Tropical Storm Debby will likely strengthen quickly before making landfall in Florida

A front that moved north past Cuba and became Tropical Storm Debby on Saturday as it gained strength is likely to record hurricane-force winds and severe flooding before reaching Florida’s southern Gulf Coast, they said. meteorologists.

Since Friday, the front has evolved from a potential tropical cyclone to a tropical depression and continues to draw strength from the warm tropical waters.

As of Sunday morning, the center of the storm was about 130 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is expected to strengthen rapidly before reaching the Big Bend region, posing a “life-threatening storm surge flooding hazard along portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast from Aripeka to Indian Pass.”

A storm surge warning was issued Sunday from mid-Longboat Key to Aripeka, Florida, including Tampa Bay.

“Hurricane conditions are expected Monday in parts of Florida’s Big Bend region, where a hurricane warning is in effect, with tropical storm conditions beginning this evening,” the center said in an update Sunday.

In fact, forecast cones at the center of the hurricane show the storm approaching the coast Monday morningapproximately from Apalachee Bay to Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve.

Debby is the fourth named storm of the North Atlantic hurricane season.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Sunday morning that he has activated 3,000 members of the state’s National Guard to help first responders. The governor warned of power outages, dangerous debris and flooded roads as Floridians braced for the storm.

“There will be potential for flooding not just in the next two days, but for many days after,” DeSantis said. “Then be prepared for that.”

Franklin County, located along the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida panhandle, issued an evacuation order Sunday morning for its flood-prone areas.

According to the hurricane center, Debby is expected to produce up to 18 inches of rain in parts of northern Florida and up to 30 inches in parts of southeast Georgia and South Carolina by Friday morning.

DeSantis noted that the storm was on a “similar path” to Hurricane Idalia, which wreaked havoc on Florida’s coastal communities last year, and urged residents to follow local guidance on evacuations and sheltering in place.

Tampa International Airport remains open and operational, but according to WFLAcanceled 65 flights until 10:30 am on Sunday.