FEMA Reports Tropical Depression Near Florida Has “High Chance of Further Development” in New Warning

FEMA has issued a warning about the tropical storm heading toward Florida this weekend.

It’s important to be aware of the possibility of severe weather when traveling to Florida during hurricane season. In fact, residents and visitors are now being urged to prepare for a potential tropical depression expected to hit the state this weekend.

On Thursday, Florida declared a state of emergency for 54 counties that the coming storm could most seriously impact. Now, FEMA has also issued a warning to the state’s residents and visitors.

The warning states, “FEMA is monitoring closely a potential tropical depression over the Straits of Florida or eastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Peninsula. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the Florida Keys and for the west coast of the Florida peninsula. This system has a high chance of further development. The National Hurricane Center predicts this system is likely to bring flash flooding to areas across Florida through the weekend.”

FEMA also provided the following tips for staying safe during the coming storm:

• Be prepared for the hazards the storm may bring. This storm may bring rainfall, coastal and flash flooding, and wind far from the center track of the storm along the coast of Florida. As the storm travels inland, it may bring heavy rainfall to areas in Florida and along the southeast coast from Georgia to North Carolina into next week.
• Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when flooding starts. Visit.Ready.gov or Listo.gov for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after floods.
• Stay safe during flooding. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Remember, just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and never drive around barricades, local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Be in the know to evacuate safely. Evacuate immediately, if told to do so. To plan for evacuation, it’s important to know your risks, know what to bring, know when and where to go and know trusted information sources.
• Keep important documents safe. Having your financial and medical records and important contact information will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly. Keep important documents in a waterproof container on a high shelf or upper level of your home. Create password-protected digital copies and move valuables to higher levels.

Tropical Depression Four — as it is currently being called — is expected to organize tonight as it enters the Gulf of Mexico and become Tropical Storm Debby. The storm’s track has shifted west, which is better news for Central Florida, but means a stronger and more direct hit is now likely for the Florida Panhandle and North Florida.

If you will be in Florida in the coming days, be prepared for the potential of severe weather and stay up-to-date on the latest warnings for your area.

Ahead of the storm, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that it will close early today at 7PM.

Visit the link below to learn about our Weather-or-Not Assurance policy:

☔️ https://t.co/67hwKaC18v pic.twitter.com/gmeqyn7NR7

— Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (@BuschGardens) August 3, 2024

Visit Florida has also activated its Expedia Emergency Accommodations Portal for Florida visitors looking for hotels.

VISIT FLORIDA has activated Expedia’s Emergency Accommodations Portal. Visitors and Florida residents can access real-time info on hotel availability across Florida. Stay safe, stay informed. https://t.co/983XlXtBMu pic.twitter.com/KNzNUHstdZ

— FL Tourism Industry (@FloridaTourism) August 3, 2024

We’ll continue to monitor the storm’s progress and report back with any updates.

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