Hurricane Idalia in Florida: Who should evacuate? Complete list of areas with evacuation orders
Idalia could strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane as it heads toward Florida. Who should evacuate? Complete list of areas with evacuation order.
After presenting sustained winds of 80 miles per hour (mph), Tropical Storm Idalia strengthened, becoming a category one hurricane on Tuesday morning.
According to official information from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the phenomenon is expected to intensify to a category 3 hurricane shortly before hitting Florida. The tropical cyclone is expected to make landfall in the Sunshine State tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30, in the morning hours.
Idalia threatens Florida’s Gulf coasts with “life-threatening storm surge,” as well as flash and urban flooding throughout the state. Because of this, the government has issued evacuation orders in various areas, especially in coastal counties.
Hurricane Idalia in Florida: Who should evacuate? Complete list of areas with evacuation order
At 11:00 am. ET on Tuesday, August 29, the counties with evacuation orders are as follows:
Mandatory evacuation
- Citrus County
- Dixie County
- Franklin County
- Gulf County
- Hillsborough County
- Lafayette County
- Levy County
- Manatee County
- Marion County
- Pasco County
- Pinellas County
- Sarasota County
- Sumter County
- Suwannee County
- Taylor County
- Union County
Voluntary evacuation
- Alachua County
- Baker County
- Gilchrist County
- Hernando County
- Jefferson County
- Madison County
- Volusia County
- Wakulla County
*The list is updated in real time on the Florida Department of Emergency website.
Hurricane Idalia: Trajectory in real time
According to the NHC projection, Idalia will make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane tomorrow. Below, we share an interactive map with the track of the hurricane in real time.
Once the tempest passes Florida, it is expected to continue on its path, traversing Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina on Thursday, August 31.
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Free hotline
The Florida Department of Emergency maintains a statewide toll-free helpline that you can call for accurate and up-to-date hurricane information: 1-800-342-3557.