LIVE BLOG: Hurricane Debby causes deaths in North Central Florida (2024)

Published: Aug. 2, 2024 at 6:24 AM EDT|Updated: Aug. 5, 2024 at 11:39 AM EDT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - North Central Florida’s most trusted weather team has declared a “First Alert” Weather Day for Sunday and Monday. The latest updates on the storm “Debby” will be posted below:

Monday 11 a.m.: Debby has been downgraded back to a Tropical Storm

11 a.m. advisory has been released and Tropical Storm Debby now has maximum sustained winds at 70 mph. and is moving NNE at 8 mph. Debby will continue to bring tropical storm winds across North Central Florida for the rest of the day along with the rainfall.

As of this hour, North Central Florida has seen 2-18 inches of rainfall and the number continues to increase. Higher rainfall amounts continue to soar in the Big Bend region where Debby made landfall early Monday morning.

Later tonight, Tropical Storm Debby will begin to move out of our area and continue to move into the Southeast of the United States.

Monday 10:30 a.m.: 13-year-old boy killed by falling tree

According to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, a teen boy was killed near Fanning Springs on Monday morning when Hurricane Debby caused a tree to fall on a mobile home.

Officials say the 13-year-old boy died around 8 a.m. when the tree fell on the mobile home on Northwest 168 Place in Fanning Springs.

Other adults were at the home, but no one else was hurt.

RELATED: 13-year-old boy killed when tree falls on mobile home due to Hurricane Debby

Monday 7:30 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis gives update on Hurricane Debby recovery efforts

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave an update on Hurricane Debby on Monday morning as the storm moved through the state. He warned people not to drive during the storm and to only use generators outdoors.

Emergency operations officials also warned of flooding, particularly along rivers and streams which could enter a major flood stage.

Crews are on standby to respond and begin repairs and storm cleanup as soon as the storm passes. Officials expect power outages to be less widespread compared to Hurricane Idalia in 2023 which impacted the same region.

RELATED: Crash in Dixie County kills 2 people leaves 1 with serious injuries

Monday 7 a.m.: Debby makes landfall in Big Bend

Hurricane Debby made landfall about 7 a.m. Monday near Steinhatchee with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, bringing the rural Big Bend region its second hurricane in less than a year, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Debby is expected to slow and turn northeast, meandering across North Florida and Southeast Georgia later Monday, with the hurricane center saying it could produce “catastrophic flooding in some locations.”

Steinhatchee is in Taylor County, roughly 90 miles south of Tallahassee. On Aug. 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Taylor County’s Keaton Beach with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and storm surge of 7 to 12 feet along the coast. It then caused widespread damage as it moved across North Florida

Monday 6:30 a.m.: Roads blocked due to Hurricane Debby

As of 6:30 a.m.Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office received numerous reports of road blockages due to downed trees and/or power lines including but not limited to the following:

• SR 47 is closed between CR 232 and CR 340
• SR 26 around Trenton Elementary School
• US 129 near the Field of Dreams
• Multiple blockages within the City of Trenton

Monday 6 a.m.: Hurricane Debby brings down trees and caused outages across North Central Florida

As of 6 a.m., 153,000 customers are reportedly without power statewide. Suwannee County reports the most outages at more than 11,000. Thousands of customers are without power in Alachua, Marion, Levy, Dixie, and Gilchrist counties.

• FPL customers can call 1-800-468-8243 or visit https://www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html...
• GRU customers can call 1-352-334-2871 to report a power outage or downed power lines, or visit https://www.gru.com/Storm-Central/Report-an-Outage
• Duke Energy residential customers can call 1-800-700-8744; business customers can call 1-877-372-8477 to report outages, or visit https://outagereport.duke-energy.com/
• Central Florida Electric Cooperative customers can call 1-800-227-1302 or visit https://www.cfec.com/report

Clay Electric Cooperative customers can call 1-888-434-9844 or visit https://clayelectric.smarthub.coop/ui/#/login

Monday 2 a.m.: Debby has gotten slightly stronger with max sustained winds of 80 mph

Hurricane Debby is expected to make landfall early Monday morning near the Taylor/Dixie County line. Squally weather with tropical storm force winds is expected. Widespread 4-8″ of rain is likely with isolated higher amounts up to a foot possible. Flooding will be possible in certain areas.

Sunday 11 p.m.: Debby upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane

The National Weather Service is reporting wind speeds for Debby at 75 miles per hour officially marking the storm as a Category 1 Hurricane. The storm is approaching Florida’s Big Bend region near the Taylor-Dixie County line.

RELATED: Levy County residents ride out the storm amid evacuation orders

Sunday 7 p.m.: Tornado Warning issued

Tropical Storm Debby spawned multiple possible tornadoes in the area of Bradford and Union counties around 7 p.m. People in the area should move to a safe place until the warning ends.

Sunday 6:30 p.m.: Tropical Storm warnings extended inland as Tropical Storm Debby moves closer

Following the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. advisory, Tropical Storm Warnings have extended inland to areas including Alachua, Marion, Levy, Gilchrist, union Bradford, and Columbia Counties. A Hurricane Warning is in place for Dixie and Suwannee Counties.

