Tropical wave could target Florida by weekend

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (NSF) - A tropical disturbance currently in the Caribbean near Puerto Rico could affect Florida this weekend. Currently known as ‘Invest 99-L’, the storm is expected to gain the name Hermine soon.

The current northwesterly track of the low pressure system places the storm near South Florida by Sunday.

Since no hurricanes have hit the state in more than a decade, there is a growing concern among severe weather experts that complacency has set in among many Floridians.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Parks Camp says now is the time for residents of the state to make sure they have a plan in place, in case the storm strengthens.

“They want to be updating themselves on their evacuation plans, if they are in an evacuation zone," said Parks Camp, with the National Weather Service.  "They want to check their hurricane kits, to make sure those are well stocked, and just check your plan and make sure you are ready to move if you need to take action.”

Florida has not been impacted by a hurricane since Wilma made landfall in Collier County during the record-setting 2005 season. There were 27 named storms that year, and four hurricanes hit Florida.

In the past 11 years, the Sunshine State's population has grown by more than two million residents, with many coming from places that are not hurricane prone.

Information taken from The News Service of Florida.