Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida as evacuations ordered, schools close

Hurricane Idalia is gaining strength as it moves toward Florida, where residents are scrambling to prepare for the impacts of what is forecast to be a major storm. Idalia is expected to grow into an extremely dangerous hurricane before it makes landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

"Life-threatening" storm surge and hurricane conditions are expected along parts of the Gulf Coast Tuesday night and Wednesday, the hurricane center said. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency covering 46 counties. Evacuation notices have been issued in 21 counties, with mandatory orders in effect for some people in eight of them, The Associated Press reports.