Heavy rain and flooding conditions continue to be the main threat for NCFL with widespread totals estimated to be between 4-8″ across the area, but some parts could see 8-12″ as a swath is expected to affect parts of the viewing area.

Viewers can send us photos and videos of weather and damage from Debby and they may be featured on TV20. Please be careful and do not put yourself in harm’s way to get videos. If you submit a photo or video, please state when and where it was taken.

Sunday 4 p.m.: Schools announce cancelations ahead of Tropical Storm Debby

School District officials in Alachua, Columbia, and Levy counties are canceling classes at all public schools. District offices will also be closed.

University of Florida, Santa Fe College, Florida Gateway College, and College of Central Florida are all closing campus on Monday due to the storm.

Sunday 3 p.m.: Tropical Storm Debby’s Rainbands Begin to Move in

Currently, Tropical Storm Debby’s impact is starting to be seen across North Central Florida. According to updated advisories, NCFL is also under a Tornado Watch, in addition to Tropical storm watches and warnings and Hurricane watches and warnings. Rainbands are starting to be seen on the radar impacting Marion and Alachua counties. At this time, severe thunderstorm warnings are being issued. Still, North Central Florida’s main threat is the flooding. Debby is currently moving NNW at 13 mph with sustained winds at 65 mph.

Sunday 11 a.m.: Tropical Storm Debby strengthens

Tropical Storm Debby continues to get stronger, with max winds now estimated at 65 mph. As it tracks through the eastern Gulf more strengthening is expected and the storm is expected to become a hurricane later today.

Right now Debby is centered about 160 miles SSW of Cedar Key. On its current course, the storm is forecast to make landfall along the upper Florida Gulf coast Monday morning.

Across North Central Florida expect the wind & rain to increase later today and overnight. As the storm approaches coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes will also be a concern.

Sunday 10 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis warns Debby is ‘Major Event’ and expects flooding

Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of flooding statewide from Tropical Storm Debby. Appearing at a Sunday morning news conference at the state Emergency Operations Center, DeSantis said people in the potential path of Debby should finalize preparations for what will be a “major event” that will have “significant impacts across the state.”

“This is a big storm. I mean, you’re going to have rain that’s going to be far beyond the center of the storm,” DeSantis said. “So, just prepare for that. Just because you’re not in the eye of the storm does not mean you are not going to have major impacts.”

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration that will provide federal assistance to supplement the state’s efforts with Debby, the White House announced Sunday morning. Biden authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate efforts.

State Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said Debby has a 1-in-3 chance of rapid intensification before landfall.

Sunday 8 a.m.: Debby Gaining Strength Off SW Florida Coast

As of 8 a.m., Debby is located about 155 miles SW of Tampa, or 205 miles SSW of Cedar Key. The storm now has estimated max winds of 60 mph. The NHC forecast continues to show Debby becoming a hurricane later today, with landfall still expected Monday morning.

Sunday 5 a.m. Tropical Storm Debby Update

The 5 a.m. advisory on Debby puts the center 195 miles SSW of Tampa or about 255 miles SSW of Cedar Key. The storm is currently moving to the NNW at 13 mph.

Debby is gaining strength over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and now has max winds of 50 mph. Right now the NHC forecasts that the storm will strengthen into a hurricane later tonight...with landfall on the Florida Big Bend coast Monday morning.

Residents across NCFL should expect conditions to worsen here later today as the wind & rain will increase tonight into Monday. Heavy rain (with localized flooding), strong winds, coastal flooding, and isolated tornadoes will be possible.

Saturday 11 p.m.: Tropical Storm Debby intensifies

As of the 11 p.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Debby continues to intensify in the Gulf. It is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida Sunday night.

The advisory projects Tropical Storm Debby to intensify into Hurricane Debby as it hits North Central Florida with sustained winds around 85 mph

RELATED: Levy County officials prepare for tropical storm Debby

Saturday 5:00 p.m.: The National Hurricane Center has upgraded TD4 to Tropical Storm Debby

As of the 5 p.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center has upgraded TD4 to Tropical Storm Debby located over the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Dixie County. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Levy County. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Suwannee and Gilchrist Counties. Additionally, a Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Dixie and Levy Counties.

Max winds are currently at 40 mph. However, the storm is expected to strengthen into a category 1 hurricane before landfall as it will be moving across the warm Gulf waters.

Heavy rainfall and flooding conditions are expected for much of North Central Florida.

Max winds for Tropical Storm Debby are expected to be around 75 mph. TV20 Meteorologist Bradley Benoit said “it is forecasted to be a hurricane at landfall Monday morning.”

Saturday 11:00 a.m.: Latest NHC advisory puts center of TD4 near Havana

As of the 11 am advisory, the Hurricane Watch has been extended westward to Indian Pass. The watch now extends from Levy, Dixie, and Taylor Counties to the eastern Florida panhandle just west of Apalachicola. The Tropical Storm Warning continues southward from Citrus County to the southern tip of Florida.

Max winds for TD4 are near 35 mph. As it moves into the southeastern Gulf today it is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby. The updated forecast track brings the center onshore the northern Gulf coast early on Monday as either a strong tropical storm or category 1 hurricane.

