FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued warnings of potential flash flooding and landslides for the eastern Yucatan peninsula and western Cuba, while Florida is preparing for the possibility of a hurricane by midweek. A weather system off the coast of Mexico is expected to develop into a tropical storm by Sunday.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Saturday for most of the state’s Gulf coast in anticipation of the strengthening weather system as it moves northward across the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center issued a caution on Saturday, indicating that the system could bring dangerous storm surges, heavy rainfall, and strong winds to Florida’s Gulf coast and Panhandle by midweek.
The state of emergency declaration encompasses the Gulf coast from Fort Myers in the southwest to Panama City in the Panhandle, covering 33 out of Florida’s 67 counties.
The National Hurricane Center estimates a 70% chance of the system developing into a tropical storm by Monday, with an overall 90% likelihood. If no other tropical storm forms beforehand, it would be named “Idalia.” However, forecast models do not currently show the storm’s center approaching the areas of southwest Florida affected by deadly Hurricane Ian last year.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, “I encourage Floridians to have a plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked.”
According to forecast models, the storm is projected to curve northeast toward Florida, making landfall along the Gulf coast north of Tampa near the Big Bend area. It would then traverse the state diagonally, reemerging in the Atlantic Ocean near southeast Georgia.
This year, the U.S. East Coast has been fortunate to avoid cyclonic activity, but the western regions experienced the effects of Tropical Storm Hilary earlier this month. Hilary resulted in widespread flooding, mudslides, and road closures in Mexico, California, Nevada, and neighboring areas.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently revised its forecast for the 2023 hurricane season, predicting it to be more active than initially anticipated, in part due to unusually warm ocean temperatures. The hurricane season extends through November 30, with August and September typically being the peak months for storm activity.