Tropical Storm Idalia, pronounced “ee-DAL-ya,” is the ninth named storm this season in the Atlantic Basin. It is currently located slightly east of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula.
It is currently expected to hit Florida as a Category 1 Hurricane on Wednesday, making landfall between Pensacola and Tampa Bay on Wednesday, August 30th. The effects of the storm are expected to start being felt Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Idalia is moving slowly north, currently at 2 MPH, which is very slow. The presence of Hurricane Franklin in the Atlantic is contributing to its slow trek. Idalia is expected to pick up speed after Franklin moves north and east away from the Continental United States.
An ominous trend is that the letter I is the most retired storm letter. A storm’s name is retired when the storm causes significant damage or loss of life. There are 13 storms that start with the letter I that have been retired: Ione, Inez, Iris, Isidore, Isabel, Ivan, Ike, Igor, Irene, Ingrid, Irma, Ida, and Ian. Ian struck southeast Florida last year.
State of Emergency
On Saturday, August 26th, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the following counties due to the approaching storm: Alachua, Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citris, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties.
Hernando County Schools
The Hernando County School District has announced that it is closing all schools and most district offices Monday through Wednesday. The Hernando Emergency Operations Center has requested the use of several Hernando County Schools as shelters for residents.
Hernando County Government
Hernando County Government will be closing all offices and services from Monday, August 28th, through Wednesday, August 30th.
Hernando County Parks and the Main Landfill will remain open on Monday, August 28th, but will close on Tuesday, August 29th, and Wednesday, August 30th.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit in Hernando County will remain open on Monday, August 28th. Jurors will still need to report to Jury Duty. Please follow Doug Chorvat Jr., Clerk of Court and Comptroller, Hernando County, FL, for Jury Duty information. All scheduled court appearances are still in effect. The Clerk Of Court’s office is closed to the public.
Hernando County Emergency Management will be opening the Public Information Center to take calls and storm-related questions from the public beginning Monday, August 28, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. The number for the Public Information Center is 352-754-4083.
Sandbag Sites
The Hernando County Government has opened Sandbag Stations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day until further notice. A limited supply of sand and sandbags will be available at the following locations. Please bring your own shovel.
- Linda Pedersen Park
6300 Shoal Line Blvd.,
Spring Hill, FL 34609
- Anderson Snow Park
1360 Anderson Snow Rd.,
Spring Hill, FL 34609
(Enter through the service road between the park and the gymnastics place. The sand is
located at the end)
- Ridge Manor Community Center
34240 Cortez Blvd.
Ridge Manor, FL 33523
City of Brooksville – Sandbag Site Open 24 Hrs – Weather Permitting
City of Brooksville, Department of Public Works
600 S. Brooksville Avenue
Brooksville, FL 34601
