More rain is on the way across Central Florida today as a tropical depression is forecast to develop off the coast, prompting reminders from the governor to prepare for heavy rain and possible flooding.
The National Hurricane Center said Monday that there’s an 80 percent chance of tropical formation in the Gulf in the next five days. If the system does develop into a named storm, it will be called Barry.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued weather warnings on Twitter Monday morning.
“We encourage all residents of North and Central Florida to prepare for the possibility of heavy rain and the potential for flooding in low-lying areas,” DeSantis said.
We are actively monitoring this weather system as it advances to the Gulf of Mexico. While it is premature to determine the potential impact to Florida’s Gulf Coast, heavy rain looks like an increasing possibility.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 8, 2019
We encourage all residents in North and Central Florida to prepare for the possibility of heavy rain and the potential for flooding in low-lying areas. Monitor local weather updates and follow preparedness guidelines provided by @FLSERT and @NHC_Atlantic.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 8, 2019
Shields said if the tropical system does form, it’s too soon to know where it will head, but early predictions send it to the west away from Florida.
There is a high probability (80%) that a tropical depression is likely to form by the end of the week over the northern Gulf of Mexico. This system also has the potential to produce heavy rainfall along portions of the northern and eastern U.S. Gulf Coast later this week.
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 8,
2019
BARRY MAY FORM: This will be a headline maker
this week, but it’s a wait and see for the Northern Gulf. This blob could
eventually threaten anywhere from TX to the FL Panhandle.