Hurricane Idalia is expected to move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico today and reach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, with higher gusts. In a statement, the National Hurricane Center said, “A storm surge warning is in effect for Englewood northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.”
Hurricane-force winds extend outward to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 160 miles out.
In the statement, NOAA said that a combination of storm surge and high tide could cause flooding. In the Aucilla River area, the surge is forecast to reach 12 feet. Folks in the Tampa Bay area could up to seven feet. Rainfall is expected to be as high as 8 inches.
Local companies, including Suzuki Marine in Tampa, have closed their offices and the Tampa International Airport shut down at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Nick Buis, who owns powerboat manufacturer Statement Marine in St. Petersburg, Fla., told Trade Only Today, “Because we’re on the east side of the storm surge, we’re going to get the brunt of the storm surge. If we get hit with a 6-foot storm surge, Pinellas County is done.”
