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NASA's viral video captures Hurricane Idalia from space as Florida braces for category 4 impact

Hurricane Idalia is situated 60 miles west of Cedar Key and 90 miles south of Tallahassee, with projected maximum sustained winds of 130 mph

TAMPA, FLORIDA: Hurricane Idalia is now forecasted to hit Florida as a highly perilous Category 4 storm when it reaches the coast early Wednesday, August 30, according to the advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Idalia is currently positioned 60 miles to the west of Cedar Key and 90 miles south of Tallahassee. Given its intensity, this hurricane is anticipated to come with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

NASA releases aeriel view of Hurricane Idalia

An aerial view of Hurricane Idalia has been shared by NASA and is now widely circulating on the internet, garnering significant attention. 

"Amazing views from space. The energy in a hurricane is unreal," one person commented under NASA's X post. Another added, "This is sooo cool but trippy at the same time. Feels like it’s upside down."

A third wrote, "I love this, watching this gives me humility," while a fourth added, "Unbelievable view of the Earth Thanks team Nasa All the best for the further reaserch."

"Mind blowing that I can sit watching this view live from my house in the UK," one wrote, while someone else quipped, "That is insane! Seeing natural events from space provides you with different perspective!"

Hurricane Idalia strengthens into Category 4 storm

According to the National Hurricane Centre's scale, Category 4 means "catastrophic damage will occur".

"Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed," it says. "Power outages will last weeks to possibly months." "Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months," it adds.

"While Idalia should weaken after landfall, it is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and near the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina late today," the NHC says.

Hurricane Idalia is predicted to make landfall at Florida's northern panhandle on Wednesday morning, August 30.

The forecast for Hurricane Idalia is alarming, with potential life-threatening circumstances expected. This includes the possibility of surging seawater rising as high as 15 feet (4.5 meters) above ground level in certain regions.

Additionally, the Carolinas and Georgia should brace for heavy rainfall and powerful winds. The impact is significant enough that 28 out of Florida's 67 counties have issued evacuation orders of varying degrees, predominantly along the upper Gulf Coast of the state.