“Tropical Storm Idalia: Tracking the Path as it Heads Further North”

Hurricane Tropical Storm Idalia Moves Out of Florida
By Michelle Marchante and Devoun Cetoute

The Aftermath and Current Track

Tropical Storm Idalia, which made landfall on Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, is now moving along South Carolina’s coast, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisory. While the storm caused some low storm surge in Florida, the majority of the dangerous weather associated with Idalia has now dissipated.

Coastal communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast are still dealing with flooding in the aftermath, but the storm is projected to move northeast along South Carolina’s coast before heading offshore of North Carolina on Thursday. From there, it will continue to move east into the weekend.

Strength and Intensity

As of the latest advisory, Idalia is a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. Although it is currently weakening as it moves over land, there is uncertainty regarding its intensity once it returns to the Atlantic. The potential interaction with stronger winds in the Atlantic makes it challenging to predict its future strength accurately.

The NHC has considered the possibility of Idalia becoming post-tropical, but due to the uncertainty, it is still classified as a tropical storm for the next five days.

Potential Weather Impacts

While the storm surge warnings and watches have been discontinued for Florida and Georgia, there are still warnings and watches in place for the Carolinas. In areas with onshore winds, storm surge accompanied by large waves is expected. South Carolina could experience storm surges of up to 5 feet.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue along the northeastern coasts of Georgia and South Carolina until Thursday, with these winds spreading into North Carolina on Wednesday night.

Idalia is forecast to bring significant rainfall, with 4 to 8 inches expected in some areas and isolated parts possibly seeing up to 10 inches. This heavy rain is expected to affect east-central Georgia, central to eastern South Carolina, and eastern North Carolina through Thursday. Flash flooding, urban flooding, and moderate river flooding are all possible, leading to considerable impacts.

Watches and Warnings

The current watches and warnings related to Idalia are as follows:

• Tropical storm warning: Volusia/Brevard County Line to the North Carolina/Virginia border; Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
• Storm Surge warning: St. Catherine’s Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina
• Storm Surge Watch: Beaufort Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina; Neuse and Pamlico Rivers, North Carolina

Conclusion

Tropical Storm Idalia has moved out of Florida and is currently moving along South Carolina’s coast. While the storm has weakened and the dangerous weather has subsided, the needs for caution and preparedness remain. Coastal communities in the Carolinas should be on alert for storm surges and significant rainfall, which could lead to flooding. It is crucial to stay updated with the latest information from the National Hurricane Center and follow any evacuation orders or safety precautions issued by local authorities.

As always, it is a reminder that these tropical storms and hurricanes are natural phenomena that remind us how interconnected we are with the forces of nature. They pose challenges for meteorologists, emergency responders, and local communities, highlighting the need for proactive planning, infrastructure development, and immediate responses to mitigate the impact of such events.