Tropical Storm Debby Expected to Escalate into a Category 1 Hurricane: Florida Prepares for Impact
Tropical Storm Debby has been gaining momentum and strength over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As of Sunday morning, it recorded winds of 60 mph. At this rate, Debby is foreseen to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by the end of today, based on predictions from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Gathering Storm
Travelling north towards Florida’s Gulf Coast, warnings have been raised as meteorologists predict that the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico will further fuel the progression of Tropical Storm Debby to become a Category 1 hurricane. Projections from NHC indicated that by the time Debby makes landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on Monday afternoon, its whirlwinds would potentially reach escalated speeds of up to 85 mph.
In response to this development, resident Floridians along the coast have been put on high alert. Early Monday morning, the shoreline is expected to encounter possible hurricane conditions. Moving beyond the Gulf Coast of Florida, Debby is also forecasted to wield unfavorable weather conditions across the southeastern region, inflicting disturbances along the Atlantic coast. To this anticipated danger, tropical storm watches for Georgia and South Carolina have been added.
As of the 7 a.m. update on Sunday, the core of Tropical Storm Debby was identified approximately 155 miles below Tampa, Florida. It was advancing in a north-northwestern trajectory at a speed of 13 mph. Although Debby currently records winds of 60 mph, meteorologists anticipate a quick acceleration before landfall. At peak strength, Debby’s winds are predicted to hit 85 mph, consistent with the velocity of a Category 1 hurricane.
Hurricane Watch
With the storm, forecasts of heavy rains and high storm surges are expected to create a perilous environment for residents. Coastal areas in Florida and the southeastern region may receive a rainfall ranging from 6 to 12 inches, and certain areas may get as much as 18 inches. In addition to this, Tropical Storm Debby potentially holds a storm surge of 10 to 12 feet for Florida. The risk of tornadoes has also been identified today in areas of western and northern Florida, as well as in South Georgia.
Keeping the growing threat in purview, a comprehensive list of warnings and watches has been issued for areas within the projected path of Tropical Storm Debby:
- A Storm Surge Warning for the Florida coast from Aripeka extending to Indian Pass.
- A Storm Surge Watch for Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor has been issued, starting from Bonita Beach extending to Aripeka on the Florida coast, and from the mouth of the St. Mary’s River reaching the South Santee River in South Carolina on the Georgia and South Carolina coast.
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of Florida between the Suwannee River and the Ochlockonee River.
- A Hurricane Watch has been raised for areas west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass and south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown on the Florida coast.
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been announced for the Florida Keys stretching West of the Seven Mile Bridge including the Dry Tortugas, as well as for the Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to East Cape Sable and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass.
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been sounded for the Florida Keys north of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge, the Georgia and South Carolina coast from the mouth of the St. Mary’s River to the South Santee River in South Carolina, and the Florida coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach.
