TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Debby grew stronger in the hours before it made landfall near Steinhatchee, located in the Big Bend region of Florida.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds increased to 80 mph, as of the National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. Monday update. It reached hurricane strength overnight.
The storm is about 45 miles northwest of Cedar Key and moving north at 12 mph.
A major flood threat continues across the Gulf coast of Florida. The area from Yankeetown to the Ochlockonee River is expected to receive up to 10 feet of storm surge. The Tampa Bay area will see 3 to 5 feet, if the surge occurs during high tide.
After making landfall, Debby is expected to move slowly across north Florida and south Georgia late Monday and Tuesday. It will be near the Georgia coast by Tuesday night. After that, there is uncertainty about the storm’s exact path.
Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches, with maximum amounts of 18 inches, is forecast across parts of central and northern Florida and southeastern North Carolina through Friday morning.
Watches and Warnings issued:
Storm Surge Warning:
- Coast from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass including Tampa Bay
- Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina
Storm Surge Watch:
- Coast from Englewood northward to the middle of Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor
Hurricane Warning:
- Florida coast from the Yankeetown to Indian Pass
Tropical Storm Warning:
- Florida coast south of Yankeetown to Boca Grande
- Florida coast from west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
- St. Augustine to South Santee River South Carolina