Live updates: Idalia reaches Category 2 strength as bands lash Florida
Find the latest live updates for Wednesday here.
Hurricane Idalia is on the move through the Gulf of Mexico, and storm impacts are being felt along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Idalia’s wind speed increased to the level of a Category 2 hurricane Tuesday afternoon and is forecast to continue strengthening as it spins toward North Florida.
Hurricane tracking models have Idalia’s path rolling near the Big Bend region, where Florida’s Panhandle meets Florida’s peninsula. Tallahassee is in the region.
8 p.m. update
Hurricane Idalia is about 140 miles southwest of Bradenton and moving at 16 mph as it churns north through the Gulf.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph, and Idalia is likely to upgrade to a Category 3 storm soon, the National Hurricane Center said.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the storm’s center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles.
Conditions were relatively calm in Bradenton, with light bands of rain coming ashore.
Tropical storm and hurricane conditions are still possible overnight, the National Weather Service said, including heavy rain.
Just before 8:30 p.m., a tornado watch was issued for 15 Florida counties, including Manatee and Sarasota.
A watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form. It expires at 6 a.m.
As of 8:30 p.m., there were only about 100 Florida Power & Light customers without power in Manatee County. Peace River Electric Cooperative was not reporting any outages.
5 p.m. update
Hurricane Idalia is gaining speed and strength as it continues its motion north through the Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday evening, where it is located 195 miles southwest of Tampa.
It’s now a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 100 mph, and a visible eyewall is beginning to form, the National Hurricane Center said in an update. It is still expected to gain Category 3 status before landfall.
Spaghetti models are in good agreement on the storm’s path toward landfall in the Big Bend region on Wednesday, though additional shifts in the track are possible. The cone of uncertainty has been adjusted further west.
Forecasters warn that life-threatening storm surge is still likely along the portions of the Florida Gulf Coast where storm surge warnings are in effect.
Outer bands of the storm have begun to reach Bradenton and Southwest Florida, and tropical storm and hurricane conditions are possible Tuesday night, the National Weather Service said.
The latest forecast warns of the following conditions for Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Manatee County:
WIND
- Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 65 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Wednesday morning
- Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force.
- Last minute efforts to protect property should now be complete. The area remains subject to limited wind damage.
- Now is the time to shelter from hazardous wind.
STORM SURGE
- Life-threatening storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for four to six feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: through Thursday morning
- Shelter against life-threatening storm surge of greater than three feet above ground
- Flood preparations and ordered evacuations should be complete. Evacuees should be in shelters well away from storm surge flooding.
- Remain sheltered in a safe location. Do not venture outside.
FLOODING RAIN
- Flood watch is in effect
- Peak rainfall amounts: additional three to six inches, with locally higher amounts
- Potential for moderate flooding rain
- Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
- Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow.
- Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
TORNADO
- Situation is favorable for tornadoes
- Emergency plans should continue to include the potential for several tornadoes.
- Stay within your shelter keeping informed of the latest tornado situation.
- Move quickly to the safest place within your shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss and communications failures.
- Locations could see roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled and boats tossed about.
- Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
3:30 p.m. update
In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, public safety officials urged Manatee County residents to evacuate from coastal and low-lying areas while it is still possible.
“If you are going to evacuate, do it now before it gets dark,” Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer said.
Local leaders also reminded people to remain inside their homes until the storm has passed. Manatee officials will provide updates when it is safe to drive on the roads.
Combined with the high tide, Hurricane Idalia poses a significant flooding threat in the Bradenton area.
“Please do not be a disaster tourist or a hurricane tourist. Don’t play like a weather guy. Leave that to experts and stay off of flooded roads,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
“We do not know exactly when or what the storm is going to do. We’re worried about flooding,” Litschauer added. “The majority of that surge and flood comes after the eye of the storm has gone by.”
Despite an evacuation order that affects an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 people, Manatee officials said just over 300 people had taken advantage of the county’s three emergency shelters.
Throughout the storm, Manatee County residents can call 311 to contact staff for up-to-date information on road closures, power outages, evacuation orders and more. Always dial 911 during an emergency.
2 p.m. update
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport announced it is closing to air traffic and the terminal will be locked starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
SRQ plans to reopen Wednesday at 8 a.m., pending any damage assessment from Hurricane Idalia. The airport said in a news release the airport terminal is not a shelter and travelers should check with their airline for the latest flight information.
The National Hurricane Center has Hurricane Idalia nearing Category 2 status. Idalia’s winds are reaching a maximum sustained speed of 90 miles per hour. Idalia is currently tracking on a northward direction about 240 miles southwest from Tampa Bay in the Gulf of Mexico, and is moving at a speed of 15 miles per hour.
The minimum wind speed according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for a Cat 2 storm is 96 miles per hour.
1 p.m. update
Bradenton residents are bracing for the storm and weighing whether they need to evacuate before Hurricane Idalia affects Manatee County.
Public safety officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents in Level A, including all mobile home parks throughout the county, on Monday. A voluntary evacuation order is in place for Level B.
But Tuesday morning, some residents in the mandatory evacuation zone were still debating whether to leave.
Arnie Moshier, 61, who lives on Riverview Boulevard along the Manatee River, said he is concerned about the potential storm surge.
Around noon, high tide brought the Manatee River to the brim of the seawall.
