Forecasters Warn Tropical Storm Debby Will Become a Hurricane and Hit Florida 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.

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.

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.

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.

Already, Leon County is opening up at least six shelters for residents in local schools.

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 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.

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.”

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.

DeSantis said, “I just urge all local governments, all utility companies to utilize these resources once the storm passes.”

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.”

Tallahassee, in particular, is still recovering from this event. Now, these residents will have to deal with a potentially strong and destructive hurricane.