lorida residents are bracing for a “wall of water” heading in the direction of them as Hurricane Idalia was upgraded to a “catastrophic” Category 4 storm on Wednesday.

Residents in weak coastal areas have already been ordered to depart because the hurricane strikes ashore later Wednesday, bringing winds of as much as 130mph.

Idalia is projected to make landfall in a while Wednesday morning, with US officers classifying it as a Category 4 storm, which means even well-built properties may very well be destroyed and energy traces reduce.

It might but strengthen even additional, mentioned the US National Hurricane Center because it strikes in-land, with residents being warned of “life-threatening” floods close to Florida’s western coast.

Hurricanes are measured on a 5 class scale, with a Category 4 hurricane which means “catastrophic damage will occur”.

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Officials predict what has been described as a “wall of water” as Hurricane Idalia hits, with surges of as much as 16ft close to the coast.

The US National Weather Service referred to as Idalia “an unprecedented event" because it is predicted to be the first-ever major hurricane on record to pass through the bay abutting Florida’s Big Bend, some 15 miles south of Tampa.

Speaking at a city meeting on the island of Cedar Key, which is set to be affected, Commissioner Sue Colson told residents: “One word: Leave. It’s not something to discuss."

State troopers went door to door warning the almost 900 residents of the coastal community that the storm surge could rise as high as 15 feet.

State governor Ron DeSantis repeated the warning on Tuesday, telling affected residents: “You really gotta go now. Now is the time.”

Asked concerning the hurricane on Tuesday, President Joe Biden mentioned he had spoken to Governor DeSantis and “offered him with every part that he probably wants."

With a large stretch of Florida’s western coast at risk for storm surges and floods, evacuation notices were issued in 22 counties, with mandatory orders for some people in eight of those counties.

However, among those refusing to heed the warning was Andy Blair, owner of the Island Hotel in Cedar Key.

“Being a caretaker of the oldest building in Cedar Key, I just feel kind of like I need to be here," Mr Blair informed the Reuters news company.

“We’ve confirmed repeatedly that we’re not going to scrub away. We could also be a bit of uncomfortable for a few days, however we’ll be OK finally."

Idalia is later forecast to cross the Florida peninsula after which drench southern Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday.

Both Georgia and South Carolina introduced states of emergency, releasing up state assets and personnel, together with tons of of National Guard troops.