Tropical Depression Nine expected to hit Florida like a major hurricane
- The National Hurricane Center said the system is expected to hit Cuba early Tuesday as a hurricane, then hit Florida early Wednesday.
- In Florida, there is “potential for significant impacts from storm surges, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall.”
- Floridians need to remain vigilant and ensure their households are prepared for a potential impact.
Tropical Depression Nine formed early Friday in the eastern Caribbean Sea and forecasts show it developing into a major Category 3 hurricane as it potentially approaches Florida by the middle of next week.
It would be the first hurricane to hit the continental United States this year.
The National Hurricane Center said the system is expected to hit Cuba early Tuesday as a hurricane, then Florida early Wednesday. The NHC added that residents of Cuba, the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula should have hurricane plans in place, though it’s “too early to determine the magnitude and impact.” exact location” of the hurricane.
“If the system enters the Gulf of Mexico, which appears to be one of the most likely scenarios at this time, areas from the Florida peninsula to the Florida panhandle are likely to be hit directly by a mighty hurricane,” the AccuWeather chief said. Live weather forecaster Bernie Rayno said.
Where is Tropical Depression Nine now?
As of 5 p.m. EDT, the low was located approximately 430 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving at 15 mph.
A depression becomes a named tropical storm when its sustained winds reach 39 mph. It becomes a hurricane once its winds reach 74 mph.
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Where is Tropical Depression 9 going?
The Hurricane Center said Friday: “On the forecast track, the center of the cyclone is expected to cross the central Caribbean Sea through Saturday, pass south of Jamaica Saturday evening and Sunday and approach the Cayman Islands Sunday evening. and early Monday.”.
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What will be the impact of the storm on Florida?
Early next week, the system is expected to move near or over western Cuba as a strengthening hurricane and then approach the Florida Peninsula at or near the major hurricane force, with the potential for significant impacts from storm surges, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall. , said the Hurricane Center.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted on Friday that “while the eventual trail of TD9 is uncertain, Floridians should remain vigilant and ensure their households are prepared for a potential impact.”
In response to the looming threat of a strike from the storm, Governor DeSantis declared a pre-landfall state of emergency late Friday afternoon for 24 counties at risk of being hit, AccuWeather reported.
Will Tropical Depression Nine be called Ian?
Yes. The system will almost certainly be called Ian, which is the next name on the World Meteorological Organization’s list of storm names. Tropical Storm Hermine (pronounced Her-MEEN) formed Friday afternoon off the coast of Africa, so that name was taken.
USA Today
