TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Debby is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday night before making landfall in the Florida Big Bend area on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In a 5 p.m. update, the NHC said the storm is about 120 miles west of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. A major flood threat is looming over the state.
Forecasters anticipate the storm to become Category 1 hurricane strength as it makes landfall in the Panhandle around St. Marks.
As the storm moves north, with a gradual turn to the right along the west coast, heavy winds and rainfall are to be expected. The lower Florida Keys and Southwest Florida are already being hit with the outer rainbands of the storm.
The Tampa Bay area is currently under a storm surge watch and rain is expected Sunday afternoon. Florida’s Big Bend is bracing for heavy rainfall and flooding and is under a storm surge warning.
Forecasters said Debby’s center will move across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night and reach the Florida Big Bend coast around midday Monday. Debby is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia on Monday and Tuesday, the NHC said.
The track shows a rain potential of 6 to 12 inches, with a maximum potential of 18 inches through Thursday for Florida.
Watches and Warnings issued:
Storm Surge Warning:
- Coast from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass. including Tampa Bay
- Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina
Storm Surge Watch:
- Coast from Bonita Beach northward to the middle of Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor
Hurricane Warning:
- Florida coast from the Suwannee River to Indian Pass
Hurricane Watch:
- Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown
Tropical Storm Warning:
- Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Bonita Beach
- Florida coast from west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
- Ponte Vedre Beach to the Savannah River
Tropical Storm Watch:
- Savannah River to South Santee River South Carolina