Tropical Storm Idalia Could Push Coastal Flooding to Record Levels

By Terry Wit – Spotlight Senior Reporter

Coastal residents in Levy County are being warned today that extremely dangerous storm surge flooding could occur when Tropical Storm Idalia goes past the county on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Evacuations are likely in the coastal communities like Cedar Key and Yankeetown. The Levy County School District is expected to close schools for half a day Tuesday.

John MacDonald, Levy County Emergency Management director, said coastal flooding could exceed levels set by Hurricane Hermine and the No-Name Storm in years past.

He said the highest storm surge should occur on Wednesday when the storm has passed Levy County but the trailing winds are continuing to pile up water in the Gulf of Mexico.

He said Idalia has the potential to develop into a Category 2 and Category 3 hurricane. He should know more by tomorrow. It’s too early to say at this point.

Coastal flooding will occur during King Tide when Gulf of Mexico levels are two to three feet above normal without the effects of a tropical cyclone pushing the water toward the shore.

The forecast could change if the storm develops into a hurricane and either slows down or speeds up.

“If it stays like it is now, they are going to get water like they ain’t never seen,” MacDonald said. “If this thing gets to a Cat 2 or 3; right now, they’re thinking at 2 at last. We shall see,” MacDonald said.

He said he is giving coastal residents at least 48-hour hours of advance notice to pack up their things and move to safer lodging.

MacDonald said inland areas of Levy County will likely see tropical storm force gusts and rainfall of 2-4 inches.