According to weather experts, Tropical Cyclone 4 is expected to intensify into Tropical Storm Debby in the coming weekend. The storm is likely to hit Western Florida before moving towards south Georgia.
Residents in the projected areas are being advised by FEMA to make preparations in advance for any potential severe weather or flooding.
According to a recent FEMA release, the system is expected to head north, potentially causing flooding and other hazardous conditions in parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Residents in the affected areas should anticipate heavy rainfall over the course of the upcoming weekend and into the following week.
Keep tabs on every storm in progress.
If you are in the path of the storm, FEMA recommends the following tips to help keep you safe.
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- 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.
Timeline for Tropical Cyclone in Gulf of Mexico
According to recent weather models, Tropical Cyclone 4 is projected to intensify and transform into Tropical Storm Debbie as it moves towards the Gulf. The storm is expected to hit the eastern Florida panhandle by Sunday night, followed by a move across south Georgia from late Sunday through Tuesday morning. After that, it’s predicted to continue its journey along the east coast.