Weather officials predict Tropical Storm Debby could be upgraded to a hurricane by Monday as it moves from the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.
Parts of Southwest Florida were already feeling the storm’s effects before it made landfall, with officials issuing tornado watches, watches and evacuation orders as winds and rainfall intensified. Fox Weather report.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC): danger Parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast could experience a “life-threatening storm surge,” with flooding of 6 to 10 feet expected between the Ochlockonee and Suwannee rivers.
“Evacuation orders are in effect for these areas,” NHC Director Mike Brennan said in a video posted to X, referring to areas along the state’s west coast and panhandle.
Note #Florida, #Georgia and #South Carolina! Here’s a quick summary from the NHC: #DebbieFollow the advice of your local emergency authorities and get prepared today. https://t.co/BGigqtveAv #SC #FL #ga #Tropical storm #NationalHurricaneCenter #NOAA pic.twitter.com/UhYMY10FDS
— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) August 4, 2024
Evacuations are taking place mainly around the Big Bend coastline, the state’s emergency management agency said. Urgent Orders The order applies to areas in Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Levy and Wakulla counties.
“You have several more hours to get to safety before conditions begin to worsen by this evening,” Brennan warned, explaining that Debby will continue to flood other parts of the southeastern United States after Florida.
The weather expert added that the NHC is “particularly concerned” about areas stretching from Savannah, Georgia, to Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, due to “excessive rainfall.”
