Florida Gov. Rick Scott is encouraging people across the peninsula to prepare for severe weather, heavy rain and potential flooding.
The National Weather Service June 4 was monitoring a developing tropical system that could impact the Gulf coast beginning late June 5 or early June 6.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management also is monitoring the system.
“While Florida’s emergency officials, first responders and National Guard stand ready to respond to any need, it is crucial that Floridians use every resource to make sure their homes and families are immediately and thoroughly prepared,” Scott said in a news release issued June 4.
A dispatch June 4 from the National Hurricane Center in Miami said, “Widespread cloudiness and thunderstorms over the northwestern Caribbean Sea are currently poorly organized. A low pressure system is expected to form in association with this disturbed weather over the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico or the adjacent waters by tomorrow and move generally northward.”
NHC continued, “Subsequently, this low is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone as it moves northeastward across the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico early next week. Regardless of development, locally heavy rains and flooding are possible over portions of the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba, the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula during the next several days.”
The NHC forecast:
- Formation chance through 48 hours is high, about 70 percent.
- Formation chance through five days is high, about 80 percent.
FDEM director Bryan W. Koon stated, “Even if this system does not develop into a named storm, it still poses significant risks from flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes, and rip currents. This is expected to be a fast-moving storm, which means that it could mature very rapidly and very close, giving us little warning.”
The FDEM notice said potential impacts include:
- Rainfall amounts through June 8 could reach up to 5 inches across much of the central and south portions of the state.
- Additional severe weather is possible through June 7 across portions of the central and south portions of the state.
- Increased wave heights along the Gulf coast June 5 and June 6 and along the Atlantic coast June 8 will elevate the risk of rip currents and minor coastal erosion.
The FDEM warned if severe weather is forecast:
- Ensure a disaster supply kit is prepared and heed all instructions from local officials.
- Know what to do in the event of a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch or warning. If a tornado warning is issued, seek shelter immediately in an interior room, away from windows.
- Never drive through flooded roadways, as road beds may be washed out under floodwaters and just a foot of fast-moving flood water can move cars off the road.
- If thunder roars, go indoors.
- If a roadway is flooded, turn around and, if possible, take another route.
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur.
- Be aware drainage channels canals and other areas can flood suddenly.
And remember, the Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
For the latest information on the season, visit floridadisaster.org.
Also, The Islander’s annual Storm Avengers hurricane preparedness supplement is available with the June 1 issue of the newspaper.