Parts of Florida were under a tropical storm warning on Friday as a cluster of storms moved over Cuba toward the Gulf of Mexico, threatening to bring heavy rain, gusty winds and the potential for flash flooding.
Known currently as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four, the storm system could become Debby if it organizes itself into an official tropical storm.
The U.S. National Weather Service warned that heavy rains could cause areas of flash flooding across Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas through the weekend.
Florida prepares for potential damage.
With heavy rainfall of up to 12 inches expected over the next seven days, Florida is bracing for the threat of flooding, along with gusty winds and erosion. On Thursday night, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in more than 50 counties, which gives emergency managers the authority to allocate resources to respond to the fallout of the extreme weather.
Just after 11 a.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula, from East Cape Sable to Boca Grande. Other areas of the southern and western coasts of the peninsula, as well as parts of the Florida Keys, were under a tropical storm watch, forecasters said.
The governor’s order covers Orange County and Osceola County, and travel could be disrupted for the throngs of summer visitors who go to Orlando and the theme parks at Universal Studios Florida and Walt Disney World.
Water tables in some areas are already saturated, the governor said, and the incoming rainfall “will cause significant river flooding that may last for several weeks.” The storm could damage “major interstates and roadways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, power grids and other critical infrastructure,” Mr. DeSantis said. It was expected to also cause widespread power outages from downed trees and power lines.
The National Hurricane Center said that an aircraft would investigate the storm on Friday if needed, and it warned officials in Cuba and the Bahamas to monitor its progress.