By EFE
Tropical Depression Ten became Storm Idalia on Sunday between the coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) and the western tip of Cuba and is heading north, specifically towards the west coast of Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.
According to the agency, a hurricane hunter aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA) "estimated" maximum sustained winds to be 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts.
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In a special bulletin issued at 15.15 GMT, the center of Idalia was located 80 miles (135 km) east-southeast of Cozumel (Mexico), while moving towards the Gulf of Mexico at two miles per hour (4 km / h).
This system will become a hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico "in a couple of days," warned the observatory, based in Miami, Florida.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cozumel, and for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.
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Rainfall with accumulations of between 2 and 4 inches (5 and 12 cm) or more is expected in portions of eastern Yucatan, while in western Cuba it could reach 10 inches (25 cm) and lead to flash urban flooding and landslides.
Also in these dimensions, rains are expected in the coming days on the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle and southern Georgia.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Saturday declared a "state of emergency" for 33 of the state's 67 counties that could be affected by the arrival next week of this system that could affect the Gulf Coast.
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According to the governor, "Floridians should have a plan and a supply kit stocked and follow updates" from the state's Division of Emergency Management (FLSERT).
Meanwhile, Hurricane Franklin is forecast to escalate into a major hurricane in the next few hours as it approaches Bermuda.
This morning, Franklin's center was located about 27 miles (430 km) northeast of Grand Turks Island and 575 miles (925 km) south-southwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour (150 km).
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At the moment, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, although in Bermuda "they must monitor the progress of this system," the NHC warned.
Franklin became a hurricane this Saturday in open waters of the Atlantic, after passing as a storm through the Dominican Republic, where its heavy rains and winds left 683 homes affected, three partially and as many were destroyed, and 3,415 people had to be displaced to safe areas.
In the current hurricane season in the Atlantic basin, nine named systems have formed: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don (which became a hurricane) Gert, Emily, Franklin, Harold and now Idalia.