PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, and he mobilized the National Guard.
The anticipated effect of the Gulf of Mexico’s warm waters prompted a hurricane watch to be in effect for Florida’s Big Bend region.
The National Hurricane Center expects weather conditions to worsen from the Keys, up Central Florida, and into the western Panhandle.
“It will be slow-moving and bring lots of rain that could cause significant flooding,” DeSantis wrote on X. “I encourage all residents to prepare.”
Hurricane specialist: Tropical depression forms, hurricane watches hoisted for Florida’s Big Bend
Related coverage: Tropical storm watch is in effect for lower and middle Florida Keys
In South Florida, the system is causing on-and-off rain bands that will affect coastal water, so Saturday is not a good beach day. There was a high surf advisory in effect for Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Monroe County was under a tropical storm warning affecting mostly Flamingo, Cape Sable, and Loop Road. Officials asked residents to plan for hazardous wind of tropical storm force and to expect hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
Related coverage: Coastal Miami-Dade under high-surf advisory, flood watch, risk of rip currents
A flood watch was in effect in Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties. There is also a coastal flood watch in the Florida Keys.
Localized storm surge remains possible with the potential for up to 2 feet above ground within surge-prone areas. The window of concern is from Saturday evening to early Monday morning.
The forecast cone shows you the probable forecast track of ONLY the center of the storm!
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) August 3, 2024
Hurricanes & tropical storms bring hazards that affect large areas of the state far before & after a storm makes landfall.
Have multiple ways to receive life saving emergency alerts &… pic.twitter.com/QTUES1N3br
Related coverage: Tropical depression moves slowly over Cuba to the eastern Gulf of Mexico
Forecast for South Florida
WARNING: 4 watches and 5 advisories in effect for 10 regions in the area
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