Idalia now a hurricane

[Courtesy of the National Weather Service, Jacksonville, Florida]

Hurricane Idalia has now been upgraded from a tropical storm as of 5 a.m. Tuesday as it is forecast to “rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous major hurricane” before it makes landfall, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane is currently located about 520 miles south to southwest of Ocala.

It is moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained wind speeds of 75 mph as of 5 a.m.

Western Marion County remains in a hurricane warning, impacting areas including

Central Marion, including Ocala, Anthony, Burbank and Weirsdale are under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning.

Eastern Marion has been upgraded to a tropical storm warning.

Evacuation is still recommended to those who live west of Interstate 75 in mobile homes, RVs or other substandard housing, according to Marion County.

Residents can expect thunderstorms today with tropical storm conditions possible tonight