If you thought the hurricane season was over…

…you’re either mistaken, or just took a massive drag from the cross joint.

According to the National Weather Service, Tropical Storm Idalia – one the first major hurricanes of the Atlantic hurricane season, which typically runs from June to November – is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane (winds between 111-129 mph) before making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast tomorrow.

When it does, the biggest danger to residents and properties won’t necessarily be the winds – it’ll be the storm surge, which could result in some areas of the state experiencing 7 to 11 feet of water above ground level. Storm surge was the #1 cause of death during Hurricane Ian last year.

• 46 Florida counties are now under a preemptive state of emergency due to Idalia, up from 33 over the weekend. Evacuations have also been ordered for many counties, including those around Tampa.
• Thousands of Florida National Guard members are also on standby. Because safety comes first, then teamwork.

🌀 Zoom out: Globally, warmer sea surface temps and a rise in water levels have been contributing to an increase in the intensity of tropical storms. Over the 39-year period from 1979-2017, the number of major hurricanes increased while the number of smaller hurricanes decreased, according to a study published in PNAS.