“Hurricane Debby: Current Status and Impact”

Overview

Hurricane Debby has made landfall along the west coast of Florida near Steinhatchee with winds reaching 80 mph. This landfall occurred on Monday morning, close to the site where Hurricane Idalia struck in August 2023. The National Hurricane Center reports that Debby is now moving north-northeast at 10 mph and is expected to weaken into a tropical storm by early afternoon.

Key Updates

Current Status:

• Landfall Time: Monday morning, 7 a.m. EDT
• Winds: 80 mph
• Movement: North-northeast at 10 mph
• Forecast: Transition to a tropical storm expected as the storm progresses toward Georgia

Impact and Warnings

Power Outages:

• Over 200,000 homes and businesses are without power across Florida.
• Significant outages reported in Dixie and Taylor counties.

Flight Disruptions:

• Charleston International Airport: More than 50 cancellations
• Orlando International Airport: Almost 90 cancellations and over 50 delays
• Tampa International Airport: More than 60 canceled flights

Watches and Warnings:

• Hurricane Warning: Florida coast from Yankeetown to Indian Pass
• Tropical Storm Warning: From Yankeetown to Boca Grande, and various other regions including parts of South Carolina
• Storm Surge Watch: Florida coast from Englewood to Longboat Key
• Storm Surge Warning: Florida coast from Longboat Key to Indian Pass, and parts of Georgia and South Carolina

Expected Conditions

Near Steinhatchee, Florida

• Alerts: Hurricane warning, storm surge warning, flood watch, tornado watch
• Winds: 65-85 mph with gusts up to 95 mph
• Storm Surge: 7-10 feet
• Rainfall: Up to 10-15 inches
• Tornadoes: Possible until 6 a.m. Monday

Tallahassee, Florida

• Alerts: Tropical storm warning, flood watch
• Winds: 10-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, potentially exceeding 50 mph
• Rainfall: 4-8 inches

Jacksonville, Florida

• Alerts: Tropical storm warning, flood watch, tornado watch
• Winds: 15-25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
• Storm Surge: 1-3 feet
• Rainfall: 4-8 inches
• Tornadoes: Possible until 6 a.m. Monday

Savannah, Georgia

• Alerts: Tropical storm warning, flood watch, storm surge warning
• Winds: 30-40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
• Storm Surge: 2-4 feet
• Rainfall: 12-18 inches

Charleston, South Carolina

• Alerts: Tropical storm warning, flood watch, storm surge warning
• Winds: 25-45 mph with gusts up to 45 mph
• Storm Surge: 2-4 feet
• Rainfall: 12-18 inches, potentially up to 30 inches

Important Notes

• Storm Surge: Significant water levels are being reported in Cedar Key, Florida, with around 5.5 feet of storm surge observed.
• Historical Context: The storm’s impact is being closely monitored as it moves along the Southeast coast, with potential for severe flooding similar to previous storms.

Conclusion

As Hurricane Debby continues its path, residents in affected areas should stay updated through local weather channels and be prepared for ongoing severe conditions, including flooding and high winds. Emergency services and utility companies are working to address power outages and ensure safety for those in the storm’s path.