Note: This story has been archived. For the latest on Hurricane Debby, click here.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Debby officially strengthened into a hurricane as it approached the northeastern Gulf Coast of Florida on Sunday night, the National Hurricane Center said.
In an 11 p.m. update, the NHC said the storm is about 100 miles west-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. A major flood threat is looming over the state.
According to the NHC, the center of Hurricane Debby will move across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday night before reaching the Florida Big Bend coast on Monday morning. Forecasters anticipate the storm make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane.
“Debby has now strengthened to a hurricane with a maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It continues to move to the north at 12 mph and is expected to make landfall Monday morning in the Big Bend region of Florida to the west of St. Marks as at least a Category 1 storm,” Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Eric Stone said.
“Rain bands and wind will continue in the Tampa Bay area through Monday and storm surge will be an issue late in the day Monday as tides remain high. Wind and rain will subside Tuesday and so will the coastal flooding threat as Debby moves well north of our area, but could bring 1 to 2 feet of rain to parts of the southeast through Friday,” he added.
Debby is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia Monday and Tuesday, and be near the Georgia coast by Tuesday night.
Additional strengthening is likely before Debby reaches the Big Bend coast, and weakening is expected on Monday and Tuesday after the hurricane moves inland.
Hillsborough County is currently under a Tornado Watch and Storm Surge watch. Florida’s Big Bend is bracing for heavy rainfall and flooding and is under a storm surge warning.
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 Englewood northward to the middle of Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor
Hurricane Warning:
- Florida coast from the Yankeetown to Indian Pass
Tropical Storm Warning:
- Florida coast south of Yankeetown to Boca Grande
- Florida coast from west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
- St. Augustine to South Santee River South Carolina