CEDAR KEY, Fla. – Storm surge, heavy rain, and high tide hit at the same time Sunday in Fort Myers Beach, as Tropical Storm Debby moved north in the Gulf of Mexico.
The life-threatening storm surge along Florida’s Gulf Coast was 6 to 10 feet. Water intruded into businesses and homes and turned roads into rivers.
Town officials released a statement to the Fort Myers News-Press warning that “debris in the water from Hurricane Ian ... could resurface, making it dangerous to swim or drive.”
The risks were higher in low-lying areas near the coast. Debby’s outer bands prompted a tornado watch, a storm surge watch, and a flood watch at the barrier island. There were power outages.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Debby was strengthening rapidly into a strong Category 1 hurricane before landfall Monday in Florida’s Big Bend where there was a hurricane warning in effect Sunday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis warned residents about the need to prepare for flooding and abide by the local mandatory evacuations. He deployed the National Guard.
Debby is the fourth named storm of this hurricane season, which ends Nov 30.
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