Florida braces for impact of Category 4 Hurricane Idalia

The US National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia “an unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend

Residents have been told to expect catastrophic damage (AP)

Hurricane Idalia has strengthened to a dangerous Category 3 storm as it heads toward Florida’s Big Bend region, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.

Florida residents living in vulnerable coastal areas have been ordered to pack up and leave as Hurricane Idalia gained strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and authorities warned of a “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” when the storm moves ashore Wednesday morning.