Ports make preparations for Hurricane Idalia

With Hurricane Idalia rapidly strengthening and expected to make landfall on Florida’s northern Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning, ports in the area are taking precautions. Port Tampa Bay has closed all waterways, but land operations remain open so that fuel can still be shipped out. The US Coast Guard has designated the port state of ZULU, indicating the potential for gale force winds. Port Panama City is closed to both sea and land traffic, while the Port of Jacksonville is scheduled to close Tuesday night. Port Canaveral remains open but with limited operations. The Port Authority of Georgia is operating normally but expects tropical storm conditions. Ports in South Carolina, including the Port of Charleston, are also still open. Hurricane Idalia currently has sustained winds of 90 mph and is forecasted to bring a significant storm surge to the Big Bend region of Florida.

The Florida Ports Council has published an infographic illustrating the current port conditions, with updates available on their respective websites. Residents in affected areas are advised to follow evacuation instructions from local authorities and keep up with the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center.

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