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Debby strengthens to Category 1 hurricane; Florida landfall hours away

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Updated  August 5, 2024 12:05am EDT
Hurricanes
FOX 35 Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla. - UPDATE: This story will no longer include live updates.  See the latest on Hurricane Debby HERE.

Hurricane Debbie has formed in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to make landfall over Florida's Big Bend region in a matter of hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Debby is already blasting flooding rain, damaging winds and storm surge to Florida ahead of its expected landfall in the Big Bend region. By mid-week, the storm is expected to dump extreme amounts of nearly 2 feet of rain on parts of Georgia and South Carolina.

Hurricane Debby headed toward Florida's Big Bend

Hurricane Debby formed late Sunday night and is on track to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region.

The NHC is forecasting "potentially historic rainfall" across southeast Georgia and South Carolina through Friday, causing widespread flash flooding and life-threatening conditions.

The governors of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have declared a state of emergency ahead of Debby and are urging residents to prepare for the multiple impacts the storm will bring.

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Hurricane Debby: Latest track, path, and cone

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When is Hurricane Debby expected to make landfall? 

11:30 p.m.

Lake County upgraded to a tropical storm WARNING, per National Weather Service in Melbourne. That means tropical storm conditions are expected overnight and into the Monday morning hours, such as heavy rain and 55 mph wind gusts.

11 p.m. National Huricane Center update

Hurricane Debbie has reached sustained winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. update.

Hurricane Debbie was 65 miles west of Cedar Key, Florida, and 100 miles west of Tampa, Florida.

It's expected to strengthen further before making landfall Monday morning over Florida's Big Bend region. 

"On the forecast track, the center will move across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and reach the Florida Big Bend coast Monday morning.  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," the NHC said. It will then gradually weaken as it crosses land. 

Hurricane Debby: Tropical Storm, Hurricane, and Storm Surge Watches and Warnings

Storm Surge

  • Florida coast from the middle of Longboat Key northward to IndianPass including Tampa Bay
  • Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary'sRiver to South Santee River South Carolina

Storm Surge Watch

  • Florida coast from Englewood northward to the middle ofLongboat 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
  • Ponte Vedre Beach to South Santee River South Carolina

8:47 p.m. update

A handful of campers and RVs were flipped over or blown onto their sides at a park in Cocoa, according to Brevard County Fire Rescue. There was one person who was injured, though the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

The National Weather Service in Melbourne said ir was aware of the damage at Sonrise Palm RV Park. It's not clear if the damage was from straight line winds or a tornado. 

Campers blown over in Cocoa by Tropical Storm Debby (Credit: Brevard County Fire Rescue)

8:10 p.m. update

Tornado watch for all of Central Florida extended to 6 a.m. Monday. 

8 p.m. update

Tropical Storm Debbie is continuing to strengthen as it approaches Florida's Big Bend region. In its 8 p.m. update, the National Hurricane Center said Debbie was 100 miles west of Tampa and 90 miles southwest of Cedar Key, Florida. 

It has sustained winds of 70 mph, which is four mph shy of becoming a hurricane. A Category 1 hurricane has sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

6:30 p.m. update

Florida State University and the University of Florida have closed their campuses as Tropical Storm Debby nears Florida's coast. Florida State University said its Tallahassee campus would be closed on Monday, Aug. 5, Florida State University Schools and The Marine Lab at Turkey Point would also be closed. 

The University of Florida has closed its campus and canceled classes for Monday, Aug. 5, which includes all academic and student-related activities. It also include online classes and exams. 

5 p.m.

Tropical Storm Debby is 120 miles from Tampa, Florida and 125 miles from Cedar Key, Florida moving at 12 mph with 65 mph maximum sustained wind gusts. Tropical Storm Debby is forecast to move across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico through Saturday night and reach the Big Bend coast around Monday midday, the National Hurricane Center said. 

2 p.m.

Tropical Storm Debby is currently located about 125 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. Its maximum sustained winds remain at 65 mph. The storm has a minimal central pressure of 992 mb.

Like previous updates, the NHC said Debby is expected to quickly strengthen into a hurricane before its expected landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida. 

12:46 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Lake, Seminole and Orange counties until 1:15 p.m. 

11 a.m.

The storm continues to show rapid intensification on its path to Florida, with winds increasing to 65 mph. NHC forecasters said Debby poses a significant flood threat over the southeastern U.S.

Debby is forecast to become a hurricane by Sunday night before it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast. The storm is expected to weaken on Monday and Tuesday after its moves inland.

Current location: Tropical Storm Debby is located about 160 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. 

10:57 a.m.

A Tornado Watch is in effect for parts of Florida (and Georgia) until 8 p.m.

8 a.m. 

Debby is expected to quickly strengthen before it makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend region. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 mph.

7:30 a.m.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard in preparation ahead of future Hurricane Debby's landfall in Florida. Watch his full news conference below:

5 a.m. 

Tropical Storm Debby is gaining strength and is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane late Sunday night before it makes landfall along the Big Bend region of Florida on Monday morning, according to the NHC. The storm currently has winds of 50 mph as it inches its way slowly into the Gulf of Mexico.

Current location: Tropical Storm Debby is located about 195 miles south-southwest of Tampa, Florida. 

Tropical Storm Debby watches, warnings

Most of Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. According to the NHC, a few tornadoes may occur through Monday morning, primarily in western and northern Florida and (southern Georgia).

See other watches and warnings issued below:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

  • Florida 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

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

  • Florida coast from Bonita Beach northward to the middle of Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

  • Florida coast from the Suwannee River to Indian Pass

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

  • Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

  • 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

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

  • Savannah River to South Santee River South Carolina

How will Tropical Storm Debby impact Florida?

In Central Florida, our primary impacts will be flooding, tropical storm force winds, and tornadoes. Rainfall totals around 4 to 6 inches with the potential of up to 8 inches in areas that experience heavy rain. 

Higher totals will be in Gilchrist, Levy, and Dixie counties. The risk of tornadoes goes up exponentially on Sunday and will remain a threat through Monday.

FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Jessica Dobson said it is vital that you make sure you and your family have a storm safety place ready if you do find yourself under a tornado warning, such as getting to the lowest level in your home, or in the most interior room of your home (like a bathroom or closet) far from any windows and doors. 

Winds will mainly be a threat along the west coast of Florida with gusts possibly up to 80 mph. 

Further inland, closer to Orlando, 45 mph gusts will be possible. 

Live Tracker for Tropical Storm Debby

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NOTE: This is a changing forecast and we will continue to keep you updated with the very latest watches and warnings.