TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the State Guard on Friday in response to the severe weather threat this weekend.
DeSantis directed the Guard to “mobilize whatever number of Florida State Guard members” the director deemed necessary and appropriate.
I've directed @FLSERT to closely monitor the low-pressure system expected to impact the gulf coast this weekend.
I am also activating the @FLStateGuard to ensure we are prepared to respond to any impacts, including flooding, strong wind gusts & isolated tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/tIZVBCelNS
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 15, 2023
Severe Weather Triple Threat
A low-pressure system is producing a triple threat this weekend – heavy rainfall that leads to flooding, damaging winds and the potential for tornadoes.
The latest update from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has puts the Florida Peninsula under a level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat. The SPC says there’s a slight risk of severe thunderstorms last Saturday evening through Saturday night across much of the central and southern Florida Peninsula. The SPC says a few storms pose a risk for tornadoes and damaging wind gusts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) expects the storm system to dump 4 to 6 inches of rain, causing localized flooding. The NWS says a coastal flood watch is in effect Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon for the following counties in the 352:
- Citrus
- Hernando
- Levy
The NWS says flooding may close roads and reminds you to not drive around barricades or through floodwater. The NWS also says people who live in or have businesses in low-lying areas should take precautions to protect flood-prone property.
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OCALA FORECAST
Here’s your day-by-day outlook from the NWS:
Saturday: Showers, mainly after noon. High near 70. Breezy, with an east wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 61. Windy, with an east wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Windy, with a south wind 18 to 22 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Breezy, with a west wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.