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The storm crashed into the Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane with dangerous storm surge.

Gulf coast. talk about the warmer water. what role did that play in the storm's development? >> warm water is the fuel for hurricane. in a normal year, by the time you get to august, most of the hurricane season, the gulf of mexico waters are warm enough to support significant hurricane strengthening. even anything above that is going to potentially enhance that potential. but there is certainly enough warm water we saw the rapid intensification we expected with idalia. and that is what is bringing those impacts to bear today on everyone in the southeast. >> okay, michael brennan, thank you so...

The aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Florida, see damage in Big Bend area, Keaton Beach. Plus latest track.

Idalia became a hurricane Tuesday morning and is entering warmer water and favorable atmospheric conditions for strengthening. Local impacts to the Big Bend come as soon as Tuesday night.

Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to become a dangerous Cat. 3 hurricane before making landfall in Florida later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. Impacts from the storm could be felt in Central Florida as early as Tuesday.