Tropical Storm Hermine May Gain Hurricane Strength Before Florida Landfall

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Tropical Storm Hermine has gained more strength after being upgraded to a named storm early Wednesday afternoon. As of Wednesday night, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center anticipated the storm would become the season's next hurricane before making landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast.

The storm was located about 315 miles west-southwest of Tampa as of 11 p.m. Wednesday. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving north-northeast at 10 mph.

On its present course, Hermine is expected to make landfall somewhere along Florida's Gulf Coast or Panhandle Thursday evening before crossing the state and heading into the southern portion of Georgia and onto South Carolina. The storm could also pose a threat for North Carolina and Virginia over the Labor Day weekend.

In the 11 p.m. update Wednesday, forecasters warned that "Hermine is expected to be a hurricane by the time landfall occurs."

By early Wednesday evening, a hurricane watch was in effect for Florida's Anclote River area north to Destin. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A tropical storm warning has also been issued for the same area. A warning means conditions are expected to arrive within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Marineland, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, on the east coast.

Late Wednesday night, forecasters issued a hurricane warning for the Suwanee River to Mexico Beach. The tropical storm watch was also extended from Altamaha Sound, Georgia, to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Tropical storm force winds were extending outward from the storm up to 125 miles, mainly to the east and southeast, as of Wednesday at 11 p.m., forecasters said.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office are warning Tampa Bay area residents to brace for severe weather over the next few days. In addition to heavy rain, tornadoes and storm surge also pose threats.

“Copious amounts of tropical moisture associated with this system will support widespread, heavy rains and squalls over this region on Thursday,” the agency wrote in its Wednesday morning Hazardous Weather Outlook report. Forecasters say the interior part of West Central Florida could see rainfall of 4 to 6 inches. The coastal region from St. Petersburg to Cedar Key could witness rainfall amounts up to 10 inches.

“In addition to the heavy rain and flooding threat, increasing wind shear within the atmosphere will bring an increased risk of tornadoes later tonight through Thursday,” the weather service warned.

Storm surge is also a concern. The biggest threat, forecasters say, is along the Nature Coast from Homosassa north to Cedar Key starting Wednesday night and continuing through Thursday.

The entire Tampa Bay area is under a flood watch starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday and continuing through until Friday night. Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon and New Port Richey are among the communities included in the flood watch.

Communities throughout the Tampa Bay area are closely monitoring the storm’s progress. As of Wednesday morning, no school systems had announced closings, but most cities and counties are offering sandbags to help residents prepare for the threat of flooding.

Tropical Depression Nine cropped up during the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season’s traditional peak. The season peaks each year between mid-August and mid-October. The period is described as the “season within the season” by forecasters. This eight-week period “is often the most active and dangerous time for tropical cyclone activity,” NOAA explained on its website.

The eight-week period is historically responsible for major spikes in tropical weather activity, NOAA said. In fact, it accounts for about 78 percent of all tropical storm days on record. It is also the period when 87 percent of the Category 1 and 2 hurricane days on record occurred. In addition, this period is responsible for “a whopping 96 percent of the major (Category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days.”

As hurricane season’s peak continues, emergency management officials urge residents in coastal areas to be prepared.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation in the Tampa Bay area, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• 2016 Hurricane Names: Is Yours On the List?
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity as the season develops, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website and keep an eye on your hometown Patch site for local information.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center