There remains the expectation for the storm to move into the northeastern Gulf region as a stronger tropical storm, increasing the chances for higher surf in the Apalachee Bay region, increasing coastal water levels, and causing gusty, squally conditions.
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Several rounds of showers and storms are expected over the next few days, bringing the possibility of localized flooding.
The coast from Wilmington toward the SC border could see several inches of rain Friday and Friday night, forecasters in the weather service’s Morehead City office said. Tornadoes are also possible late Wednesday into Thursday morning, mainly across central Florida.
The center of Tropical Storm Hermine is located about 400 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, moving slowly to the north-northeast at 7 mph.
On the forecast track, the center of the tropical cyclone will approach the northwest Florida coast in the warning area on Thursday afternoon.Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm on Wednesday and could be near hurricane strength by the time landfall occurs.
Aside from heavy downpours and occasional lightning, gusty winds in some squalls could reach 35-40 miles per hour, she said.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb. That area is also under a hurricane watch.
Storm surge: The combination of a risky storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Anclote River to Indian Pass.
Rainfall was expected to slacken for areas to the east, such as Beaufort, where an inch or two was forecast.
In preparation for the storm in Florida, coastal residents have been evacuated, schools and colleges are closed Thursday and Friday, and officials have opened shelters for evacuees.
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The center said the Georgia and SC coasts should expect 4 to 7 inches of rain after the storm swings northeast from Florida, and amounts could reach 10 inches in some places. That high volume could trigger flash flooding.
