Tropical Storm Debby forms in Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay area under Tropical Storm Warning

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Debby has strengthened as the storm makes its way toward Florida, the National Hurricane Center announced Saturday.

Forecasters now expect Debby to reach Category 1 hurricane strength as it reaches the Big Bend region of Florida.

As of 11 p.m., Tropical Storm Debby is about 260 miles south-southwest of Tampa. The storm is moving northwest at 14 mph and has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the NHC said.

The Air Force Reserve and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters are heading to Florida to investigate the tropical storm as squalls or strong winds spread across the Florida Keys and Florida Peninsula.

Hurricane, Tropical Storm advisories in effect:

Hurricane Warning:

• The Florida Gulf coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee River

Hurricane Watch:

• Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass
• Florida coast east of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown

Tropical Storm Warning:

• The Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge including the Dry Tortugas
• Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to East Cape Sable
• Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass

Tropical Storm Watch:

• The Florida Keys north of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge
• The Florida coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

Storm Surge Warning:

• Florida coast from Aripeka northward to Indian Pass

Storm Surge Watch:

• Bonita Beach northward to Aripeka, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

The National Weather Service has issued Storm Surge Warnings and Tropical Storm Warnings for coastal Citrus and coastal Hernando counties.

A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for coastal Charlotte, coastal Hillsborough, coastal Lee, coastal Manatee, coastal Pasco, coastal Sarasota, and Pinellas counties.

A Tropical Storm warning is in effect for inland Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco Sarasota, and Sumter counties.

Additionally, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for DeSoto, Hardee, inland Charlotte, Lee and Polk counties.

What is a Hurricane Warning?

“A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous,” the NHC said.

As for a Tropical Storm Warning, this means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

How will Tampa Bay be impacted?

The latest track shows the cone just north of the Tampa Bay area, but heavy rain, flooding, and storm surge are expected.

NHC models show the depression will start impacting the area beginning late Saturday night, into early Sunday morning. The depression is anticipated to hit the area around 8 a.m. on Sunday.

“Tropical Depression Four will become Tropical Storm Debby later today,” WFLA’s Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said. “It won’t rain all day today, but it will be breezy and a couple of outer northern rain bands will pass through. Tropical steady rain arrives tonight and sticks around through Sunday. Winds will be gusty and isolated tornado cannot be ruled out while the system passes just to our west in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“The biggest threat to the Tampa Bay area will be coastal and inland flooding. Coastal flooding will be possible Sunday with an onshore wind and 2-4 feet of storm surge is possible,” she added. “Inland flooding is possible with 4-8 inches of rain expected through Monday morning.”

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