Update 2023-08-29 (6): According to the sources, hundreds of flights remain cancelled on Wednesday (30 August) across Florida ahead of Hurricane Idalia. Additionally, dozens of flights were suspended on Thursday (31 August) across airports like Tampa, Tallahassee and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in Florida, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in Georgia and Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina.
Update 2023-08-29 (5): According to updated reports from Tuesday (29 August), evacuation orders have been issued for areas along the western coast of Florida due to Hurricane Idalia. Evacuation orders have been issued in at least 23 counties in Florida thus far. States of emergency have also been issued in at least 46 counties in Florida. Several Amtrak trains in Florida were cancelled on Tuesday (29 August) and several trains scheduled for Wednesday (30 August) have also already been cancelled. Storm watches are currently in effect for areas of Georgia and South Carolina as well. Flash flooding and urban flooding are expected to impact areas of Florida and southern Georgia through at least Wednesday (30 August), while flooding is expected to impact South Carolina on Wednesday and into Thursday (30 and 31 August). A state of emergency has already been declared in North Carolina ahead of the storm.
Update 2023-08-29 (4): According to reports, all flights from Tampa International Airport in Florida were cancelled on Tuesday (29 August) due to Hurricane Idalia. The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Terminal building is reportedly also closed. It has been reported that Southwest Airlines has been the most impacted by the cancellations, however, United, Delta, and American Airlines flights were impacted by delays and cancellations as well. Evacuations have also begun in Florida. The hurricane is currently still projected to make landfall north of Tampa as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday (30 August). The storm is also projected to cross through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina in the coming days.
Update 2023-08-29 (3): Storm surge warnings are now in effect for coastal sections between Sarasota and Tampa Bay to Indian Pass and Apalachicola Bay. Currently, authorities believe that these storm surges pose the greatest danger to people.
Update 2023-08-29 (2): Currently, Idalia is expected to develop into a level 3 of 5 hurricane by the time it makes landfall.
Update 2023-08-29 (1): According to the sources, heavy rain and wind are forecasted to increase while approaching Idalia on Wednesday (30 August) at around 8 pm (local time) in Greenville city, Pitt County, North Carolina State. Moreover, after Monday’s (28 August) rain, a flash flood warning has been issued for Atlanta, Georgia.