Tropical storm Debby: When will it hit Florida? Will it become a hurricane?
The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Debby is likely to intensify as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico heading toward the coast of Florida.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that Tropical Storm Debby is strengthening over the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward Florida.
The storm is expected to intensify and develop into a hurricane on Sunday night instead of Monday as previously forecast. It is projected to make landfall in the Florida Big Bend Region.
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Heavy rainfall expected to bring Florida floods
The weather agency says Debby threatens to unleash a “life-threatening situation.” Although the storm is expected to lose some strength after making landfall, heavy rainfall will likely result in flash and urban flooding across parts of Florida and the coastal areas of southeastern portions of the U.S. this weekend through Thursday.
A hurricane warning is in effect over portions of the Big Bend Region. Tropical storm conditions will begin in the area late Sunday, developing into hurricane conditions on Monday.
Tropical storm conditions are expected through Monday farther south along Florida’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay Area and the Lower Florida Keys.
Perilous storm surge flooding is possible along portions of the Gulf coast of Florida from Aripeka to Indian Pass, and south of Aripeka to Bonita Beach, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
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61 counties under state of emergency
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has placed most of the state’s cities and counties under a state of emergency and ordered evacuations in some parts of counties on the Gulf Coast. He has also deployed 3,000 members of the National Guard to deal with the effects of the storm.
Debby is expected to cross central Florida, move up to Savannah, Georgia, and then hit Charleston, South Carolina.
The weather center is advising residents to keep themselves posted on the latest weather advisories that will likely be issued on Sunday night.