"Utility Pole Knocked Down and Building Exterior Blown Away"... Category 4 Super Typhoon Approaches US Southeast

Hurricane 'Idalia' Approaches Coast, Strengthens
Florida on High Alert... Evacuation Orders and Power Outage Preparations Underway

Category 4 super hurricane 'Idalia,' strong enough to topple utility poles and damage building exteriors, is expected to strike Florida, USA, prompting a state of emergency in the area on the 30th (local time).

According to US CNN and others, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded Idalia to Category 4 as of 5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day. This upgrade came just three hours after it was raised to Category 3. Idalia is intensifying as it approaches landfall.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Category 4 hurricane like Idalia has wind speeds ranging from 130 to 156 miles per hour (209 to 251 km/h). It can cause severe damage such as breaking building exteriors, snapping most trees, and toppling utility poles. This may result in prolonged power outages.

If it strengthens further to exceed 157 miles per hour (252 km/h) and reaches Category 5, it will cause "catastrophic damage." Multiple homes could be destroyed, and bridges connecting rivers may collapse. There have been four Category 5 hurricanes to hit the US mainland, three of which made landfall in Florida.

The NHC predicted, "As the center of Idalia moves inland over the Big Bend area, destructive and life-threatening winds may occur."

Idalia was moving north toward Florida at 110 miles per hour (177 km/h) the previous afternoon, with accompanying rain clouds striking Florida's west coast. Tornado warnings were also issued.

Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said at a White House briefing, "This storm is very powerful," urging Florida residents to follow evacuation orders issued by local authorities.

Local authorities in Florida and surrounding areas are urgently ordering evacuations to minimize loss of life and property damage. Florida, in particular, suffered massive casualties and property damage from the Category 5 hurricane 'Ian' last September. Approximately 150 people died, and 52,000 buildings were damaged due to that hurricane.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents to prepare for possible power outages and advised moving to safe locations in anticipation of the hurricane. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in at least 28 of Florida's 67 counties, and residents along the Gulf Coast are preparing for strong winds. Florida authorities have placed 25,000 public service workers on standby and plan to deploy an additional 30,000 workers in preparation for power outages and other emergencies.

Neighboring Georgia and South Carolina have declared states of emergency, securing personnel and resources, including hundreds of National Guard members, according to the Associated Press.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.