WTUS82 KMLB 040921 HLSMLB FLZ041-044>046-053-058-141-144-154-159-164-247-254-259-264-347-447-547-647-747-041700- Tropical Storm Debby Local Statement Advisory Number 8 National Weather Service Melbourne FL AL042024 521 AM EDT Sun Aug 4 2024 This product covers East Central Florida **INCREASING POTENTIAL FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN BANDS FROM DEBBY TODAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Lake and Southern Lake * STORM INFORMATION: - About 260 miles south-southwest of Leesburg FL - 25.5N 84.0W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Debby is located west of Naples, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico this morning. It is forecast to move northward today while strengthening. A slower northeastward motion should begin tonight into Monday as it approaches the Big Bend of Florida. Debby is now forecast to become a category 1 hurricane as it approaches the Florida Big Bend area Monday morning. Outer rain bands with embedded lightning will continue to move through east central Florida through today and Monday. Multiple rounds of rainfall are expected, especially as the system makes its closest approach this afternoon and tonight. Locally higher rainfall totals will result from rain bands repeatedly moving over the same locations. Generally, 2 to 4 inches of total rainfall are forecast areawide with locally higher amounts of up to 6 inches possible. These rainfall amounts, along with instances of higher rainfall rates, will be capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban areas. Ponding of water on roadways may also lead to hazardous driving conditions. Southeast winds will increase to 15 to 25 mph and become gusty across east central Florida today. Winds will remain gusty tonight and Monday as winds slowly turn more south to southwest. Rain bands and squalls associated with Debby will bring strong wind gusts up to 45 to 50 mph at times across east central Florida through tonight. There is also a marginal risk for severe wind gusts with stronger storms today. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Lake County for the potential of tropical storm force winds through Monday morning. In addition to strong wind gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible through tonight as the system moves northward. Do not let your guard down, especially in locations east of the current Tropical Storm Watch. Impacts from this tropical cyclone will be experienced far from the center of the storm. Now is the time to ensure your hurricane supply kit is stocked and your safety plan is in place. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and your National Weather Service office in Melbourne, Florida. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across East Central Florida. Potential impacts 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. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across East Central Florida. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - 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. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across East Central Florida. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * 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. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm, especially today and tonight. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly. * 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 Melbourne FL around 1130 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$ Heil