The National Weather Service on Sunday issued a tropical storm warning for Charleston.
Advertisement
At 6 p.m. eastern time Sunday, the storm was west of the southern tip of Florida, moving north at 9 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds around 40 miles per hour.
Some streghtening is forecast as the storm moves toward the Florida coast.
Florida’s emergency management director Bryan Koon said they expected a fast-moving storm, which means it could mature rapidly. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for northeastern Florida and parts of the Georgia coast.
Early this year, Tropical Storm Alex became one of a few hurricanes to form during the winter and Tropical Storm Bonnie battered the Carolinas with heavy rain and winds over Memorial Day weekend. The National Weather Service reported there’s an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms and Colin is expected to pass by Charleston Tuesday.
Heavy and persistent storms the past two weeks have dumped more than a foot of rain in parts of Texas.
Bielling noted that unless the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center significantly changes its forecasts, an EOC activation would not be necessary. Three soldiers were pulled from the water and survived. The rain is expected to diminish this week and dry out areas such as Southeast Texas, where officials gave evacuation order to about 2,000 homes.
Other western and southwestern US states are experiencing above-normal temperatures in the triple-digits.
Hurricane officials say a storm in the northwestern Caribbean Sea could develop into a tropical storm before hitting Florida with flooding rain. Tropical Storm Colin could develop by Sunday night or Monday morning, according to the hurricane center. It already contained thunderstorms and near tropical storm strength winds. But it still headed towards the Florida peninsula.
Advertisement
Police in St. Petersburg distributed sandbags and Gov. Rick Scott warned residents, tourists and businesses to be prepared.
