Feeding on some of the hottest water on the planet, forecasters expect Hurricane Idalia to rapidly strengthen as it bears down on Florida. Scientists say 89-degree water where Idalia has been hovering effectively acts as rocket fuel for the storm. Hurricanes get their energy from warm water, and Idalia is at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Meteorologists said sudden storm strengthening is especially dangerous for coastal residents. This has been happening a lot lately. Six storms in 2021 rapidly intensified. A new study says rapid intensification is happening three times more often now globally than 40 years ago.
