Hurricane Idalia Brings Heavy Rains and Winds to Florida

Cedar Key Faces Storm Surge Threat

Hurricane Idalia whipped parts of the Florida Keys with heavy winds and rains as it remained offshore. The island of Cedar Key could be cut off by eight to 12 feet of storm surge from Idalia, which is heading toward the peninsula.

Landfall and Weakening

Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach in Florida's Big Bend as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. It has since weakened to a tropical storm as it moves into the Atlantic Ocean, bringing heavy rain and wind to northwestern Florida.

Threat to the Florida Keys

Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane again Tuesday night before it reaches Florida's Big Bend coast. The storm could bring tropical storm-force winds, storm surge, and coastal flooding to parts of the Florida Keys.

Conclusion

With the threat of sustained tropical storm-force winds for the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas now ended, the National Hurricane Center has discontinued the tropical storm warning for those areas. However, hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area in Florida by tonight or early Wednesday.