Idalia upgraded to Category 2 hurricane

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

Hurricane Idalia is now a Category 2 hurricane as of 5 p.m. Tuesday as it is forecast to increase in strength and make landfall in the northwest Big Bend of Florida early Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm currently has maximum sustained wind speeds of 100 mph and is located about 195 miles southwest of Tampa and 300 miles south of Tallahassee. It is moving north at 16 mph.

Conditions in western Marion County are forecast to be the worst, with a hurricane warning still enacted west of Interstate 75, including the Ocala Airport, Rainbow Lakes Estates, Dunnellon and Romeo. There is a potential for several tornadoes.

As of 5:03 p.m. Tuesday, wind conditions in this area are 25 to 35 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph. Wind conditions have the potential to worsen to 74 to 110 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, is still under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning.

As of 5:03 p.m. Tuesday, wind conditions in this area are 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph. Wind conditions have the potential to worsen to 74 to 110 mph.

Peak rainfall in central Marion is forecast to be 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts, according to NWS.

Current conditions in eastern Marion are similar, with wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of up to 50 mph, but with a lower potential of wind speeds from 58 to 73 mph.

Rain levels in this area are forecast from 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts, according to NWS.

Alert Marion issued the following notice at 5:18 p.m.:

“If you need to seek shelter from this hurricane, go to www.marionso.com for shelter information and locations.”