This is a live blog. The 352today team will continue to post updates on the weather threat as it develops this weekend. Check back frequently.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE, 11:05 p.m.: The National Hurricane Center upgraded Debby to a hurricane Sunday evening.
At 11 p.m., the NHC said Hurricane Debbie was located about 65 miles west-southwest of Cedar Key with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
UPDATE, 10:27 p.m. – Skyway Bridge Closed: The Florida Highway Patrol has closed the Skyway Bridge over Tampa due to high winds and bad weather from Tropical Storm Debby.
UPDATE, 5:05 p.m. – NHC BRIEFING: National Hurricane Center (NHC) Deputy Director Jamie Rhome will provide an update on the forecast for Debby around 5:20 p.m. Link to watch it.
At 5 p.m., said Debby was located about 120 miles west of Tampa and 125 miles southwest of Cedar Key with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, which has not changed since the 11 a.m. update.
The biggest threat the meteorologists are warning about is catastrophic flooding.
UPDATE, 4:30 p.m. – SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS: Several schools have cancelled classes for Monday including Alachua and Levy County Public Schools. The University of Florida, College of Central Florida and Santa Fe College have all cancelled classes for Monday.
Check for school cancellations and other closures at the 352today Hurricane Weather Center.
UPDATE, 12:52 p.m. – EVACUATION ORDERS: Alachua County has issued an evacuation ordered for those residing in mobile homes, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and homes that may not survive the storm, along with those living in areas subject to flooding or those in proximity to bodies of water.
The county encourages residents affected to find alternative housing with friends, family or short-term rentals and says shelters should be a last resort. Alachua County is opening three shelters for residents in need.
UPDATE, 12:15 p.m. – STORM INTENSITY: The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Debby’s winds have increased over the last few hours with maximum sustained winds 65 mph.
In the 11 a.m. update, NHC Director Michael Brennan says warned of catastrophic flooding from Debby.
ORIGINAL, 7:39 a.m. – STORM TRACK: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami says Tropical Storm Debby is predicted to become a hurricane as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
The NHC said in an update posted at 5 a.m. Sunday that Debby was located about 195 miles south-southwest of Tampa, and about 255 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key. The storm was moving north-northwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
Meteorologists say the storm will strengthen as it moves over the southeastern Gulf and is expected to be a hurricane before making landfall in the Big Bend region on Monday.
A hurricane warning is in effect for parts of the Big Bend and the Florida Panhandle, while tropical storm warnings are posted for Florida’s West Coast, the southern Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas.
A warning means storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, while a watch means they are possible within 48 hours.
Debby is expected to bring drenching rain and coastal flooding by Sunday night bringing anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of rain and as many as 18 inches in isolated areas.
Officials in Citrus and Levy Counties ordered a mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, while those in Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Taylor counties called for voluntary evacuations. Check the 352today Hurricane Weather Center for a list of shelters opened in those counties and others.
