Weather forecasters have warned the public that Tropical Storm Debby will now likely become at least a Category 1 hurricane and hit Florida — all in less than 24 hours.
This rapidly forming hurricane has already forced many Floridians to either evacuate their town or know where their local shelters are. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also already come out to warn the public to stay safe during this difficult event.
A Life-Threatening Storm Surge
Meteorologists have explained that Tropical Storm Debby is continuing to strengthen in the incredibly warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Thanks to the storm’s rapidity, a life-threatening storm surge will be paired with winds of 75 to 100 miles per hour. Florida will also be hit with large rain showers.
A Hurricane Will Form
Forecasters have also anticipated that Debby will fully form from a tropical storm into a hurricane sometime tonight.
Debby is set to make landfall in Florida on Monday morning or Monday afternoon. Therefore, all of this — the forming of the hurricane plus making landfall — will happen within the next 24 hours.
Florida’s First Hurricane Strike
Experts have further added that Hurricane Debby will be Florida’s first hurricane strike of this 2024 season.
Meteorologists have also sounded the alarm, as they’re concerned that this rapidly forming hurricane could become one of the worst ones on record in Florida.
Florida Gets to Work
Since this news broke, governments and local communities in Florida have quickly gotten to work to ensure their populations will be safe during this particularly dangerous weather event.
Already, Leon County is opening up at least six shelters for residents in local schools.
Evacuations Underway
Meanwhile, parts of Florida have also begun to undergo evacuations.
Counties have ordered people who live in mobile homes to voluntarily evacuate, as these homes can easily be damaged during hurricanes. Officials have also requested those who live in coastal and low-lying areas to evacuate.
DeSantis Warns of Potential Catastrophe
Florida Governor DeSantis has also been working with other Florida officials to prepare for this sudden weather event.
DeSantis has warned the public of a potential catastrophe, saying that “catastrophic rain” could encompass much of north Florida. He has also warned of power outages that could become quite widespread, thanks to the hurricane.
DeSantis Explains the Rapidly Forming Hurricane
DeSantis also warned the public about how the storm could become a hurricane before it hits Florida.
He said, “It’s possible that you could have serious intensification between now and landfall. It could get up to 85, 90, 95 mile an hour sustained winds. That is absolutely possible, particularly in parts of the state like here in Tallahassee, (and) there’s going to be a lot of trees that are going to fall down.”
Communities Work Together
Local communities and counties have also started to work together to prepare the public for this extreme weather event.
Many city and county leaders have held press conferences and town meetings to better warn the public about what they could face in less than 24 hours. Voluntary evacuations have been pushed in many of these counties in Debby’s path.
Preparing for Power Outages
DeSantis stated that power outages will likely be seen once this hurricane hits Florida. However, about 17,000 line workers — from both inside and outside of Florida — are preparing to head to the Sunshine State to help.
DeSantis said, “I just urge all local governments, all utility companies to utilize these resources once the storm passes.”
Biden Approves Florida’s Emergency Declaration
President Joe Biden has approved Florida’s emergency declaration for Tropical Storm — soon to be Hurricane — Debby.
A White House press release explained this decision, saying, “The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.”
Parts of Florida Are Still Recovering
This potential hurricane also comes as parts of Florida in its pathway are still recovering from the storms and tornadoes seen on May 10.
Tallahassee, in particular, is still recovering from this event. Now, these residents will have to deal with a potentially strong and destructive hurricane.
