Florida Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency as Hurricane Idalia expected to make landfall Wednesday

Idalia intensified to a Category 1 hurricane early Tuesday morning and is expected to strengthen before making landfall 

Bradford Betz, Lawrence Richard / Fox News

A state of emergency in Florida is now in effect for 46 of its 67 counties as the state is preparing for Hurricane Idalia to make landfall over the state on Wednesday.

Idalia upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane early Tuesday morning as the storm passed Cuba, according to FOX Weather. It is expected to be become a major hurricane with "life-threatening" storm surge when it makes landfall on Florida's western coast Wednesday morning.

As of Tuesday morning, Hurricane Idalia was located about 85 miles north of the western tip of Cuba and about 370 miles to the south-southwest of Tampa, FOX weather reported. Hurricane Idalia has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with higher gusts, and it's moving to the north at 14 mph.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of a "major impact" to the state, noting that evacuation orders have been issued for 21 counties and Florida residents should take them seriously. Read more,  see tweets and video here.