Potentially as a category 3. it is forecast to bring a life threatening storm surge that could cause water to swell up to 12 feet in some areas of florida and up and down the state s western coast, floridians are preparing. we re tying the boats down. my husband is preparing what we can. there has been plenty of times when i ve overprepared and then griped about it afterward because all the work i did, i had to undo. but it is better than the alternative of not being prepared if it does turn this way and things go sideways. sunday it was like it is coming and now it is like get out. it is mandatory. i don t know if i want to leave or not though. i don t know where to go. we ll show you the time lapse imagery captured on satellite, it shows a lightning storm inside idalia when it was still a tropical storm. and also hurricane hunters