Meteorologists warn of possible tropical storm in Louisiana and Florida for the weekend

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to track a defined tropical wave in the Atlantic Ocean that could become Tropical Storm Debby and threaten the United States beginning this weekend or early next week.

The storm, designated Invest 97L by the NHC, is approaching Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, where AccuWeather meteorologists are warning residents from Louisiana to Florida’s west coast to remain prepared, USA Today reported.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 54 of the state’s 67 counties as a precaution and in anticipation of what could be the first major storm of the hurricane season, with the potential to cause river flooding that could last for weeks, the Pensacola News Journal reported.

It could strengthen during the next few days.

“Florida is monitoring Invest 97L in the Atlantic, which is expected to strengthen and potentially make landfall as early as this weekend,” DeSantins wrote on his X account.

“It will be slow moving and bring a lot of rain that could cause significant flooding. I encourage all residents to prepare for the storm and follow all guidelines issued by @FLSERT and local emergency management officials,” he added.

The NHC commented in a statement that development of this system remains unlikely during the next few days as it moves west-northwestward over portions of the Greater Antilles.

Environmental conditions are forecast to “become more conducive for development after the wave passes through the Greater Antilles,” which includes Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

“A tropical depression could form this weekend or early next week over the eastern Gulf of Mexico or far southwestern Atlantic Ocean, including near Florida,” the NHC said in an advisory on social media.

People are advised to be prepared

The National Hurricane Center said interests in the Greater Antilles, Bahamas and Florida should continue to monitor the progress of the system, which it says has a 70 percent chance of forming in the next seven days, USA Today reported.

Meteorologists are advising people to be prepared for severe weather. “Residents from Louisiana to the west coast of Florida need to be prepared in case of rapid intensification,” Pastelok said.

The National Weather Service in Tampa noted that “for now, the key is to monitor the progress of this system and check your hurricane preparedness plan.” With heavy rains forecast, “consider your vulnerability to flooding,” the NWS warned.

If winds reach 39 mph, the system would be named Tropical Storm Debby, making it the fourth named storm of what is expected to be an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2024.

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