Tropical Storm Debby has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast, with maximum winds of 75 mph. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 61 counties and mobilized 3,000 National Guard members to assist with storm response. The hurricane is expected to bring a storm surge of 2 to 10 feet and heavy rain to parts of Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. Evacuation orders are in effect in several Florida counties, and high-water rescues are underway due to flooding. The University of South Florida and the University of Florida have announced closures. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in Florida is urging extreme caution for residents due to heavy rainfall. DeSantis compared Debby’s path to last year’s Hurricane Idalia, which caused significant damage in north Florida. While Debby won’t have winds as strong as Idalia’s, it will bring more moisture. At least three deaths were attributed to Idalia, leaving communities without power and residents swimming out of their windows to escape flooding. Debby is expected to weaken after making landfall and moving inland across northern Florida and southern Georgia.
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Debby upgraded to Category 1 hurricane, on track to hit Florida coast
