The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that "catastrophic damage" will likely be caused by a storm surge expected across parts of Florida's coastline.

A storm surge is a change in sea level that is caused by a storm. Large waves can be generated by the strong winds, pushing high-levels of water inland.

They can lead to extensive flooding.

Posting on social media, external, the NWS says an "inundation of 10 to 15ft (3.05m to 4.57m) above ground level and destructive waves" will occur somewhere between Aucilla River and Yankeetown.

The NWS also warns that "life-threatening" storm surges will occur elsewhere along portions of the Gulf Coast.

"Residents in these areas should follow any advice or evacuation orders given by local officials."

Image source, .

Georgia's governor has issued a state of emergency for the south-eastern state as it braces for the arrival of Hurricane Idalia.

"We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia's landfall tomorrow," Governor Brian Kemp said.

The emergency declaration, which will remain in effect through Friday, will "ensure state assets are ready to respond”, he added.

On Monday, Kemp activated the State Operations Center to monitor and prepare for any impact caused by Idalia.

A westward shift in the hurricane's path has “increased chances for impacts across inland Georgia, especially for southeast central Georgia”, the National Weather Service said Tuesday.

Heavy winds and rainfall are forecast to hit the state from tomorrow morning.

Mike Wendling
Reporting from Tampa, Florida

It’s hot and muggy here in Tampa, where residents are making their way out of the lower-lying areas which are under an evacuation order.

Some are headed to a series of shelters dotted around the larger Hillsborough County.

Edwin Toro was leading his dog into Middleton High School this morning. He just found out yesterday that he’d have to leave his apartment complex because of the storm.

“It’s in a really bad flood zone,” he says.

“I didn’t know.”

Some of the shelters accept pets, and Edwin had already been turned away from another nearby school.

Idalia is the first major storm since Edwin moved into the area in May, and he admitted to being “a little” worried – although his dog was pretty unperturbed.

Image source, Getty Images

After passing by western Cuba as a tropical storm, Idalia has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane as it barrels toward Florida.

It is expected to make landfall on Wednesday morning in the Big Bend area, although forecasters warn its trajectory could still shift.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts it will by then be a "major hurricane“ - likely a Category 3 - with "life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds".

Idalia could bring up to 7 feet (2m) of storm surge to the densely populated Tampa Bay area, and as much as 15 feet (3m) in other areas.

Wind speeds are expected to reach 125mph (200km/h).

Much of the state's gulf coast - or western coastline - is currently under storm surge and hurricane warnings, with major tourist attractions, schools and airports all shutting down in anticipation.

Image source, Getty Images

Residents in at least 23 of Florida’s 67 counties are under evacuation orders as the state braces for Tropical Storm Idalia to make landfall.

"This is a major hurricane," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at a Tuesday morning news conferences.

He added there would be "a lot of debris" and "a lot of power lines that are going to be down".

The storm surge could reach as high as 12 feet (3.5m) in some places, and DeSantis reiterated that locals should pack up and leave while they have the chance.

“If you’re there in that storm surge, you’re putting your life in jeopardy,” he said.

Those under evacuation orders do not have to leave the state, but could ”go to a shelter in a different part of your county, go to a friend’s house in an area that is not going to be susceptible to the storm surge, or a hotel”, DeSantis pointed out.

Tolls in affected counties have been waived to help fleeing residents.

More than 5,000 National Guard members, as well as thousands of search and rescue personnel and power repairmen, are on standby.

Image source, Reuters

Florida residents have been filling sandbags to protect their homes and businesses from any flooding and storm surge caused by Hurricane Idalia.

In this picture from Monday afternoon, groups of people fill bags from large piles of sands at a park in Bradenton, Florida.

Local authorities have warned the storm could be a category 3 hurricane when it hits Bradenton.

All of the area’s schools are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some operating as shelters.

Brandon Livesay
Live reporter

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Hurricane Idalia, which is forecast to intensify as it surges towards Florida.

Evacuations are currently underway in 21 counties of the US state, and residents have been warned to prepare for violent winds, intense rain and a potentially life-threatening storm surge.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warns the state should brace for "major impacts" from the storm.

Our reporters Mike Wendling and John Sudworth are on the ground in Tampa, where the international airport has now closed because of the storm.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates.