Tampa Bay Under Hurricane Watch As Tropical Storm Idalia Progresses

FLORIDA — Tampa Bay is under a hurricane watch and storm surge after Tropical Storm Idalia formed in the Gulf of Mexico on a potential track to come ashore on the west coast of Florida Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said. The cities of Tampa and St. Pete are offering free sandbags to residents to prepare for a predicted storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.

At 8 p.m. Sunday, the center of the storm was located about 100 miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, moving east at 3 mph with highest sustained winds of 45 mph, forecasters said. Hurricanes have winds of 74 mph and above.

Forecasts call for the storm's center to move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, and approach the northeastern Gulf coast late Tuesday.

Additional strengthening is forecast, and Idalia is expected to become a hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday. Additional strengthening is likely while Idalia approaches the northeastern Gulf coast.

Storm surge could reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

Aucilla River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL, 7-11 feet
Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL, 5-8 ft
Ochlockonee River, FL to Aucilla River, FL, 4-7 ft
Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL, 3-5 ft
Tampa Bay, 3-5 ft
Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Chokoloskee, FL, 2-4 ft
Charlotte Harbor, 2-4 ft
Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL, 2-4 ft
Chokoloskee, FL to East Cape Sable, FL, 1-3 ft
Florida Keys, 1-2 ft

Idalia could approach Florida on Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of up to 100 mph, according to the latest forecasts from the NHC. Along a swath of Florida's west coast, up to 11 feet of ocean water could surge on shore, raising fears of destructive flooding.

Watches and warnings in effect for Florida include:

• A storm surge watch is in effect for Chokoloskee to Indian Pass, Florida, including Tampa Bay.
• A hurricane watch is in effect for Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.
• A tropical storm watch is in effect for south of Englewood to Chokoloskee, Florida, and Dry Tortugas, Florida.

A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.

Florida has mobilized 1,100 National Guard members, and “they have at their disposal 2,400 high-water vehicles, as well as 12 aircraft that can be used for rescue and recovery efforts,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“If you are in the path of this storm, you should expect power outages,” he added. “So please prepare for that, particularly if this storm ends up coming in the Tallahassee region, there’s a lot trees that are going to get knocked down, the power lines are going to get knocked down – that is just going to happen, so just be prepared for that and be able to do what you need to do.”

DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 33 counties on Saturday as a precaution. State agencies are taking "timely precautions" to ensure Florida communities are prepared.

The governor's declaration covers the Gulf coast from the southwestern city of Fort Myers north through Panama City in the Panhandle.

Forecasters said they expected Idalia to become a hurricane on Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico and then curve northeast toward the west coast of Florida. Large parts of the western coast of Florida are at risk of seawater surging onto land and flooding communities when a tropical storm or hurricane approaches, Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, said Sunday.

“So it will not take a strong system or a direct hit to produce significant storm surge,” he said. “So if you’re anywhere along the Florida Peninsula, western Florida Peninsula, so let’s say from about Fort Myers northward to the Panhandle, you've really got to be paying attention.”

Portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, and southern Georgia could receive 3 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated higher totals of 10 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, forecasters said.

Tampa residents can pick up free sandbags, city officials said Sunday.

"Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to bring heavy rainfall and winds to our area," a city Facebook posts said. "Prepare your home now. Register for Alert Tampa at Tampa.gov/hurricane. Double check your emergency supply kit and pick up free sandbags."

Sandbags are available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice at these sites:

• Himes Avenue Complex
• Al Barnes Park
• MacFarlane Park

The city of St. Pete distributed 5,000 sandbags Saturday and opened more locations Sunday. Eight additional self-service sites are open Aug. 27, and three full-service sites will open on Monday, Aug. 28.

The Pavement and Traffic Operation Building will also be open on Sunday until supplies are depleted.

St. Pete Sandbag Need-To-Knows:

• Each household receives a maximum of 10 sandbags.
• Staff will be on hand to assist seniors and others who may be unable to fill and load their own sandbags.
• Residents must provide proof of residence (such as a driver's license) to receive sandbags.

Self-Service Sandbag Locations
*Residents build their own sandbags here, city staff will be on site and available to assist as needed.
Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Sunday, August 27, and Monday, August 28

• Lake Vista Tennis Court Parking Lot – 12th St. S & 60th Ave. S
• Lakewood Sports Complex Parking Lot – 2001 Country Club Way S
• Grandview Park Parking Lot – 3734-3814 6th St. S
• Childs Park Pool Parking Lot – 1227 43rd St. S
• Campbell Park Shelter Area Parking Lot – 1360 5th Ave. S (Adjacent to Interstate 175)
• Azalea Athletic Fields Parking Lot – 1600 72nd St. N
• Walter Fuller Soccer Field Parking Lot – 2800 75th St. N
• Garden Club of St. Petersburg – 500 Sunset Dr. S

Full-Service Sandbag Locations
*City Staff build the sandbags here, and help residents load into their cars.
Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Monday, August 28

• Northeast Park – 955 62nd Ave. NE
• Lake Maggiore Shelter Area – 3601 Dr Martin Luther King Jr. St. S
• Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot – 2331 60th St. N

For additional information, visit stpete.org/hurricane.

The storm was not expected to menace southwest Florida, where deadly Hurricane Ian struck last year.

• Related: 2023 Hurricane, Tropical Storm Names Released For Atlantic Season

“Residents should remain vigilant and prepare for possible impacts early next week,” DeSantis said on social media.

Florida emergency officials on Sunday urged residents to keep their vehicle gas tanks at least half-full in case they need to evacuate.

“This will ensure you can evacuate tens of miles inland to a safe location should the need arise,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said on social media.

• RELATED: 2nd FL Sales Tax Holiday For Hurricane Supplies Runs Through Sept. 8

Guidance on how to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm is available online at floridadisaster.org/planprepare.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently said the 2023 hurricane season would be far busier than initially forecast, partly because of extremely warm ocean temperatures. The season runs through Nov. 30, with August and September typically the peak.

This story includes reporting by The Associated Press.