Tropical Storm Debby to Strengthen into Hurricane, Threatening Gulf Coast with Life-Threatening Surges

Tropical Storm Debby is predicted to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Monday. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warns of life-threatening ocean surges and potentially historic rainfall causing catastrophic flooding. States of emergency have been declared in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Debby is anticipated to quickly intensify into a hurricane before hitting the Big Bend region of Florida's Gulf Coast by midday Monday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The NHC has issued warnings of life-threatening ocean surges and catastrophic flooding due to the storm's slow movement north through the week. A storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and rainfall between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) are expected in some areas.

"This is going to be the story of this storm," said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the hurricane center. "Its slow motion is going to dump historic amounts of rainfall - potentially over 20 inches. You're talking about catastrophic flooding." In preparation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has mobilized 3,000 National Guard troops and placed most of the state's cities and counties under emergency orders. Mandatory evacuations are in place for parts of Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Levy, and Wakulla counties along the Gulf Coast.

DeSantis has assured that more than 17,000 linemen and electric workers are on standby to restore power. Emergency declarations have also been issued by the governors of Georgia and South Carolina ahead of the storm. Debby, which became a tropical storm on Saturday, is presently about 120 miles (193 km) west of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph). It is expected to reach the Gulf Coast at 12 mph (19 kph) and strengthen to hurricane status as its winds hit 74 mph.

(With inputs from agencies.)