Hurricane Debby Nearing Landfall In Florida's Big Bend

Hurricane Debby became a Category 1 storm at the 11 p.m. update last night.

As of 5 a.m., it is very near landfall in Florida's Big Bend region and expected to bring 'life-threatening' storm surge in portions of Florida and major flooding in the Southeastern United States.

SUMMARY OF 5:00 AM EDT INFORMATION

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LOCATION...29.5N 83.7W

ABOUT 45 MI...75 KM NW OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA

ABOUT 70 MI...115 KM SSE OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 15 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...979 MB...28.91 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None

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 Englewood northward to the middle of

Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast from the Yankeetown to Indian Pass

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* 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

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-

threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

Interests elsewhere along the southeastern coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

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At 500 AM EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Debby was located near latitude 29.5 North, longitude 83.7 West. Debby is moving toward the north-northeast near 12 mph (19 km/h). A gradual decrease in forward speed with a turn toward the northeast and east is expected later today and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center will reach the Florida Big Bend coast later this morning.

Debby is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia late today and Tuesday, and be near the Georgia coast by Tuesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. Weakening is expected after Debby moves inland.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the Air Force Hurricane Hunters is 979 mb (28.91 inches).