Tropical Storm Debby rapidly strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on its approach to Florida, where it made landfall in the Big Bend region early on Monday.
Tropical Storm Debby strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it approached Florida on Sunday evening, according to the national weather service.
Hurricane Debby is the fourth named storm of what is expected to be a busy 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. following Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris, all of which formed in June.
Hurricane Season this year runs Sat, 1 Jun 2024 – Sat, 30 Nov 2024.
Stay up-to-date with the latest local impact on Hurricane Debby right here, and please be safe.
Hurricane Debby Live Updates:
Refresh this page for all the latest.
12.30 pm
Aquatica Orlando And Island H20 Water Parks Closed Due To Hurricane Debby
Due to the current weather conditions, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Aquatica Orlando Water Park, and Island H20 Water Parks are all closed today due to the severe weather.
12 pm
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Closed Due To Hurricane Debby
Due to severe weather from Hurricane Debby, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is closed today, Monday, August 5.
12 pm
The Orlando Eye Is Closed Today Due To Weather Conditions
Due to the current weather conditions, The Orlando Eye will be temporarily closed today. The attraction will keep guests informed and provideu updates on their website and social channels. For information, reach out to OrlandoGuestServices@MerlinEntertainments.biz for further assistance.
11 am
Weather Update From National Weather Service Melbourne
Hurricane Debby has now weakened to a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Debby will continue to bring gusty winds, instances of moderate to heavy rain, and localized flooding. A tornado cannot be ruled out and a Tornado Watch remains in effect for northern portions of the area until 4 pm.
9.15 am
50 MPH Wind A Possibility in Orlando, Pine Hills, and Kissimmee
A special weather statement has been issued by the National Weather Service in Melbourne for Orlando, Pine Hills, and Kissimmee until 9:45 am. Gusty winds of 50 mph and heavy rainfall is possible.
9.14 am
Tornado Warning Allowed To Expire
The Tornado Warning for Pine Hills FL, Ocoee And Winter Garden has been allowed to expire.
8. 55 am
Tornado Warning Including Pine Hills FL, Ocoee And Winter Garden
A Tornado Warning has been issued for western Orange County near Walt Disney World Resort until 9:15 am. National Weather Service in Melbourne is tracking an area of weak rotation on radar, moving from near Bay Lake to Horizon West.
8.35 am
Orlando Police Urge Drivers To Be Cautious While Driving
With the tropical storm conditions rolling in, Orlando Police say that it's more important than ever to be extra cautious while driving. The roads can be slippery, visibility can be low, and unexpected hazards might pop up. Traffic might be slow in some areas while debris is removed from the streets.
8.30 am
Operational Update From Orlando International Airport
MCO remains open and operational. Inclement weather may lead to delays and cancellations, with the airport asking passengers to check with their airline for any flight updates. For general airport delays, please visit: https://nasstatus.faa.gov.
8 am
LYNX Buses Operating As Scheduled
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority say that transportation services will operate as scheduled unless sustained winds reach 35 mph or there is flooding. Bus operators will pull buses off the road if they need to do so for safety reasons. Be prepared for possible delays and allow extra travel time for your commute.
7.15 am
Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall
Hurricane Debby has made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations and Doppler radar images from Tallahassee indicate that the center of Hurricane Debby has made landfall around 7 am near Steinhatchee, Florida in the Florida Big Bend.
Data from the Hurricane Hunters indicate that the minimum pressure at landfall was around 979 mb (28.91 in) and the maximum winds were estimated to be around 80 mph (130 km/h).
6 am
A Tornado Watch Has Been Issued For Parts Of Florida And Georgia Until 4 pm
A new Tornado Watch has been issued until 4 pm for the following counties in East Central Florida: Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola.
5.10 am
A Flood Advisory Has Been Issued For Portions Of Lake County
The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a Flood Advisory For portions of Lake County until 8 am. Between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional 1-3" possible through 8 am. Impact: Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
5 am
The Latest Update From National Hurricane Center
Hurricane Debby is very near landfall in the Florida Big Bend. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge in portions of Florida and major flooding in the southeastern US.
The National Hurricane Center say that the Cat. 1 hurricane is currently located about 45 miles northwest of Cedar Key and about 70 miles south-southeast of Tallahassee. The storm is moving north-northeastward at approximately 10 mph. The center of the storm will reach the Big Bend coast later Monday morning and will move slowly across northern Florida, into southern Georgia later Monday and Tuesday.
11 pm
Debby Is Now A Category 1 Hurricane
Debby is now a hurricane. The forecast track is relatively unchanged. However, the Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a WARNING for Lake County. Tornado Watch continues for Leesburg, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Melbourne areas.
8.10 pm
A New Tornado Watch Issued For Central Florida until 6 am Monday
A new Tornado Watch has been issues for Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Osceola and Brevard Counties.
7 pm
Stay Alert And Set Weather Alerts
With the potential for a few tornadoes due to Tropical Storm Debby tonight, the National Weather Center is advising that you have your weather alerts loud enough to wake you up if you’re sleeping! It’s also beneficial to have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts. Stay safe & weather aware!
5.15 pm
University of Florida Cancels Classes
Due to Tropical Storm Debby, the UF campus will close and classes are canceled on Monday, August 5. This includes all academic and student-related activities, along with University of Florida Online classes and exams.
The university expects to make an announcement tomorrow, Monday on plans for Tuesday, August 6.
5 pm
Update From The National Hurricane Center
The 5 pm update from the National Hurricane Center places Tropical Storm Debby 120 miles from Tampa, Florida and 125 miles from Cedar Key, Florida moving at 12 mph with 65 mph maximum sustained wind gusts.
