Hurricane Debby threatens Florida with ‘life-threatening’ storm surge

TAMPA (AA): Debby strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, now boasting 75 mph (120kmph) winds as it moves north at 12 mph (19kmph) towards Florida’s Big Bend region, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced late Sunday.

With maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, the storm is currently located about 100 miles (161 kilometers) west-northwest of Tampa, Florida, the center said.

It formed on Saturday and became the fourth named storm of the season.

Debby, moving north at 12 mph, has hurricane-force winds up to 45 miles from its center and tropical storm-force winds extending 140 miles outward, reported by USA Today.

“This potentially historic rainfall may result in areas of catastrophic flooding,” warned Richard Pasch, a senior hurricane specialist with the NHC, emphasizing the “life-threatening” nature of the situation. Rainfall totals could reach up to 30 inches in parts of the Southeast by the end of the week.

Floridians are preparing for the state’s first hurricane of the year amid predictions of a severe hurricane season. Mandatory evacuations are in place in several counties, and Leon County has opened six school shelters in Tallahassee.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard to support humanitarian assistance and search and rescue missions.

He cautioned that hazards such as strong winds, storm surge, and tornadoes could occur even before landfall and outside the forecasted “cone.” Sustained winds could reach up to 95 mph.

In response to the impending hurricane, US President Joe Biden declared an emergency across Florida, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts aimed at alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency.