winds could reach up to 111 miles per hour and, in some areas, storm-surge flooding could reach up to 12 feet.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is urging residents to make preparations while they still can.
Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 46 Florida counties, with 22 now under some form of evacuation order. Some 5,500 National Guard troops have also been mobilized along with thousands of electrical workers.
President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster request Monday, authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to assist with disaster relief.