If it becomes a hurricane – that is, if its sustained wind speeds top 74 miles per hour – it would be the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Wilma in 2005.
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Hermine could become a hurricane, the center said. As of 5 a.m. EDT ( 2 a.m. PDT) Thursday, Hermine was centered about 275 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, and is moving north-northeast near 12 mph.
Tropical storm Hermine is now situated around 170 miles south-southwest of the Florida panhandle, and is tracking towards that area of the Gulf Coast of Florida at a forward speed of 14mph and with maximum sustained winds of 65mph, higher gusts and a minimum central pressure of 991mb.
“Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 to 36 hours, and Hermine is expected to be a hurricane by the time landfall occurs”, the NHC reported.
By 11 p.m. Eastern, sustained winds swirled at 65 miles per hour, and forecasters said continued weakening over the coming days was expected.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties.
Officials said residents should continue to be prepared for more rain, strong winds and high surf overnight.
Torrential rainfall is expected to be an issue, with localised flooding possible as well.
Heavy rain is expected with the potential of 5-8 inches in southwest Georgia.
For those living in North Florida, they can expect heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds.
It’s expected to make landfall in the Florida panhandle’s “Big Bend” region late Thursday or early Friday, the hurricane center said. These rains may cause flooding and flash flooding. According to current projections, the possible peak of the storm activity may focus on Thursday night through the first half of Friday.
On Friday afternoon, the storm will be to the south of SC and will pass along the state Friday evening, then begin to pull away.
By Friday morning, Hermine will likely be near Jacksonville, Florida. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Tropical Storm Hermine is gaining strength as it rumbles toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.
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Given the concentration of ILS capital exposed to Florida property catastrophe risk, it seems impossible to believe that ILS funds would emerge completely unscathed from any major storm hitting the state.
