2023-08-29 03:45:31
Tropical storm Idalia intensified in recent hours and is approaching the western coast of Cuba on Monday, on its way to Florida, where it is expected to arrive as a category 3 hurricane, according to US authorities.
The storm is located 80 km southwest of the westernmost part of Cuba and advances with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h, according to the latest report from the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
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Idalia will become a hurricane this Monday, according to forecasts by the NHC, which put the Cuban province of Pinar del Río on alert.
The storm is moving north at about 13 km/h, and is expected to accelerate over the next few hours to reach the west coast of Florida, in the southeastern United States, on Wednesday.
By then it will have become a “dangerous” category 3 hurricane at least, that is, with maximum sustained winds of between 178 and 208 km / h, according to the NHC.
Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor and US presidential candidate, declared a state of emergency in 46 counties over the threat from Idalia and announced evacuations in parts of the West.
“This is going to be a powerful hurricane and it is going to affect the state of Florida in many different ways for sure. So please pay attention to the guidelines of your local authorities,” DeSantis said Monday at a press conference.
“This could cost someone their life, it could cost someone their livelihood,” the governor added. “This is a battle with Mother Nature and it’s not something you want to fight.”
The US president, Joe Biden, spoke with DeSantis in the morning and approved an emergency declaration for Florida, which guarantees federal aid to face the Idalia crossing.
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In September of last year, Category 5 Hurricane Ian killed nearly 150 people and left extensive property damage as it swept through southwestern Florida.
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