A video shot by pilots at MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Florida, showed lightning-like meteorological phenomena known as St. Elmo's fire. According to the Wall Street Journal, the base began evacuating as Hurricane Idalia approached the state. The video was shot on August 28.
The Air Base stated on X, previously Twitter, that "during the evacuation, the 50th ARS recorded St. Elmo's fire, a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created in an atmospheric electric field."
According to the latest National Hurricane Center assessment, Hurricane Idalia is expected to be a “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane when it makes landfall early Wednesday (US time).
Idalia is anticipated to inundate areas of Florida's Big Bend region with a “catastrophic” storm surge of 12 to 16 feet – higher than a typical city bus, according to the National Weather Service. "There is the potential for destructive, life-threatening winds where the core of Idalia moves onshore in the Big Bend region," stated the hurricane center.
The National Hurricane Center stated in its alert, "Catastrophic impacts from storm surge inundation of 12 to 16 feet above ground level and destructive waves are expected somewhere between the Wakulla/Jefferson County line and Yankee town, Florida." Life-threatening storm surge inundation is anticipated elsewhere along the Florida Gulf Coast, where a Storm Surge Warning is in place. Residents in these locations should follow any instructions offered by local authority."
“Where the core of Idalia moves onshore in the Big Bend region of Florida, there is the potential for destructive life-threatening winds, with hurricane conditions expected elsewhere in portions of the Hurricane Warning area along the Florida Gulf Coast.” Strong winds will also sweep inland through sections of northern Florida and southern Georgia, where Hurricane Warnings are in force, near the course of Idalia's center. Residents in these locations should brace themselves for lengthy power disruptions. “Damaging hurricane-force winds are possible in portions of eastern Georgia and southeastern South Carolina where Hurricane Watches are in effect,” the National Weather Service said.
The Center also predicted flash, urban, and moderate river flooding with locally significant consequences in the Florida Big Bend, central Georgia, and South Carolina, as well as eastern North Carolina, through Thursday.
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