Monster. a major hurricane is swirling off the shoreses. forecasters warn that hurricane idalia could be a once in a lifetime storm that will gain strength as it barrels towards the panhandle. already officials have ordered evacuates across much of the gulf coast. they told residents to expect widespread power outages for days and they warn storm surges as tall as two cars stacked on top of one another. that poses a life or death risk to anyone who stays behind. let s get straight to meteorologist derek van dam who is in clearwater, florida. what are you seeing? reporter: it s the calm before the storm. listen, what we have behind us is a record warm ocean. that is not what we want to see this time of year with a strengthening storm. it s going to feed off that warm water. that means we are expecting a strengthening hurricane idalia upon arrival.