AccuWeather Forecasts Dangerous Hurricane for Florida’s Gulf Coast; Threat Looms for 120 MPH Winds and Heavy Rain
According to AccuWeather, a storm that is brewing in the western Caribbean is expected to strengthen quickly into a hurricane and could potentially hit the U.S. Gulf Coast on Thursday. If this storm makes landfall in the United States, it could be the strongest storm of the season thus far.
There needs to be serious preparation for the potential impact of hurricanes in the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle regions. Thursday is when the storm is projected to make landfall, but it could quickly strengthen into a Category 3 or greater hurricane. Potential dangers include violent thunderstorms, tornadoes, storm surge, and heavy rain.
“Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “This setup has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.”
People living in areas that could be affected should begin making preparations immediately. Read up on your safety strategies and keep yourself informed about the weather. Strong winds of 100–120 mph and rainfall of 4–8 inches (up to 24 inches in certain areas) are possible for the Big Bend Region and the Florida Panhandle.
If the storm continues to move west, it could cause floods and storm surge in Tampa Bay.
Tornadoes that spin up might cause damage to the Florida Peninsula and other places. Even hundreds of miles inland, interior regions are still at risk of catastrophic wind gusts and flooding deluge. Storm surge poses a moderate threat to life and property in the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba.
Storms can quickly intensify due to the warm water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, which increases their potential strength. The analysts at AccuWeather stress the significance of being ready, stating that this storm could cause power outages across large areas, have harmful repercussions that extend hundreds of miles inland, and be one of the most memorable of the 2024 hurricane season.
