Forecasters Are Warning of a Likely Dangerous Hurricane Along the Northeast Gulf of Mexico Later this Week

RISKAlert ?# 1996 ???Sept.?23,? 2024 ?????Gulf of Mexico and State of Florida

Forecasters are urging interests along the Gulf of Mexico’s northeast coast to prepare for what will likely DANGEROUS HURRICANE later this week become a dangerous hurricane later this week, and all of Florida to plan for a major weather event.

By Monday, most major forecast models all predict a developing storm to emerge from the Caribbean Sea and into the Gulf on Wednesday. The storm next is expected to move rapidly northward, nearly parallel to Florida’s west coast, late on Wednesday and early Thursday. As it tracks northward, the storm is expected to strengthen over increasingly warm Gulf waters to hurricane status and spread heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts, storm surge and tornadoes across all of Florida, but especially on the Gulf Coast.

AccuWeather meteorologists were the first to sound the alarm on the potential dangers of this developing tropical system, suggesting that the storm could attain major (Cat 3) hurricane status or higher prior to landfall on Thursday along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend regions. It is possible that the area could receive 4 to 8 inches of rainfall from the storm, with localized amounts of up to 24 inches, along with wind gusts in excess of 100 mph.

The entire Florida Peninsula will be at risk of severe weather and even inland areas a hundred miles or more away from the storm’s track could experience flooding rains and dangerous wind gusts. ?If the storm jogs slightly farther westward, ?storm surge potential would increase the likelihood of major coastal flooding.

“Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva. “This setup has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.” There is growing confidence that the predicted track along Florida’s Gulf Coast is accurate.

Residents and business interests located in the predicted landfall area of this developing tropical system should BEGIN PREPARATIONS NOW? FOR A MAJOR EVENT. Other areas of the state should begin preparations to protect against peripheral and indirect effects of the storm, especially from strong winds and flooding.

Begin monitoring the progress of this potential major hurricane today and keep updated through media reports and advisories issued by the National Hurricane Center.? Residents in Georgia, South Carolina and portions of North Carolina also should begin watching the development of this potential tropical threat for possible impacts on Friday and into early Saturday.???

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