Study: Rivers can supercharge Gulf hurricanes

In Horseshoe Beach, near where Hurricane Idalia made landfall, a drone image shows a displaced vehicle spewing gasoline into a neighborhood canal. (MAX CHESNES/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
In Horseshoe Beach, near where Hurricane Idalia made landfall, a drone image shows a displaced vehicle spewing gasoline into a neighborhood canal. (MAX CHESNES/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

By Jack Prator

Tampa Bay Times

TAMPA — Hurricane Idalia caught forecasters by surprise in 2023 when the storm rapidly intensified into a major hurricane overnight as it hurtled toward Florida’s west coa…