Idalia intensifies its campaign in Cuba

The tropical storm idalia It is strengthening as it approaches western Cuba and is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane this Monday and become a major hurricane on Wednesday, with winds of 178 kilometers per hour (111 mph), near the northwest coast of Florida.

He The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that Idalia, which dumped heavy rains on the Yucatan Peninsula last weekend, is moving north at 8 mph (13 km/h) and at 1100 hours (1500 GMT) was just 80 miles (125 km) from the western tip of Cuba.

Its maximum sustained winds are already reaching 65 mph (100 km/h) and will strengthen from here until it reaches Florida on Wednesday.

A large area, covering the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Río Lagartos and the island of Cozumel (Mexico), plus Isla de la Juventud (Cuba) and Dry Tortugas Key, Florida (USA), are under a tropical storm warning.

But there is also a hurricane warning for Pinar del Río (Cuba) and a storm surge warning for much of Florida’s Gulf Coast from Englewood north to Ochlockonee Riverincluding populated Tampa Bay, and a hurricane warning from Longboat Key, south of Tampa.

In addition, parts of Southwest Florida, including the southernmost Keys, are under a tropical storm warning.

The NHC urged areas under warnings and watches to “urgently” prepare to protect lives and property.

According to the path predicted by NHC meteorologists, Idalia will follow a continuous northward movement. It will pass near or over western Cuba tonight and will be over the southeastern tip of the Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday morning.

Once in the Gulf idalia will accelerate, turn north-northeast and reach the northwest coast of Florida on Wednesday as a major hurricane, the second of the season as Franklin, currently over the Atlantic near Bermuda, is a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Idalia’s tropical storm-force winds extend up to 105 miles (165 km) from the center.

The NHC warned that the combination of storm surge caused by Idalia and natural high tides will cause flooding of normally dry areas near the coast and cause strong waves.

Water levels may rise to a maximum of 3.3 meters (11 feet) in some parts of Florida’s west coast.

In Cuba, water levels will rise 4 to 6 feet (122 to 183 cm) along the southern coast The pine forest of the river.

Idalia will also produce intense rains in its path, which will even reach the states of Georgia and Carolina in the north and south (the coast of this EE.UU).

This rain may lead to flash flooding and mudslides in western Cuba, as well as parts of the west coast of Florida, northwest Florida, and southern Georgia.