WTUS82 KMFL 032112 HLSMFL FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-040515- Tropical Storm Debby Local Statement Advisory Number 6 National Weather Service Miami FL AL042024 512 PM EDT Sat Aug 3 2024 This product covers South Florida **DEPRESSION BECOMES TROPICAL STORM DEBBY OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Collier County and Mainland Monroe * STORM INFORMATION: - About 230 miles southwest of Miami FL or about 180 miles south-southwest of Naples FL - 23.9N 83.2W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 15 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Debby is northwest of Cuba this evening. Debby is forecast to move north-northwestward across the straits of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico tonight through Sunday morning. The following are the primary hazards of concern with Tropical Storm Debby: * Rainfall - The majority of the rainfall associated with the system is forecast to fall tonight through Sunday. Rainfall will range between 2 to 4 inches across most of the area, with locally higher amounts in excess of 6 inches possible and the highest amounts focused over Southwest Florida. A Flood Watch is in effect for southern Florida. * Wind - The highest probabilities for sustained tropical storm force winds will be along the Gulf coast of Southwest Florida, including Collier and mainland Monroe Counties, and adjacent Gulf waters. All of South Florida could see strong winds gusts with squalls through Sunday. * Coastal Flooding/Surge - Higher than usual tides due to the combination of surge from Debby and the upcoming new moon could lead to coastal flooding of 1 to 3 feet along coastal Collier and mainland Monroe Counties this evening through Sunday. Other vulnerable coastal areas of southern Florida could also experience minor coastal flooding, especially around the times of high tide. * Tornado - A tornado or two is possible this evening through Sunday morning, mainly in Southwest Florida. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Ditches and canals may quickly become swollen with swift currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the remainder of southern Florida. * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across coastal Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across South Florida. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Miami FL around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$ JS