Article first published: Saturday, August 3, 2024, 5am ET
Article last updated: Saturday, August 3, 2024, 11am ET
According to the National Hurricane Center warning at 11 a.m. Saturday, the tropical depression is now impacting Cuba
The tropical depression is 40 miles southeast of Havana, Cuba, and 125 miles south of Key West, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. It is moving 15 mph to the west-northwest. The tropical depression is expected to strengthen.
YESTERDAY (Friday):
Yesterday (Friday), at 11am, the National Hurricane Center published the first warning for a potential tropical cyclone. The tropical depression left Cuba and headed towards the Caribbean Sea. The system became a tropical depression with sustained winds of 35 mph after intensifying into a potential tropical cyclone
Parts of Florida were placed under a tropical storm warning and a tropical storm watch by meteorologists.
CHANGES WITH THIS NOTICE:
A hurricane warning is now in effect for the Florida coast west of the Aucilla River to Indian Pass.
A storm surge warning is in effect for coastal Florida from Aripeka to the mouth of the Aucilla River.
A Storm Surge Watch is now in effect for coastal Florida west from the mouth of the Aucilla River to Indian Pass.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN FORCE:
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
– Indian Pass to Yankeetown
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
– The Dry Tortugas
– West coast of the Florida peninsula, from Yankeetown south to East Cape Sable
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
– Florida Keys south of the Channel 5 bridge. A storm surge warning is in effect for
* Aripeka northward to the Aucilla River A storm surge warning is in effect for:
– Bonita Beach north to Aripeka, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
– West of the Aucilla River to Indian Pass
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A warning is typically issued 48 hours before the first predicted occurrence of tropical storm-force winds, conditions that make outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
A storm warning means there is a danger of life-threatening flooding due to rising water moving inland from the coast over the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a representation of areas at risk, see the National Weather Service’s storm warning/watch chart, available at hurricanes.gov.
This is a life-threatening situation. People located in these areas must take all necessary measures to protect lives and property from rising water and the potential for other hazardous conditions.
Immediately follow evacuation instructions and other instructions from local authorities.
A storm warning means there is a possibility of life-threatening flooding due to rising water moving inland from the coast in the indicated locations over the next 48 hours. For a representation of areas at risk, see the National Weather Service’s storm warning/watch chart, available at hurricanes.gov.
Interests in other parts of Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system. Additional warnings and surveillance will likely be needed for a portion of this area later today.
HAZARDS AFFECTING THE EARTH:
WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watching area Sunday night, with tropical storm conditions possible early Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward over warning areas, beginning later today and continuing through Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the viewing area in the Florida Keys later today or tonight, and in the Florida Panhandle late Sunday. Tropical storm force wind gusts are currently occurring in the Florida Keys.
STORM OUTBREAK: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the coast. Water may reach the following heights above the ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the wave peak occurs at the time of high tide…
Aripeka, FL to Aucilla River, FL…3-5 feet Aucilla River, FL to Indian Pass, FL…2-4 feet Bonita Beach, FL to Aripeka, FL…2-4 feet Tampa Bay.. 0.2-4 feet Charlotte Harbor…2-4 feet For a complete representation of areas at risk of storm flooding,
See the National Weather Service’s storm surge chart,
Available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? PicoSurge.
RAIN: Tropical Depression Four is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with maximum rainfall totals of up to 15 inches, in parts of Florida and along the southeastern U.S. coast this weekend through Thursday morning . These rainfall will likely result in considerable flash and urban flooding areas locally, with river flooding expected.
For Cuba, 1 to 2 inches of rain will be possible, with higher localized amounts, until today. This may result in isolated or scattered areas of flooding.
For a complete description of the forecast rainfall and flash flooding associated with Tropical Depression Four, see the National Weather Service’s storm total rainfall chart, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Chuvapf
TORNADOS: One or two tornadoes are possible in the Florida Keys and western Florida Peninsula tonight through Sunday morning.
SURF: Waves generated by the depression are expected to affect much of the Florida Gulf Coast tonight through Monday and along the southeastern U.S. coast early next week. These waves will likely cause life-threatening waves and rip current conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center
This article was generated by South Carolina Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to models created by journalists in the newsroom. We’re experimenting with this and other new ways to provide more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.
