Tropical Storm Warning Issued In Florida Ahead Of Laura

KEY WEST, FL — A tropical storm warning was issued in Florida as Laura pushed toward the Sunshine State early Monday packing 65 mph winds and heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Marco became a hurricane for a time Sunday as it barreled toward Louisiana and Texas before ending the day as a tropical storm.

People in the Florida Keys secured loose items and made last-minute preparations ahead of Laura. "Please remember there can be gusts up to 50 miles per hour on Monday into Tuesday morning," Monroe County, Florida officials warned Sunday. "Please secure all trash containers, yard debris, and décor, including toys, sports equipment and lawn furniture for any squalls that may come through."

Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers declared a local state of emergency ahead of Laura in Florida's southernmost county but rescinded her mandatory evacuation order on Sunday for all liveaboard vessels, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, travel trailers and campers.

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"Those who are staying in this type of shelter should seek to stay with friends or family or be prepared to shelter in place during the storm," county officials urged. "Those on boats should seek shelter on land. General population shelters will not be opened at this time, but the sheltering plan remains in place if a need arises."

People in recreational vehicles, trailers, and other similar vehicles that are outside of Monroe County were told not to enter the Florida Keys until Tuesday. The area expects to see severe weather, isolated tornadoes and coastal flooding that is 3 to 6 inches higher than king tides, particularly on the Atlantic side.

“Residents should continue to monitor the storm and be prepared for severe weather, 20-30 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph, and strong squalls,” Monroe County Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner said on Sunday.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Dry Tortugas, Florida while a tropical storm watch is in effect for the Florida Keys from Craig Key to Key West.

While Florida is outside the forecast cone for Tropical Storm Laura, its winds extend outward 140 miles from the center. Laura is expected to become a hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. Both Marco and Laura were expected to make landfall around the Louisiana cost within 48 hours of one another.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Key West set port condition Yankee for the Port of Key West on Sunday requiring all vessels larger than 300 gross tons to leave unless they get special approval. The port will also cease all cargo operations an handling of equipment ahead of Laura.

Forecast tracks released by the National Hurricane Center showed Laura as a Category 1 hurricane early Tuesday. Laura was expected to remain a Category 1 storm at least through Wednesday night. The storm appeared headed for a possible landfall in Louisiana. Laura is expected to be downgraded back to a tropical storm by Thursday night after the storm pushes inland.

"On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move near or over the southern coast of Cuba tonight and Monday, and move over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Monday night and Tuesday. Laura is expected to move over the central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night and Wednesday," the National Hurricane Center said late Sunday night.

Laura was about 125 miles southeast of Camaguey, Cuba as of 11 p.m. Sunday. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The storm was moving west-northwest at 21 mph.

"Gradual strengthening is expected, and Laura is forecast to become a hurricane by early Tuesday," the National Hurricane Center said.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center from the center of Laura, which is the main concern for the Florida Keys.

State emergency management officials have special PPE kits available for storm shelters that include hand sanitizer, masks and gloves.

Marco was expected to remain a tropical storm it moves through the Gulf toward Louisiana and Texas before becoming a tropical depression.

The National Hurricane Center said Laura was expected to bring 1 to 2 inches of rain to the Florida Keys through Tuesday.

"Tropical storm conditions are possible within portions of the watch area in the Florida Keys Monday," the National Hurricane Center said.

Weather researchers predict the 2020 Atlantic hurricane system will be "extremely active," with the potential to be one for the record books.

See related:

• AT&T On Emergency Standby As Tropical Storm Laura ApproachesFloridians Prefer To Stay Home Than Seek Hurricane Shelter: USF
• 2020 Hurricane Season May Bring Record Number Of Storms
• 2020 Hurricane Season Brings Uncertainty, Sleepless Nights
• 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season List Of Names

An average season produces 12 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three become major Category 3 storms or above with top winds of at least 111 mph.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its updated seasonal outlook earlier this month that we could see a total of 19-25 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph, of which seven to 11 will become hurricanes, including three to six major hurricanes.