Storm Idalia Becomes a Hurricane Threatening Florida's Gulf Coast

The strength of Storm Idalia has increased today, Tuesday, and it has transformed into a hurricane as it slowly heads towards Florida's Gulf Coast. Officials have issued evacuation orders and urged millions of residents to prepare and take precautionary measures before what could potentially be a Category 3 hurricane makes landfall tomorrow, Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, reported that Idalia is expected to steadily intensify before striking land tomorrow morning. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents living in flood-prone areas to follow shelter-in-place orders by moving to higher ground, warning that the storm's intensification could cause life-threatening flooding. DeSantis said on Tuesday morning, "If you have been ordered to evacuate, you need to do so now." He added that evacuation orders have been issued in 22 counties, and more than 20 emergency shelters have been opened.