Saturday 11:30 a.m.: Levy County issues mandatory evacuation

Levy County officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for:

• Recreational vehicles park throughout the county, and they shall be removed from the county to the maximum extent possible.
• Mobile homes and manufactures homes throughout the county.
• Coastal communities in the county.
• Low-lying areas throughout the county.

Evacuations should be completed by 8 p.m. Saturday.

RELATED: Shelter locations in North Central Florida

Saturday 8 a.m.: Hurricane Watch posted for the Florida Gulf Coast. Tropical Depression 4 located near the south coast of Cuba

A Hurricane Watch is now in effect along our Gulf Coast from Yankeetown northward to the Aucilla River. This includes the coast of Levy, Dixie, and Taylor Counties. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from south of Yankeetown to East Cape Sable in southern Florida.

As of 8 am, the center of the depression is located along the south coast of Cuba about 75 miles south of Veradero, or 170 miles south of Key West. The system is moving to the WNW at 16 mph. Max winds remain at about 30 mph.

TD 4 is expected to become a tropical storm later today as it crosses over Cuba and moves into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. At that time, conditions appear favorable for the system to gain strength. The current forecast indicates that it will remain off the Florida west coast until it makes landfall either late Sunday night or early Monday morning along our coast as either a strong tropical storm or category 1 hurricane.

Sunday and Monday remain First Alert Weather Days for NCFL as the main effects (increase in rain and wind) will be felt later in the day Sunday, through Sunday night, into Monday morning. Conditions will slowly improve later Monday.

Friday 6:45 p.m.: Gov. DeSantis adds 7 counties to the list of those under a state of emergency

Brevard, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee are now under a state of emergency.

Friday 5 p.m.: The latest advisory shows Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 shifting to the west

The latest advisory from the National Weather Service shows an expected track for Potential Tropical Cyclone Four. The storm models are shifted slightly to the west.

The WCJB First Alert Weather Team expects a strong tropical storm to make landfall Sunday night into early Monday morning. The warm Gulf of Mexico waters will impact how much the storm intensifies.

RELATED: Florida Emergency Management prepares for potential tropical cyclone

Friday 4 p.m.: Columbia County leaders prepare for Potential Tropical Cyclone 4

Columbia County officials say river flooding is a major concern in the northern and southern ends of the county as the forecast shows the storm moving through the area on Sunday and Monday.

All county-owned retention ponds are being pumped down to aid in possible flooding mitigation during the storm.

The county offers free sandbags at three locations ahead of the storm, for locations click here.

Friday 11:30 a.m.: National Weather Service tracks Potential Tropical Cyclone 4

Meteorologist Danielle Van Pelt explains, “A potential tropical cyclone means it is not a depression or a tropical storm but will eventually bring a threat of 39-plus-mph winds to land within 48 hours.”

“Since a tropical storm’s minimum sustained wind speeds are 39 mph, Tropical Storm Debby is likely.”

“Watches and Warnings are now in place and are expected to be updated as the storm moves in closer. Sunday and Monday are days to watch out for in our area.”

Friday 6 a.m.: Chief Meteorologist Mike Potter declares First Alert Weather Days for Sunday and Monday

The TV20 Weather team is tracking a tropical disturbance trying to form near eastern Cuba. The eventual strength of the storm is still mostly unknown, especially what specific path it will take into the Eastern Gulf.

After a wet July, this disturbance could bring flooding to the state, including North Central Florida.

Thursday 5:30 p.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency for North Central Florida ahead of storm

With models predicting a tropical depression or storm to impact North Central Florida in the coming days, Gov. Ron DeSantis has placed dozens of counties under a state of emergency.

In Executive Order 24-156, the governor placed the following counties under a state of emergency: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

Thursday 5 p.m.: Counties prepare sandbag filling locations ahead of storm

Levy County emergency management officials have begun preparing sandbag fill locations for residents before the expected storm.

The self-serve sandbag fill locations will open on Friday at 8 a.m. Residents are limited to 10 bags. The sandbag locations are:

• Bronson: Bronson Town Hall, 650 Oak Street, Bronson
• Cedar Key: Near the Back Door of the Old Cedar Community Center, 7th Street, Cedar Key
• Chiefland: Chiefland Maintenance Yard, 920 SE 4th Street, Chiefland
• Fanning Springs: Fanning Springs Fire Station, 17651 NW 90th Court, Trenton
• Gulf Hammock: Gulf Hammock Fire Station, 2851 SE County Road 326, Inglis
• Inglis: Inglis Municipal Building, 31 Risher Avenue, Inglis
• Morriston: Morriston Fire Station, 19750 SE 32nd Place, Morriston
• Rosewood: Rosewood Baptist Church, 6331 SW 98th Terrace, Cedar Key
• Williston: Empty lot across from Williston Police Department, 5 SW 1st Avenue, Williston
• Yankeetown: Yankeetown Water Plant, 6241 Harmony Lane, Yankeetown

In Union County, their sandbag location will be at the Union County Road Department building in Lake Butler. That opens at 10 a.m.

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