The biggest threat to the U.S. will come from Tropical Depression 9, which will likely become Tropical Storm Hermine on Wednesday.
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The storm remains a Tropical Depression and is heading north toward Florida’s Big Bend, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The center says the tropical storm should turn more toward the northeast with increasing speed on Thursday and is on a forecast track that would approach the northwest Florida coast about Thursday afternoon.
As the projected path jogged west, forecasters extended a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning to Destin, in Florida’s Panhandle, and on to the Anclote River north of Tampa.
The National Weather Service issued rip current warnings along the Grand Strand coast on Wednesday, and says rough surf conditions are expected through the week. This means tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.
The watch area includes the Georgia cities of Brunswick and St. Marys. “By the close of business today I expect this to be named storm and for us to be locked and ready”.
Heavy rains were already pounding parts of the state on Wednesday.
“If you see something, let the utilities know”, Scott said.
North Carolina’s Outer Banks apparently will be spared from a tropical system that has been moving toward the state for days. All watches and warnings for the system have been dropped. The NWS in Wilmington is predicting rain totals of 5 to 8 inches in the southern Sandhills. The heavy rains could potentially contribute to the further spread of the virus. The center also issued a hurricane watch for the coast, saying the system, which is now packing 35 miles per hour (55 kph) with higher gusts, is expected to strengthen as it heads east. Flooding, storm surge, fierce winds and tornadoes were all threats to the region, which could begin feeling the storm late on Wednesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott said in a statement.
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Flooding impacts will likely be highest late Friday, and rainfall and winds are expected to diminish by Saturday morning, according to the Wednesday afternoon forecast by the National Weather Service. Some areas could see up to 15 inches of rain.
