Debby Expected to become a Hurricane Tonight

(Miami, FL) -- The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Debby is expected to strengthen rapidly before making landfall in the Florida Panhandle. It is now expected to become a hurricane tonight before it reaches the coast on Monday.

A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect along Florida's Big Bend. A storm surge warning is also in effect. Debby is moving toward the north near 12 mph (19 km/h). A gradual decrease in forward speed with a turn toward the northeast and east is expected on Monday and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center will move across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico through tonight and reach the Florida Big Bend coast around midday Monday. Debby is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia on Monday and Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Florida 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

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...

* Florida coast from Bonita Beach northward to the middle of

Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast from the Suwannee River to Indian Pass

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Bonita Beach

* Florida coast from west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

* Ponte Vedre Beach to the Savannah River

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* Savannah River to South Santee River South Carolina