Hurricane Idalia is heading toward the Gulf of Florida and expected to reach landfall Tuesday into Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane. Experts are warning the storm could bring extreme disruption, severe damage and even loss of life to the area.

A number of promotional products companies are located in the region and are forced to make decisions about their operations as they attempt to protect their property and employees.

The Storm

Tuesday morning Idalia officially strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to intensify considerably before reaching landfall.

  • If Hurricane Idalia does indeed reach landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, as projected, then it will bring continuous winds between 111-129 miles per hour.
  • President Joe Biden has approved the Emergency Declaration for Florida.

As the storm reaches Florida, its current path suggests it will affect an area ranging from Tampa to the southern points of Tallahassee.

  • Mandatory and voluntary evacuations for six counties had already been issued as of Monday afternoon.

Effects of Hurricane Idalia could arrive as soon as Tuesday morning. Wind and rainfall are expected to increase across the affected areas over the course of Tuesday as the hurricane reaches landfall early Wednesday.

  • CNN reported Monday that “a small shift in the track could dramatically affect Tampa.” Reports from early Tuesday suggest the storm could be shifting north, which could result in Tampa avoiding the most severe weather.
  • Impacts will be felt outside of the hurricane’s “cone” as damaging winds and heavy rain are likely to be felt inland into Florida, parts of Georgia and potentially the Carolinas.

Individuals in the path of the hurricane should refer to this checklist of tips to follow taken from the American Red Cross, National Hurricane Center and others.

An Industry Prepares

FedEx has announced that it will ground operations in the Tampa area by 2 pm Tuesday. UPS has not made an announcement regarding services in the region.

  • Updates on the status of FedEx orders can be found here.
  • UPS order tracking can be found here.

Preparing for the impact of Idalia, Hit Promotional Products announced that beginning at 8 am Tuesday through Wednesday morning, the St. Petersburg supplier will scale back from two shifts to one for the safety of employees.

“Additionally, we’ll need to assess our factories for any potential damage before resuming full operations,” Hit Promotional Products said in a statement.

     

Tampa-based supplier Koozie Group has announced that it would be closing its Florida facilities before the storm reaches the area.

“With shipping carriers suspending service and mandatory evacuation notices issued by county officials due to Hurricane Idalia, we will be closing our Clearwater, Florida, facilities this afternoon at 2 pm ET,” Koozie Group said in a statement.

  • This will impact pens and most drinkware.
  • Koozie Group has suspended 24-hour service on these products and anticipate lead times will be extended by two days.

“We will inform you immediately about any orders that may be impacted, and our team plans to reopen on Wednesday, August 30, working through the weekend to minimize the disruption as much as possible,” the Koozie Group statement continues.

  • With Koozie Group’s Minnesota facilities unaffected, products like calendars, Sticky Note pads and bags will be unaffected.
  • Koozie Group asks that customers and partners check individual product pages for specific production times. Up-to-date order status details can be found by login into your account or using the Koozie Group Tracker.

Other promotional products companies including MP Direct, Lorente, among others, others are in the region expected to be affected by the storm.

PPAI Media will monitor the situation as the week progresses. If you are a member company anticipating delays or closures or have an important update in the wake of the Hurriane Idalia, reach out to News@PPAI.org.