Tropical Storm Idalia Strengthens, Targets Florida's Gulf Coast

Tropical Depression Ten in the southern Gulf of Mexico is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Idalia and then a hurricane before making landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast. The system is forecasted to become a tropical storm on Sunday and a hurricane by Tuesday. Watches will likely be required for parts of Florida, with potential impacts including strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal flooding, and tornadoes. The highest rainfall totals are expected along Interstate 10 and west of Interstate 75, particularly in Florida's Apalachicola and Big Bend regions. The system's proximity to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and western Cuba has prompted Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches in those areas.