Hurricane Idalia tracking to Florida landfall as dangerous Category 4 storm

The time to prepare is over and a dire situation is unfolding along Florida’s Gulf Coast as Category 4 Hurricane Idalia continues to rapidly intensify in the Gulf of Mexico. Catastrophic, life-threatening storm surge and destructive winds will pound the state’s Big Bend region as the monster storm nears the coast just hours away from landfall.

Pass-A-Grille Way floods during Idalia

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office shared a video on social media of flooding on Pass-A-Grille Way during Hurricane Idalia. (Video: @SheriffPinellas/X)

Madeira Beach floods during Hurricane Idalia

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office shared a video on social media of a significant amount of water coming onshore in Madeira Beach. Gulf Boulevard between 129th Avenue and 150th Avenue. (Video: @SheriffPinellas/X)

Idalia's storm surge hammers Sunset Beach

The City of Treasure Island shared a video on social media of storm surge hammering the Sunset Beach Pavilion on Sunset Beach in Treasure Island. The region is expected to get several feet of storm surge. (Video: @TresIslandFL/X)

Treasure Island flooding amid Idalia

The City of Treasure Island shared video on social media of flooding on Gulf Boulevard. Officials are urging residents to not drive through flooded roadways. (Video: @TresIslandFL/X)

Hurricane Idalia 8pm update: Nearing Cat 3

Idalia remained a powerful Category 2 hurricane Tuesday evening and was showing signs of strengthening with maximum sustained winds at 105 mph. In the National Hurricane Center's 8 p.m. advisory, the center of the storm was located about 155 miles west-southwest of Tampa and 245 miles south of Tallahassee.

Hurricane Idalia 5pm update: Now Cat. 2 Hurricane

Hurricane Idalia strengthened to a category 2 hurricane and has sustained winds of 100 mph as it makes its way across the Gulf of Mexico into Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. It's forecast to strengthen to a category 3 hurricane before making landfall near Tallahassee.

UF professor helps prep for Hurricane Idalia

Shayla Zhao, an assistant professor in transportation engineering at the University of Florida, shares tips on preparing for Hurricane Idalia. She included some of the most important decisions that people need to make in areas where Idalia might impact them.

UF professor shares tips on storm aftermath

Carrie Stevenson, a coastal sustainability agent with the University of Florida, shares tips on how to not only prepare for, but how to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane.

Central Florida Zoo preps for Idalia

The Central Florida Zoo is prepping for Hurricane Idalia's landfall in Florida by making sure the animals are safe and the property is secure. The zoo plans to reopen Thursday.