Hurricane Idalia prompts more than 20 evacuation orders in Florida

More than 20 counties in Florida were under evacuation warnings Tuesday as Hurricane Idalia intensifies.

"Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions" were expected along portions of Florida's Gulf Coast on Tuesday night and Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday.

"Rapid intensification is expected before landfall, and Idalia is forecast to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Gulf Coast of Florida Wednesday morning," the hurricane center said.

The National Hurricane Center issued a formal hurricane warning for Florida's northwestern coast, from Longboat Key to Indian Pass, which includes the Tampa Bay area. A storm surge warning is also in effect along Florida's west coast.

Winds were reaching up to 80 mph as of Tuesday morning ahead of the hurricane's landfall.

Here are the Florida counties that have issued evacuation orders so far:

Keep an eye on Idalia Tropical Storm Idalia updates: Storm surge warnings, evacuations ordered, shelters opening

Wakulla County: Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders

Wakulla County issued mandatory evacuation orders on Tuesday morning for coastal and low-lying regions of the county's Zone A. Voluntary evacuations orders are in effect for the rest of the county.

The current projected path for Idalia puts Wakulla at a high risk, and the emergency management officials decided not to open shelters in the county. Residents evacuating can go to Leon County:

• Fort Braden Elementary

• Chiles High School (pet accessible)

• Rickards High Schoo

• Lincoln High School

Gulf County: Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders

Gulf County has issued a mix of voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders, and the county is under a local state of emergency,

Voluntary orders are in place for residents in Indian Pass and low-lying areas. Mandatory evacuations are in place for all visitors North of Stump Hole, as well as those living in recreational vehicles along C30 and Highway 98, including Oak Grove.

Sarasota County: Mandatory evacuation orders

Sarasota County has ordered residents along the coast and in vulnerable homes to evacuate.

Residents in Level A as well as those in living vessels, RVs, mobile and manufactured homes are being asked to seek shelter elsewhere. A list of shelters can be found on the Sarasota County website.

Hillsborough County: Mandatory evacuation orders

The state's fourth-most populous county issued an evacuation order for residents living in Zone A, as well as those living in mobile and manufactured homes.

All shelters were open, though officials suggest residents look to stay with friends or family if possible and only use shelters as a last resort.

Special needs, pet-friendly shelter:

• Erwin Technical

Pet-friendly for the general population:

• Middelton High School

• Shields Middle School

• Steinbrenner High School

General Population:

• Lockhart Elementary Magnet School

• Newsome High School

• Pizzo Elementary

• Reddick Elementary

• Sgt. Paul R. Smith Middle School

Pinellas County: Mandatory evacuation orders

Pinellas County issued a mandatory evacuation for residents living in Zone A, as well as those in mobile homes and residential healthcare facilities. The county news release also encourages anyone evacuating to get to a zone farther from risk than Zone B in case conditions worsen.

The latest shelter information, including which shelters are set up for special needs or pets, can be found here.

Pasco County: Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders

The Pasco County government issued mandatory evacuation orders for some residents and voluntary evacuations for others. According to a county news release, those evacuating are encouraged to find shelter with friends and family. For those unable to take shelter with others, Pasco County Shelters were open.

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for the following residents:

• Those living in Evacuation Zone A, closest to the coast and waterways

• Residents living in a manufactured home, mobile home, RV, or flood-prone area anywhere in the county

• Residents in homes that have historically experienced flooding during a heavy rainfall

Voluntary evacuations are in place for:

• Residents of Evacuation Zones B and C

• Special needs residents of Pasco County

• Populations who become vulnerable during a power loss

Manatee County: Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders

Under a local state of emergency, Manatee County has also issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for those living in Level A, which includes the coast and land along the Braden and Manatee rivers, and people who live in mobile homes.

Level B is under voluntary evacuation, according to a county news release.

The following Manatee County shelters were open:

• Virgil Mills Elementary School

• Jesse P. Miller Elementary School

• Freedom Elementary School

Dixie County: Mandatory evacuation orders

Dixie County Fire Rescue has issued a mandatory evacuation for the county.

A general population shelter is open at the Dixie County High School and a special needs shelter is open at the Bell Middle/High School.

Franklin County: Mandatory evacuation orders

Originally voluntary, the evacuation was upgraded to mandatory order for all those living in the Barrier Islands, low-lying areas, mobile homes and RV parks.

Franklin County does not have its own shelters as the entire county is in a surge zone. Residents may go to shelters in Leon County.

Taylor County: Mandatory evacuation order

Taylor County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all coastal residents, and those living in mobile homes, travel trailers and sub-standard housing. Shelters will not be available inside the county.

The sheriff's office also advised that first responders will not be able to assist residents once sustained winds reach 45 mph. At that point, they will have to wait until after the event is over.

Suwannee County: Mandatory evacuation order

In effect as of Tuesday at 12 p.m. local time, all residents living mobile homes, travel trailers and structurally compromised housing are required to evacuate. The order also applies to those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Residents can seek shelter at the following locations:

• Suwannee Pineview Elementary School (pet-friendly)

• Branford Elementary School

• Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School (special needs)

Levy County: Mandatory evacuation order

Under Gov. Ron DeSantis' state of emergency order, Levy County ordered that residents of the following locations evacuate:

• Recreational vehicle parks

• Mobile and manufactured homes

• Coastal communitites

• Low-lying areas

Two shelters were open as of Tuesday morning: Bronson Elementary School and Bronson Middle High School.

Lafayette County: Mandatory evacuation order

Lafayette County has ordered residents in mobile homes, travel trailers and structurally compromised housing, plus those living in low-lying and flood prone areas to evacuate by 6 p.m. local time Tuesday.

Those seeking can shelter can go to the. Lafayette High School Cafeteria.

Voluntary evacuation orders:

• Hernando County - Voluntary evacuation recommendations have been issued for all areas west of U.S. Route 19 in Hernando County, which includes zones A, B and C. Public shelters for those who cannot stay with friends or family were opened at noon local time on Monday.

• Citrus County - A local state of emergency is in effect for Citrus County. People living in detached or vulnerable structures such as campers, RVs or tents, or along the west side of U.S. Route 19 have been advised to voluntarily evacuate.

• Baker County - The Division of Emergency Management asks that residents living in low-lying, flood prone home, or a mobile home evacuate before the storm. There are two public shelters available.

• Gilchrist County - As of 3:00 p.m. Monday, Gilchrist County officials declared a local state of emergency. Voluntary evacuation orders were issued in low-lying areas and for those living in mobile homes.

• Volusia County - The county suggested residents living in RVs, mobile homes or low-lying areas find shelter with friends and family starting Tuesday morning. They may also use public shelters as a last resort.

• Union County - Union County has declared a state of emergency ahead of hurricane Idalia. It strongly encouraged residents living in mobile homes or low-lying areas to seek shelter in structurally sound homes. All residents are encouraged to secure objects that could turn into projectiles.

• Marion County - The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management is recommending that citizens west of I-75 that live in a mobile home, RV or substandard housing evacuate.

• Madison County - The Emergency Management department in Madison County issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents living in low-lying and flood prone areas, mobile homes, travel trailers/RVs, and structurally compromised housing.

• Jefferson County - Those living in mobile and modular homes or in flood-prone areas are encouraged to evacuate.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Idalia evacuation orders issued in Sarasota, Wakulla, Pinellas counties