Florida in US and Cuba are bracing for tropical storm Idalia, which is expected to intensify into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, according to forecasters. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, Idalia is expected to gain hurricane force before making landfall in Big Bend, Florida tomorrow.

Another storm, Franklin, could bring life-threatening storm surges to the US East Coast and Bermuda. It comes as the Atlantic hurricane season nears its peak, the Center said. Franklin is the first major hurricane of the season, which runs from June to November. It is currently a Category 4 storm, packing 230 km per hour winds, but is expected to weaken today, said the NHC. 'Idalia' lashed western Cuba and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it moved towards Florida's Gulf Coast, where officials ordered evacuations and urged residents to prepare for an expected landfall tomorrow.