Biden says areas hit by Idalia will 'have everything they need'
President Joe Biden briefly touched on Hurricane Idalia in comments made from the Oval Office.
He said he spoke to Gov. DeSantis, and voiced concern about the projected storm surge.
“We are there as long as it takes," Biden said. "We will make sure they have everything they need.”
Hospital in Tarpon Springs evacuates patients
AdventHealth North Pinellas, a hospital in Tarpon Springs, Florida, evacuated more than 60 patients to other AdventHealth facilities earlier today as Idalia approaches.
Hospital officials said the transfers were made “out of an abundance of caution,” based on storm surge projections, mandatory evacuation orders across the region and the facility’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon Springs is located roughly 30 miles northwest or Tampa.
The hospital also rescheduled all elective procedures that were to take place today and tomorrow.
“Our top priority is the well-being of our patients, team members, and the community we serve,” Ryan Quattlebaum, CEO of AdventHealth North Pinellas, said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional doctors, nurses and clinical team members who have shown unwavering dedication and commitment during this challenging time. Their selflessness to ensure the safety and care of our patients is truly commendable.”
Georgia governor declares state of emergency
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency today ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s arrival. Idalia is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida tomorrow morning before moving over southeastern Georgia.
Forty to 50 mph wind gusts and rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches, with up to 8 inches in some areas, are expected across the region.
Kemp said the state of emergency declaration, which went into effect today and expires at 11:59pm on Friday, will help free up state funds to respond to the storm.
“Georgians in the expected impact area can and should take necessary steps to ensure their safety and that of their families,” Kemp said in a statement. “We are well positioned to respond to whatever Idalia may bring.”
Over 500 flights canceled and 1,800 delayed in the U.S. as Hurricane Idalia approaches
Over 500 flights within, into and out of the U.S. have been canceled so far today as Florida braces for Hurricane Idalia's impact.
Of the 507 canceled flights, 379 were arriving or departing from Tampa International Airport, according to the online tracker FlightAware.com.
Exactly 50 flights were cancelled and 126 flights were delayed at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as of Tuesday afternoon. At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 25 flights were cancelled and 162 were delayed.
At Miami International Airport, 21 flights were cancelled and 91 delayed.
Orlando International Airport, which had four cancelations and 33 delays, said on social media that it plans to remain open based on Idalia's current forecast. If conditions worsen, the airport may stop commercial operations.
Gov. McMaster declares state of emergency for South Carolina
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency ahead of Idalia's landfall tomorrow. The declaration, issued in the form of an executive order, directs the state's emergency management division to be "prepared to respond" to requests for help.
"Although South Carolina may avoid the worst of Hurricane Idalia’s impacts, this State of Emergency is issued out of an abundance of caution to ensure that we have the necessary resources in place to respond to flooding events and are able to respond quickly if the forecast worsens," said McMaster, a Republican in the post since 2017.
"Now is the time for South Carolinians to begin making proper preparations, and everyone should begin actively monitoring official sources for the most up-to-date information — especially those along our coast and in low-lying areas," the governor added.
FEMA chief warns of high-risk storm surge
WASHINGTON — The storm surge from Idalia will likely be "one of the highest-risk parts" of the hurricane and threatens to wreak havoc along the west coast of Florida, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told reporters at a White House briefing this afternoon.
"Very few people can survive being in the path of major storm surge, and this storm will be deadly if we don’t get out of harm’s way and take it seriously," FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said.
Criswell urged locals to evacuate but emphasized they "don't have to evacuate far" if they happen to be in the path of the storm surge.
"It could mean just traveling 10 or 20 miles to get out of the most significant impact areas," Criswell said. "It does not mean having to travel hundreds of miles to get out of the storm’s path."
State of emergency declared in 49 Florida counties
A state of emergency has now been declared in 49 Florida counties, according to an amendment to an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Yesterday, there were 46 counties under a state of emergency. Brevard, Orange and Osceola counties were added to the executive order today.
Other counties under a state of emergency include Franklin, Gulf, Levy, Manatee, Pinellas, Volusia and Wakulla.
Florida requesting major disaster declaration for Hurricane Idalia
Florida is requesting a major disaster declaration from the federal government for Hurricane Idalia, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The request is in process and will be made today, DeSantis said.
“It’s our belief that that will be approved based on our conversations with FEMA," DeSantis said at a news briefing this afternoon.