1 month ago
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Tropical Storm Debby
intensified rapidly on Sunday as it approached
Florida's Gulf Coast
, with meteorologists warning that it could soon escalate to hurricane strength. The storm, churning through the unusually warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, poses a significant threat of life-threatening storm surge and unprecedented flooding.
According to the
National Hurricane Center
(NHC), Debby is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday night and make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region around midday Monday.
The NHC has issued dire warnings of a storm surge reaching six to ten feet (1.8 to 3.0 meters) above ground level in some areas, which could result in severe inundation.
Governor Ron DeSantis, during an emergency briefing, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "We are looking at potentially really, really significant flooding, particularly in north-central Florida," he said. He urged residents to complete their final preparations immediately as the storm's impact becomes imminent.
As of 5:00 pm EDT, Debby was approximately 120 miles (190 kilometers) west of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and a northward movement of 12 miles per hour. The storm's intensification is expected to continue, heightening concerns about its potential impact.
In anticipation of Debby’s arrival, mandatory evacuations were ordered late Saturday for parts of Citrus County. Additionally, voluntary evacuation orders were issued for eight other counties. Local authorities are stressing the importance of heeding these orders. "Take the situation seriously," advised Paul Hasenmeier, Hernando County fire chief and public safety director. "We know the water's going to come up as the storm passes."
The NHC forecasts that Debby could bring between six to twelve inches of rain to various parts of Florida, with coastal Georgia and South Carolina potentially receiving 20 to 30 inches by the end of the week. The prospect of "potentially historic heavy rainfall" raises fears of severe flash flooding, particularly in areas unaccustomed to such conditions.
Governors of both Georgia and South Carolina have declared states of emergency as a precautionary measure. President Joe Biden has also approved an emergency declaration for Florida, facilitating expedited federal aid to support the storm response.
DeSantis has activated the state's National Guard, positioning 3,000 service members on standby to assist with emergency operations and recovery efforts. The coordinated response aims to mitigate the impact of what could be a historic weather event.
Residents along the Gulf Coast and the southeastern US are urged to remain vigilant and follow local advisories as Tropical Storm Debby continues its perilous path.
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