Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to intensify into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, with Florida and Cuba preparing for the impact.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Idalia will become a hurricane on Monday and make landfall in Big Bend, Florida on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, another storm, Franklin, is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges to the US East Coast and Bermuda.

This all occurs as the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches.

Franklin, which is currently a Category 4 storm with winds of 145mph (230km/h), is forecast to weaken by midday Tuesday according to the NHC.

The agency warns that Franklin is already causing life-threatening surf and rip currents along the southeastern coast of the US.

Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a warning to Florida residents to prepare for the “major impacts” of Idalia.