Debby is expected to strengthen to a hurricane tonight. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Potentially historic heavy rainfall across southeast Georgia and South Carolina through Friday morning will likely result in areas of catastrophic flooding. Heavy rainfall will likely result in considerable flooding impacts from the Florida Big Bend region through southeast GA and the Coastal Plain of the Carolinas through Friday.
There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along portions of the Gulf Coast of Florida, with 6 to 10 feet of inundation above ground level expected somewhere between Ochlockonee River and Suwannee River on Monday. Residents in the Storm Surge Warning area should follow any advice given by local officials.
Hurricane conditions are expected Monday along portions of the Florida Big Bend region where a Hurricane Warning is in effect, with tropical storm conditions beginning this evening. Tropical storm conditions are expected through Monday farther south within the Tropical Storm Warning along Florida's west coast, including the Tampa Bay area.
Dangerous storm surge and wind impacts are expected along portions of the southeast U.S. coast from northeastern Florida to North Carolina through the middle of the week, and storm surge warnings and tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for portions of these areas.
4 pm
Lake County Opens Shelter
Lake County opened a shelter today at Leesburg Elementary to help those who need a safe place to ride out the storm. The shelter will accept people today, Aug. 4, through deteriorating conditions. It will be able to accommodate general population, residents with special medical needs, and families with pets. For information call the Citizens Information Line (352-253-9999).
3.30 pm
Top Wind Gusts Across Central Florida
The National Weather Service has revealed some of the top wind gusts from across east-central Florida. Many of these observations have occurred as a result of gusty rain bands and embedded storms, associated with Tropical Storm Debby.
3 pm
Lake County Closes Parks
All Lake County Parks facilities will close today at 5 pm. The facilities will reopen when it is safe to do so.
2 pm
Reminder: Tornado Watch Remains In Effect Until 8 pm
A Tornado Watch is currently in effect for Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Ornage, Osceola, and Okeechobee County until 8 pm.
12. 45 pm
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning Is In Effect For Lake, Seminole and Orange Counties Until 1.15 pm.
The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lake, Seminole and Orange counties until 1:15 pm.
12. 30 pm
Flights Delayes and Cancelled at Tampa International Airport
TPA remains open and operational, but the effects of Tropical Storm Debby are impacting air travel across the southeastern U.S. Many flights are experiencing delays.
Tampa International Airport has reported that 106 of the flights scheduled for arrival or departure were canceled, and another 138 were delayed.
The airport is urging travellers to check with your airline for the latest flight information. https://tampaairport.com/airlines
12.30 pm
LYNX Urges Commuters To Allow Extra Travel Time
Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority are urging people to allow extra time for yout commute: "We anticipate heavy rain and wind throughout the region until tomorrow. Please allow yourself extra travel time for your commute. Safe travels."
12.10 pm:
Tropical Storm Debby Weather Update
The US National Weather Service in Melbourne has given a new update on Tropical Storm Debby. As of 12 pm there are no major changes to local impacts, with heavy rainfall leading to flooding and wind gusts to tropical storm force being the primary concerns.
As a reminder, it is always a good idea to have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts! Continue to closely monitor the forecast and stay weather aware today into tonight.
11 am:
A Tornado Watch Is Now In Effect For Portions Of East Central Florida Including Orange And Osceola Until 8 pm
A Tornado Watch is now in effect for portions of east central Florida through 8 pm. This includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Okeechobee, and Volusia counties.
11 am:
Tropical Storm Debby Could Strengthen To A Category 1 Hurricane
As Tropical Storm Debby moves through the Gulf of Mexico slowly this is allowing the system to gain strength to become a hurricane, and could bring a huge amounts of rainfall to the Florida and Georgia over the next few days.
8 am:
The Latest From Orlando International Airport
MCO has issued the following statement: "Our airport is open and operational while we continue to monitor Tropical Storm Debby. Please check with your airline directly in regards to their operations for the most up-to-date flight information."
For general airport delays, visit: https://nasstatus.faa.gov
7.30 am:
Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard Activated
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard ahead of future Hurricane Debby's landfall in Florida.
9 am:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay To Remain Closed Today
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is to remain closed today due to the local impacts of Tropical Storm Debby. The theme park is due to open tomorrow, Monday as normal at 10 am.
6 am:
Tropical Storm Debby Update
Local impacts continue to be gusty winds to tropical storm force and heavy rain leading to a few instances of flooding where repeated rain bands occur. The threat for a few tornadoes has increased through tonight across east central Florida.
5 am:
Tropical Storm Debby Weather Update
Expect increasing squalls from Tropical Storm Debby today, especially in the afternoon. Hazardous marine conditions will exist at the beach and over the local coastal waters. We will see breezy/gusty southeasterly winds 15 to 20 mph sustained with gusts to 25 to 30 mph. Primary storm impacts include brief gusts to 40 to 50 mph, with a few gusts to 55 to 60 mph possible, occasional to frequent lightning strikes, torrential downpours leading to minor or nuisance flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas - especially after repeated rounds of precipitation. Storm motion will be quickly toward the north at 35 to 45 mph.
A Small Craft Advisory exists across all of the local Atlantic waters out to 60 nautical miles. A HIGH risk for numerous, strong, life-threatening rip currents will be present at ALL central Florida Atlantic beaches. Entering the ocean is strongly discouraged!
In addition to strong rip currents, a strong northward flowing longshore current will also be present. A longshore current flows parallel to the beach and can be strong enough to knock you off the sandbar into deep water. Never try to swim directly against currents that occur at the beaches.
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