Tropical storm Idalia places Florida on alert for major hurricane

BBC News:

Florida and Cuba are bracing for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to intensify into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, forecasters say.

Idalia is expected to gain hurricane force before making landfall in Big Bend, Florida, on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Another storm, Franklin, could bring life-threatening storm surges to the US East Coast and Bermuda.

It comes as the Atlantic hurricane season nears its peak.

Franklin is the first major hurricane of the season, which runs from June to November. It is currently a Category 4 storm, packing 145mph (230km/h) winds, but is expected to weaken by midday Tuesday, said the NHC.

In an update on Monday afternoon, the agency said Franklin was already causing life-threatening surf and rip currents along the south-eastern coast of the US.

For now, Florida is focused on Idalia, with Governor Ron DeSantis warning the state should brace for “major impacts” from that storm.