The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Idalia eyes Florida with life-threatening storm surge

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Tropical Storm Idalia expected to strengthen into major hurricane before Florida landfall

Florida residents living along the Gulf Coast are being urged to prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall this week.

Welcome to the Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather. It’s Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Start your day with everything you need to know about today's weather. You can also get a quick briefing of national, regional and local weather whenever you like with the FOX Weather Update podcast.

Hurricane HQ: All eyes are on Idalia as storm aims for Florida

Hurricane, Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watches have been issued for parts of Florida as the state prepares for potential landfall of Idalia. 

Idalia is expected to continue intensifying and make landfall as a major hurricane along Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 counties to ensure communities have the resources they need ahead of the storm’s arrival.

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Track Idalia live with FOX Weather

FOX Weather has put together a live tracker of the latest data on Idalia as it churns toward Florida here. 

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Do you know where to go should you have to evacuate?

With Idalia threatening, millions of people in Florida could be asked by local governments to head to higher ground and evacuate ahead of the potential hurricane. 

Check here for an interactive map where you can type in an address to see if your home or business falls in an evacuation zone and find the nearest exit route.

FILE – FOUR CORNERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: Heavy traffic moves slowly on I-4 East as residents evacuate the Gulf Coast of Florida in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ian on September 27, 2022 in Four Corners, Florida. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Franklin becomes season's first major hurricane

Hurricane Franklin continues to churn across the Atlantic and has become the season's first major hurricane. 

Franklin strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane early Monday morning and will pass several hundred miles off the mid-Atlantic coast.

The FOX Forecast Center says the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts will likely experience big swells and rip currents through the Labor Day weekend, but the forecast remains that the storm will not make landfall in the U.S.

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Before you go

Here are a few other stories you might have missed over the weekend: 

• Hiker's body found in Bryce Canyon National Park after flash flooding observed on trail, officials say
• Watch: Hurricane Hunters fly through eye of Hurricane Franklin
• Brush fire on Maui prompts brief evacuations in Lahaina as hundreds remain missing after deadly fires

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