Aug. 30, 2023, 5:33 p.m.

Hurricane Idalia is looming over Florida's Gulf Coast, forcing massive evacuations in low-lying areas where flooding is expected when a Category 3 storm makes landfall Wednesday morning (local time). A Category 4 storm is expected. Worryingly, a rare super blue moon coinciding with a landfall hurricane could play a role in exacerbating storm flooding. The Moon will make its closest approach to Earth on Wednesday for the second time this month.
The supermoon makes a spectacular backdrop for photographs of landmarks around the world, but its enhanced gravity also causes rising tide levels. And according to Sky News, the impact isn't just limited to Florida, it's also being seen in Georgia and South Carolina.

These storm surges, known as royal tides, are caused by additional gravitational forces that occur when the Sun and Moon align on Earth.
Brian Haynes, chief meteorologist at the National WeatherService's office in Charleston, South Carolina, was quoted as saying, "I would say the timing of this event is pretty bad."

Idalia is scheduled to arrive on the Florida coast at 6:00 am local time on Wednesday.

The NewYorkPost reported that while the hurricane was still more than 100 miles from the coast, the tides flooded highways and busy canals.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 11 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Idalia had sustained winds of up to 110 mph (177 km/h), moving north at 18 mph (29 km/h).