DeSantis Declares Widespread Emergency as Hurricane Forecast to Hit Florida

Tropical Storm Idalia is slated to strengthen into at least a Category 3 hurricane before slamming into Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning.

The National Hurricane Center released its forecast for Tropical Storm Idalia's path on Aug. 28, 2023, showing the storm forming into a major Category 3 hurricane before hitting somewhere along Florida's Gulf Coast. NOAA/NHC

Tropical Storm Idalia is slated to strengthen into at least a Category 3 hurricane before slamming into Florida’s Gulf Coast on the morning of Aug. 30, according to the latest forecast model released by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Aug. 28.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 28 expanded a state of emergency to 13 additional Florida counties. The governor had already declared an emergency in 33 counties ahead of the storm’s expected landfall this week.