NHC UPDATE: TD 10 upgraded to Tropical Storm Idalia

  • Tropical Storm Idalia was officially named by the National Hurricane Center at 11:15 a.m. PHOTO/TROPICAL TIDBITS
    Tropical Storm Idalia was officially named by the National Hurricane Center at 11:15 a.m. PHOTO/TROPICAL TIDBITS

At 11:15 a.m., the National Hurricane Center reported that observations from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated Tropical Depression Ten has strengthened into Tropical Storm Idalia. The maximum winds are estimated to be 40 mph.

Another interesting development: the minimum center pressure was reported at 996 millibars, down from 1001 listing in the NHC's 11 a.m. forecast update. This shows the storm is strengthening, and well on its way to likely becoming a hurricane. The NHC predicts Idalia to strengthen to a 90 mph storm before landfall around the Big Bend area of Florida early Wednesday; that's a strong Category 1 storm on the cusp of a Category 2.

On the current path of projected movement -- that's all that is right now, a projection, it is not the absolute "where the storm is going" -- the storm will pass over very warm, deep Gulf of Mexico waters that will induce strengthening. The NHC also noted at 11 a.m. that the official forecast track was "nudged to the right of the previous one, but is not quite as far east as the latest corrected consensus, HCCA, prediction."

Osceola County's  Executive Advisory Group (EAG) will meet this afternoon to discuss the potential impacts 

The right edge of the cone of projection continues to be right along I-4. This is a storm that Osceola County residents MUST keep updated on. The county urges residents to review their disaster preparations. The county brought up some things to note:

•         Residents should secure loose outdoor equipment and yard debris, and check on pantry and medical supplies – and prepare a disaster supply kit, including food and water. The 2nd 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday began Saturday and residents should take advantage to get supplies like water, batteries, and the food needed to make it through a power outage.
•         Sandbag distribution is NOT PLANNED at this time.
•         Review or prepare a plan for your family and/or business, including how to stay safe during a hurricane or tropical storm.
•         The Osceola County Office of Emergency Management provides resources on its website, http://readyosceola.org.
•        To receive real-time updates via phone, text or email simply text the word #AlertOsceola to 888777 on your mobile device or online at https://alertosceola.org.