Hurricane Idalia gains strength as Florida officials warn of ‘catastrophic storm surge’

CEDAR KEY, Fla. — Hurricane Idalia strengthened to a dangerous Category 3 storm early Wednesday as it steamed toward Florida’s Big Bend region, according to the National Hurricane Center. Florida residents living in vulnerable coastal areas were ordered to pack up and leave as Hurricane Idalia gained strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and authorities warned of a “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” when the storm moves ashore Wednesday morning. Idalia was packing sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph) early Wednesday, after growing into...