FEMA chief: Floridians need to take Hurricane Idalia ‘seriously’

by Tara Suter - 08/29/23 2:52 PM ET

Members of the Tampa, Fla., Parks and Recreation Dept., help residents load sandbags Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Residents along Florida's gulf coast are making preparations for the effects of Hurricane Idalia. — AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Members of the Tampa, Fla., Parks and Recreation Dept., help residents load sandbags Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Residents along Florida’s gulf coast are making preparations for the effects of Hurricane Idalia.

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warned Floridians to take the looming Hurricane Idalia “seriously” at a press conference Tuesday.

“I know that the people of Florida are no stranger to storms, and I encourage all Floridians to take this storm seriously,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said.

Idalia is projected to become a Category 3 storm before it strikes the Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Evacuation notices have been issued for 21 counties in Florida, eight of them mandatory. According to the Hurricane Center, some storm surges could reach up to 15 feet.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) declared a state of emergency for 46 counties ahead of the storm in the Sunshine State and also spoke with President Biden, who approved an emergency declaration for the state that will allow it to access federal resources to help respond to the storm.

“President Biden said Florida will have his full support as they prepare for Idalia and its aftermath. President Biden also expressed his commitment to ongoing support for the people of Jacksonville following the horrific shooting on Saturday,” the White House said in a statement.

The governors of North Carolina and Georgia have also declared states of emergency for their states.