30 August 2023 (Lloyd's List) - HURRICANE Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Wednesday morning as a category 3 storm, bringing life-threatening storm surges inundation and maximum sustained winds of more than 100 miles per hour.
The storm is expected to weaken somewhat but remain at hurricane strength as it quickly moves through southern Georgia and turns northeast up the Atlantic coasts towards South and North Carolina late today and Thursday.
“Idalia is forecast to be a tropical storm while moving near the coasts of northeastern South Carolina and North Carolina tonight and on Thursday,” the National Hurricane Center said.
“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km).”
Seaport Manatee and port Tampa Bay on Florida’s US Gulf coast, and Jaxport and Port Canaveral on the Atlantic coast were shut for vessel operations under US Coast Guard condition Zulu, indicating gale force winds expected within 12 hours.
Port of Panama City, which is further northwest up the US Gulf coast, was allowed by the USCG to reopen.
Up the Atlantic coast, port of Savannah said terminal gates would close at noon on Wednesday. Vessel and terminal operations are expected to resume on Thursday having closed on Tuesday.
Port of Charleston said all terminals and gates were running normally on Wednesday, although all waterfront operations and vessel movements would be suspended from noon local time under port condition Zulu.
