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Florida’s Big Bend region is under a hurricane watch on Saturday as a potential tropical storm is set to make landfall in the coming days.
The storm, currently categorized as Tropical Depression 4 and expected to upgrade into Tropical Storm Debby, is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Sunshine State through Wednesday. The storm is forecasted to make landfall early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Hurricane conditions could begin in western Florida as early as Sunday night. Afterward, the storm is expected to slow, which could mean concentrated rain and flooding in the region, the NWS added.
The Florida Keys are also under a tropical storm watch as the system blows through the Gulf of Mexico.
Beach-front communities in Florida are now preparing for the devastating storm, with city workers securing lifeguard towers, trash cans and equipment on beaches as winds blow in.
Jevon Graham, emergency management division chief for Clearwater, Florida, told theTampa Bay Times that storm surge and rainfall pose the biggest threats to the community.
“We’re just kind of prepping the city for the flood that may potentially come our way,” Graham said.
Tropical depression brings tornado threat to Florida
The Florida Keys and southwestern Florida could see tornadoes on Saturday as a tropical depression approaches the state.
“We do have the risk for tornadoes and some of those rain bands, especially later today and into tonight as the center of the system moves into the Gulf of Mexico,” Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, said on Saturday.
The system is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby as it makes landfall in Florida in the coming days.
Katie Hawkinson3 August 2024 20:33
‘Please listen to advice from officials’: NWS warns of dangerous storm surge
Dr. Michael Brennan, National Hurricane Center director, said dangerous storm surge is expected as a tropical depression approaches western Florida.
The storm will likely make landfall at or near hurricane strength early Monday, Brennan said on Saturday morning.
“So if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone in this region along the Florida Big Bend coast, please listen to any advice you’re given by your local officials,” Brennan warned. “Know if you are asked to evacuate, please know where you’re going to go, how you’re going to get there. Remember, in many cases, you only have to drive tens of miles inland to get away from the storm surge evacuation zone danger area.”
The storm is expected to slow as it makes landfall, which could lead to intense flooding.
“That’s going to exacerbate not just the rainfall risk, but also the potential for storm surge and some strong winds,” Brennan said of the slowing storm.
Katie Hawkinson3 August 2024 20:11
Watch: Florida storm forecast
Katie Hawkinson3 August 2024 19:56
In pictures: Florida beaches prepare for incoming storm
Clearwater, Florida city employees are preparing Clearwater Beach as a tropical depression threatens to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby and make landfall in Florida early Monday.
Katie Hawkinson3 August 2024 19:41
Tropical depression heads for Florida, expected to strengthen
Heavy rain, storm surge and flooding are now threatening western Florida.
Katie Hawkinson3 August 2024 19:27
