Hurricane Watches issued for Florida coast ahead of Idalia -- Including Tampa Bay

ATLANTA (WUPA) -- The National Hurricane Center has issued the first Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches for the Florida coast -- including Tampa Bay -- in advance of Tropical Storm Idalia.

According to the Hurricane Center, as of 8 p.m., ET on Sunday, Tropical Storm Idalia has maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph, and higher gusts. It is located about 100 miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and is moving to the east-northeast at 3 mph. 

Idalia is expected to strengthen rapidly as it moves over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico starting on Monday.  The storm is expected to make landfall as -- at least -- a Category 2 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

The combination of storm surge and high tides will likely cause normally dry areas close to the coast to be flooded by rising water, with the deepest waters occurring closest to the coast. The storm surge will be accompanied by large waves, and can raise water levels significantly over normal tidal levels. 

Tropical storm-force winds are possible in the Dry Tortugas as soon as late Monday, and within the watch area on Tuesday.

Rainfall amounts from Idalia along the west coast of Florida, in the Florida panhandle, and in south Georgia on Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to run between 3-and-6 inches, with isolated higher totals of 10 inches, according to the Hurricane Center. Heavy rains are expected to move into the Carolinas by Wednesday into Thursday.

Much of Florida's Gulf Coast under state of emergency

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Saturday afternoon for much of the Gulf Coastal region of that state as forecasters monitored the tropical system. Emergency crews are ramping up to a heightened state of readiness.

"Our emergency operations center here in Tallahassee will go to a Level 1, 24-hour around the clock," starting at 7 a.m. ET Monday, DeSantis said.

The emergency declaration covers an area from Fort Myers northward to Panama City.

Current Watches and Warnings in Effect

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for: 

• The Gulf coast of Florida from Englewood to Indian Pass, including all of Tampa Bay.

A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for:

• The Gulf coast of Florida from Chokoloskee to Indian Pass, including all of Tampa Bay.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

• South of Englewood to Chokoloskee, Florida 
• Dry Tortugas, Florida 
  
• The Isle of Youth, Cuba

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: 

• The Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel. 
• Pinar del Rio, Cuba

A Hurricane Watch is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in the watch area. A watch is generally issued 48 hours before the first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds in the watch area.

A Storm Surge Watch is issued when the possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline is possible within the next 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch is issued for areas where tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours.

Interests throughout the southeastern United States should closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Idalia. The National Hurricane Center says additional watches and warnings will likely be required throughout the region on Monday.

Those throughout the region should prepare now.

• Georgia
• Tropical Storm
• Florida