Several Florida ports shut operations as Hurricane Idalia approaches

Hurricane Idalia, which has reached Category 4 status now, poses a threat to port operations and vessels on major shipping lanes by the Gulf Coast of Florida.

MAP: Projected wind speeds of Tropical Storm Idalia. National Hurricane Center

The US Coast Guard has set “port condition Zulu” in several ports located on the west coast of Florida, including Port of Tampa, SeaPort Manatee, Port Panama City and Port St. Pete. Zulu comes into effect when gale-force wind gusts are forecast to hit the region within 12 hours. All operations have been suspended in these ports.

The “extremely dangerous” storm is expected to hit the region today and bring in heavy rains and flash floods across some areas on the west coast of Florida, the NHC said in its latest notification.

Hurricane Idalia is also forecast to hit the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina between later today and tomorrow.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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