Bonita Beach, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and all of Lee County are under a storm surge watch as Tropical Depression Four (expected to become Tropical Storm Debby) heads toward the Gulf of Mexico near Southwest Florida, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Coastal Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Naples, Lee and Collier County remain under a tropical storm warning.
To become a tropical storm, sustained winds must reach 39 mph.
The hurricane center’s 11 a.m. advisory shows tropical storm force winds predicted to arrive along the coast of Southwest Florida after 8 p.m. tonight and into the overnight hours.
The hurricane center warned that surge in Lee County could reach 2 to 4 feet if peak surge happens at the time of high tide.
A hurricane watch watch was issued for a portion of north Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The depression is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby later today or tonight and to approach hurricane strength before making landfall.
➤ Lee County impact: Tropical storm could bring several inches of rain to Southwest Florida
➤ Spaghetti models for Tropical Depression Four
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday declared a state of emergency Thursday for 54 counties. Seven more counties were added late Friday, putting 61 of Florida’s 67 counties under a state of emergency.
Where is Tropical Depression Four in relation to Lee County, Florida?
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Location: 40 miles southeast of Havana, Cuba; 125 miles south of Key West
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Maximum sustained winds: 35 mph
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Movement: west-northwest at 15 mph
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Next advisory: 2 p.m. Aug. 3
Tropical Depression Four expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby
At 11 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Four was located near latitude 22.8 North, longitude 82.0 West, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph. A turn toward the northwest is forecast today, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastward motion Sunday night and Monday.
➤ How could tropical storm affect your weekend plans?
On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move across western Cuba this morning, and then move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and Sunday, reaching the Florida Gulf coast late Sunday or Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are now near 35 mph with higher gusts.
Slow strengthening is expected today and tonight, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm tonight. A faster rate of strengthening is expected Sunday through Monday, and the system could be near hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf coast.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb.
Spaghetti models: Latest forecasts on where Tropical Depression Four could make Florida landfall
Hurricane, tropical storm watches and warnings issued for Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Potential impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone Four
WINDS: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch are in the Florida Keys later today or tonight. Tropical sotrm conditions are expected to spread northward over the warning areas beginning later today and continuing through Sunday. Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area by Sunday night with tropical storm conditions possible earlier on Sunday.
STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
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Bonita Beach, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL…2-4 feet
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Tampa Bay…2-4 feet
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Charlotte Harbor…2-4 feet
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Chassahowitzka, FL to Aucilla River, FL…3-5 feet
RAINFALL: Tropical Depression Four is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with maximum rainfall totals up to 15 inches, across portions of Florida and along the Southeast U.S. coast this weekend through Thursday morning. This rainfall will likely result in areas of locally considerable flash and urban flooding, with river flooding expected. For Cuba, rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with localized higher amounts, will be possible through today. This may result in isolated to scattered areas of flooding.
For Cuba, rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with localized higher amounts, will be possible through today. This may result in isolated to scattered areas of flooding.
TORNADOES: A tornado or two is possible across the Florida Keys and the western Florida Peninsula tonight through Sunday morning.
SURF: Swells generated by the depression are expected to affect much of the Gulf coast of Florida tonight through Monday and along the Southeast U.S. coast early next week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
Key messages on what Florida can expect from tropical cyclone
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Heavy rainfall may result in locally considerable flash and urban flooding across portions of Florida and the coastal areas of the Southeast U.S. this weekend through Wednesday. Isolated river flooding will also be possible.
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A Hurricane Watch has been issued for portions of west-central Florida and the Big Bend region, where hurricane conditions are possible late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are expected farther south along Florida’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay area, and across the Dry Tortugas where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect.
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There is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from storm surge along portions of the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, where a Storm Surge Watch is in effect.
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Impacts from storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rains are possible elsewhere in Florida and along the southeast coast of the United States from Georgia to North Carolina through the middle of next week, and interests in those areas should continue to monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today.
Florida Gov. DeSantis issues state of emergency for 61 counties
Florida is monitoring Invest 97L in the Atlantic, which is expected to strengthen and potentially make landfall as early as this weekend. It will be slow-moving and bring lots of rain that could cause significant flooding.
I encourage all residents to prepare for the storm and…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 1, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Thursday for 54 counties in preparation for the potential landfall of a storm that could become the first “significant threat” to the state.
Friday night, he added another seven counties. That brings 61 of the state’s 67 counties under a state of emergency.
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
What’s next?
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Contributing: Cindy McCurry-Ross
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers, Lee County tropics Tropical Storm Debby watches, warnings
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