“This street has been flooding quite a bit this summer,” said Moshier, who took precautionary measures by relocating his 45-foot boat to a nearby slip and removing furniture from his dock.
Moshier plans to ride the storm at home, but he said he will place a car up the street to evacuate if floodwaters begin to enter his home.
Hailey and Thomas McCoy also live near Riverview Boulevard, and while the pre-storm flooding worried them, they said they also plan to shelter in place at home.
“The problem is high tide right now. The flooding is the main concern. We’ll be OK, but the whole street is under water right now,” said Hailey, 43.
In Bayshore Gardens, a group of mobile home park residents stands ready to assist first responders after Idalia has passed.
Jim and Judy Brunett are members of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which works closely with Manatee County to evaluate storm damage and search for disaster victims.
“This is our home. This park is our extended family,” Jim, 80, said when asked why they decided to get involved with the organization. “It’s something we can do.”
Tuesday afternoon, the Brunetts were preparing to evacuate from their home at Trailer Estates Mobile Home Park to a nearby hotel. When the storm has passed, they will return to search the area.
Tuesday, the mandatory evacuation signs were up on Anna Maria Island and the public parking lots were closed ahead of Idalia.
But residents kept coming to Manatee Beach and Coquina Beach to fill sandbags.
“We live 100 yards from the bay and two miles from the beach, so we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Carl Hickel said as he shoveled sand at Manatee Beach. “This will be my first hurricane. If it floods, it floods. It is what it is.”
Tyler Pullen, who lives near Warners Bayou, was also filling sandbags at Manatee Beach.
“We are not on the good side of the storm, and we have a big tide tomorrow. It’s all about timing and the surge,” Pullen said.
Mike and Jenny Beehler were just about the only people walking along the surf at Manatee Beach.
The Beehlers were visiting from Minnesota, and Jenny was using a metal detector, looking for whatever might be buried there.
Mostly bottlecaps, Jenny said of what she was finding.
“We’re here just for the day to see my friend and we figured we would get out before it gets too close,” Mike Beehler said.
The Beehlers are considering buying a house in the Bradenton area. The last time they were in town was after Hurricane Ian passed through.
Jamie Christian of Cortez was at the Coquina Beach sandbag area.
“I’ve never seen it this quick,” Christian said of the rising waters at Cortez.
“Good luck with everything,” Christian told others at the sandbag point as she prepared to leave.
Susan O’Neill and Kelly Gross of the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe and some of their staff were finishing storm preparations Tuesday morning.
“We shut down at 5 p.m. Monday,” O’Neill said. “We wanted to give our staff time to get their homes ready. We will be closed all day today and all day Wednesday.”
At A.P. Bell Fish Company, 4600 124th St. W., Cortez, Karen Bell said operations closed there at noon Tuesday, and that all fishing boats were safely moored.
Bell said that with a full moon and high tide, she would not rest easy until Idalia and moved north well west of the Bradenton area.
“We’re closing at noon to let everyone get ready,” Bell said.
11 a.m. update
Hurricane Idalia continues moving north in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall somewhere in the Big Bend region as a major hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said.
The National Hurricane Center listed the following key messages related to Idalia:
- Catastrophic impacts from storm surge inundation of 10 to 15 feet above ground level and destructive waves are expected somewhere between Aucilla River and Yankeetown, Florida. Life-threatening storm surge inundation is likely elsewhere along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast, where a storm surge warning is in effect. Residents in these areas should follow any advice or evacuation orders given by local officials.
- There is the potential for destructive life-threatening winds where the core of Idalia moves onshore in the Big Bend region, with hurricane conditions expected elsewhere in portions of the hurricane warning area along the Florida Gulf Coast. Strong winds will also spread inland across portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia near the track of the center of Idalia where hurricane warnings are in effect. Residents in these areas should be prepared for long-duration power outages.
- Areas of flash and urban flooding, some of which may be locally significant, are expected across portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle and southern Georgia Tuesday into Wednesday, spreading into portions of the eastern Carolinas Wednesday into Thursday.
- Heavy rainfall from Idalia is expected across portions of western Cuba that may produce areas of flash and urban flooding as well as landslides.
Idalia’s maximum sustained wind speeds have increased to 85 miles per hour. The storm is continuing its northward path at 14 miles per hour.
9 a.m. update
A Hurricane warning remains in effect for Manatee County. It stretches between the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.
Additionally, storm surge levels in the 4-7-foot range are expected for parts of Manatee County, and there’s a risk of tornadoes along the west central Florida coast, the National Hurricane Center said.
“On the forecast track, the center of Idalia is forecast to move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, reach the Gulf coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area on Wednesday, and move close to the Carolina coastline on Thursday,” the National Hurricane Center said.
Manatee County residents in Zone A are under mandatory evacuation orders, while evacuations are voluntary for those living in Zone B.
Those were given on Monday and remain in effect. Three shelters were opened Monday afternoon.
They are:
- Virgil Mills Elementary School, 7200 69th St. East, Palmetto
- Jesse P. Miller Elementary School, 6014 Third St. West, Bradenton
- Freedom Elementary School, 9515 Florida 64, Bradenton
Manatee County schools are closed Tuesday because of the storm.
This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day.
Bradenton Herald reporters Ryan Callihan and James A. Jones contributed to this report.
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 10:21 AM.
