Orlando Florida, Aug 4, 2024: Tropical Storm Debby is now forecast to rapidly intensify into a hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region and bring potentially historic amounts of rainfall to parts of the Southeast, due to near-record warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

Resource: Please review recommendations curated by UNITED SIKHS in this Tropical Storm Preparedness Flyer

Warnings of tropical storm conditions over the next 48 hours span the entire western Florida coast south of the Big Bend and include Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. A storm surge warning stretches from Aripeka, about 45 miles northwest of Tampa, up to the mouth of the Aucilla River.

Orlando Florida, Aug 3, 2024: Tropical Depression Four has strengthened into Tropical Storm Debby in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters project Tropical Cyclone 4 to develop into Tropical Storm Debby in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, and its path is projected to cross over South Georgia after making landfall in Western Florida.

Track the Storm: Spaghetti models and more maps here
“Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area by Sunday night, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin on Sunday,” the hurricane center said. “Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward over the tropical storm warning areas this evening and continuing through Sunday.”

FEMA is urging residents in those projected areas to prepare ahead of time for potential flooding and severe weather.

“As the system moves north, it may bring flooding and other hazardous conditions to portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina,” a FEMA release said. “Residents in the path of the storm should expect heavy rainfall over the weekend and into next week.”

Here is the guidance from FEMA:

• Be prepared for the hazards the storm may bring. This storm may bring rainfall, coastal and flash flooding and wind far from the center track of the storm along the coast of Florida. As the storm travels inland, it may bring heavy rainfall to areas in Florida and along the southeast coast from Georgia to North Carolina into next week.
• Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when flooding starts. Visit.Ready.gov or Listo.gov for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after floods.
• Stay safe during flooding. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Remember, just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and never drive around barricades, local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Be in the know to evacuate safely. Evacuate immediately, if told to do so. To plan for evacuation, it’s important to know your risks, know what to bring, know when and where to go and know trusted information sources.
• Keep important documents safe. Having your financial and medical records and important contact information will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly. Keep important documents in a waterproof container on a high shelf or upper level of your home. Create password-protected digital copies and move valuables to higher levels.

The UNITED SIKHS National disaster relief team is ready for support while working with FEMA and the state agencies and can be reached at +1-888-243-1690.

Sikh Aid, Director
Gurvinder Singh
Sikh Aid Disaster Relief Team
sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org
P: +1-888-243-1690 | +1-469-222-6288

Thank you for your support.

Donate Now

In Solidarity,

UNITED SIKHS