Debby Expected To Reach Hurricane Strength Before Landfall

(Tampa, FL) -- Tropical Storm Debby is expected to intensify into a category one hurricane when it makes landfall. The National Hurricane Center says the storm is expected to hit the coast of Florida by Sunday night or early Monday. Debby currently has sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. Forecasters say the system will dump heavy rainfall and there will likely be flash flooding to coastal areas. Meanwhile, Florida is under a state of emergency as the storm approaches.

Debby is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). A turn toward the north is expected on Sunday, followed by a slower motion toward the northeast on Monday and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night and reach the Florida Big Bend coast Monday morning. The center is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia Monday and Tuesday.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast from Aripeka northward to Indian Pass

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...

* Florida coast from Bonita Beach northward to Aripeka, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee River

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass

* Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* The Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge including the Dry Tortugas

* Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to East Cape Sable

* Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* The Florida Keys north of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge

* Florida coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach


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