The National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. advisory says Hermine is expected to ramp up to 75 miles per hour winds just as it makes landfall late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
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Should Hermine make landfall in Florida, it would be the state’s first major storm in over a decade.
Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 42 Florida counties on Wednesday as residents braced for the unsafe weather conditions. “So many people have moved to our state (since) then, and we always have visitors”, he said.
STORM SURGE: 1 to 2 feet. Since 2010 alone, the number of residents in the state grew by 7.8%.
Tropical Storm Hermine developed during the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season’s traditional peak.
Data from USAF hurricane hunter finds #Hermine is now a hurricane.
We’ll be tracking winds out of the east-northeast, sustained between 30 to 35 miles per hour, gusting up to 50 to 55 miles per hour at times.
Georgia’s governor also declared a state of emergency for 56 counties through Saturday, in anticipation of the storm.
Two Florida counties – Franklin and Wakulla – have already issued evacuation notices, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
At Maximo Marina in St. Petersburg, Florida, dock master Joe Burgess watched anxiously as waters rose 6 inches (15 cm) over the dock at high tide on Thursday afternoon, before slowly receding. Shelters were open for evacuees.
Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast within the warning area beginning tonight.
Tropical Storm Hermine has strengthened into a hurricane as it heads towards Florida, forecasters have said. In Alligator Point, Robert Glazer spent the past two days getting his ocean-front home prepared. The best way to do this is by having a NOAA Weather Radio and signing up for Code Red Weather Warnings at www.lowndescounty.com.
“I’m preparing for a pretty big mess”, he said. And no inbound vessels are being allowed to call until the storm passes.
“We have seen some cancellations, but not everyone is bailing”, said Jackson. “That’s why you need to take action”.
Widespread showers and potentially heavy downpours are making their way across Southern New England and into Boston late Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
The hurricane center has extended a tropical storm warning to include the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Greatest risk for this would be from late tonight through Friday evening.
Coastal Carolina University will operate according to the established daytime schedule on Friday, however classes after 5 p.m. are canceled.
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We can’t rule out some strong thunderstorms within this system, isolated tornadoes and/or waterspouts are possible. The storm is expected to bring as much as 10 inches of rain, with as many as 20 inches forecasted in some areas. “We’re taking it seriously, encourage our customers to do the same and have emergency kits on hand in case the power does go out for a while”.
