Hurricane Idalia forecast to make landfall as Category 4

[Courtesy of the National Hurricane Center]

Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen and is now forecast to reach Category 4 strength before making landfall east of St. Marks, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane is currently a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and is moving north at 10 mph. It is currently located 125 west of Tampa and 185 miles south of Tallahassee.

All of Marion County is under a tornado watch as of 8:30 p.m., according to Alert Marion.

Western Marion County, including the Ocala Airport, Rainbow Lakes Estates, Dunnellon and Romeo, remains under a hurricane warning and a flood watch.

As of 11:06 p.m. Tuesday, wind conditions in this area are conditions in this area are 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 65 mph.

A flood watch is currently in effect in western Marion, as peak rainfall is forecast to be 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts, according to the National Weather Service.

People living in mobile homes, RVs or substandard housing west of I-75 are recommended for voluntary evacuation, according to county officials.

Central Marion County, including Ocala, Anthony, Burbank and Weirsdale, remains under a tropical storm warning, but no longer a hurricane watch.

As of 11:06 p.m. Tuesday, wind conditions in this area are conditions in this area are 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 65 mph.

Peak rainfall levels are forecast to be 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts.

Eastern Marion County, including Lynne and Moss Bluff, remains under a tropical storm warning.

As of 11:06 p.m. Tuesday, wind conditions in this area are conditions in this area are 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph.

Peak rainfall levels are forecast to be 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts, according to NWS.