The approach of Hurricane Idalia has resulted in mandatory and voluntary evacuations in western and north central Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for dozens of counties that are projected to be in the path of the Category 1 hurricane. It was just upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and is projected to intensify to a Category 3 storm when it makes landfall on Wednesday.
In a new emergency management briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 29, the governor’s office updated its state of emergency to cover 49 counties.
The governor’s office declared a state of emergency for coastal and inland counties in Central and North Florida.
These include Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla Counties.
According to FloridaDisaster.org, a branch of the State Emergency Response Team, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued mostly for counties along Florida’s west coast.
Hurricane safety
Storm trackers use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to estimate hurricane threats on a scale of one to five, with five indicating the most property damage and danger.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the following are the distinctions between hurricane classifications.
Category 1 hurricanes have winds ranging from 74 to 95 mph and are expected to have “very dangerous winds” that will cause “some damage.” Roofs, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters may be destroyed, as well as damaged limbs and the potential toppling of shallow-rooted trees and electricity lines.
Category 2 hurricanes have winds of 96 to 110 mph and are expected to have “extremely dangerous winds” that will cause “extensive damage,” such as major destruction to roofs and siding, potential toppling of many shallow-rooted trees, and near-total power outages that can last days or weeks.
Category 3 hurricanes with winds ranging from 111 to 129 mph and are expected to cause “devastating damage” and widespread devastation. This might involve serious damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends, numerous snapped or uprooted trees, and power and water outages lasting several days or weeks.
Category 4 hurricanes have winds ranging from 130 to 156 miles per hour. These hurricanes can cause “catastrophic damage” by destroying most roof structures and/or some external walls; most trees will be snapped or uprooted; and electricity poles will be destroyed, resulting in power outages that can last weeks or months. Furthermore, certain locations will be uninhabitable for an extended period of time.
Category 5 hurricanes have winds of 157 miles per hour or higher. They are also expected to cause “catastrophic damage,” with a high percentage of framed homes “destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse.”
Be aware of storm surges
Storm surges, which are caused by tropical storm or hurricane winds, are another major hazard that cause property damage and deaths, according to the NWS.
“Storm surge and large battering waves can result in large loss of life and cause massive destruction along the coast,” the NWS wrote on a Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources webpage. “Storm surges can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries,” the weather agency added.
Other water-related hurricane threats listed by the NWS include floods from severe rains that can last for several days after the storm has passed, as well as strong waves that can create lethal rip currents, beach erosion, and coastal structure destruction.
According to data collected by the National Hurricane Center from 1963 to 2012, water caused the majority of hurricane-related deaths in the United States, including storm surges and floods.
Hurricane Idalia: What to pack while evacuating
Various emergency response agencies urgently advise inhabitants in hurricane-prone areas to obey state-of-emergency instructions.
Residents in mandatory evacuation zones are asked to follow state guidelines.
Florida citizens can check their evacuation status and flood zone hazards on county websites, government social media pages, and the “Know Your Zone” map at FloridaDisaster.org.
Experts in hurricane and disaster preparation advise having basic emergency supplies and “go bags” available before a storm or natural hazard hits. The United States Department of Homeland Security has established a list of “Basic Disaster Supplies” on its Ready.gov website, outlining which goods should be included in evacuation go bags and shelter-in-place kits.
Non-perishable food and water (gallon per person per day)
Extra cell phone batteries or chargers
Battery-powered or hand crank radio
Flashlights and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle
Dust masks
Plastic sheeting and duct tape
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Non-sparking wrench or pliers
Manual can opener
Local maps
Hygiene and disinfectant products, prescription and over-the-counter medications, eyeglasses or contact lenses, infant formula, baby supplies, pet food, cash, checkbooks, copies of bank records, insurance policies, IDs, sleeping bags or blankets, clothes, fire extinguishers, matches, mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils, paper, pencils, and books are additional emergency supplies that people might want to pack.
Hurricane Idalia: How to prepare to avoid disaster
According to the NWS’s What to Do Before a Tropical Storm or Hurricane webpage, residents in hurricane zones should consider having items to fortify their homes, such as wood boards for boarding windows.
According to the NWS and Ready.gov, homeowners should also keep trees trimmed, clean gutters, bring loose outdoor furniture indoors, secure all doors, and move cars into garages or another secure area.
Both organizations recommend that storm forecasts and updates be checked before, during, and after a hurricane passes.
“Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors,” the NWS warns.
“If the eye of the storm passes over your area, there will be a short period of calm, but at the other side of the eye, the wind speed rapidly increases to hurricane-force winds coming from the opposite direction.”