Hermine Likely To Become a Hurricane Before Making Landfall Tonight

As of this morning Tropical Storm Hermine had winds of near 63 mph and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall tonight around 1 a.m. just south of Tallahassee.  The storm is expected to be a weak category 1 hurricane at the time of landfall with winds near 75 mph.  Hermine will likely track up the east coast of the U.S. bringing tropical storm conditions to Georgia and the Carolina’s throughout the weekend.  Hurricane watches and warnings have been posted for areas of Florida, while areas of Georgia and the Carolina’s are now receiving tropical storm watches and warnings.  This system will likely bring heavy rains, flooding, storm surge, wind damage and possibly tornadoes throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolina’s.  After making landfall tonight in Florida the storm will track northeast into Georgia by midday Friday before affecting the Carolina’s on Saturday and Sunday. This system will likely then skirt the northeastern U.S. coast bringing some rain and wind to those areas as well.

Rainfall: Hermine is expected to produce storm total rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over portions of northwest Florida and southern Georgia through Friday, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches. On Friday and Saturday, Hermine is expected to produce totals of 4 to 8 inches with local amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of eastern Georgia, South Carolina, and eastern North Carolina through Saturday. These rains may cause life-threatening flash flooding. -NHC

Tornadoes: TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible this afternoon into Friday morning over north Florida and southeast Georgia. The tornado risk will continue across the eastern Carolinas from Friday morning into Friday night. -NHC
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast within the warning area beginning tonight. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength by this afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within the warning area along the Atlantic coast on Friday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area by Friday night and Saturday. -NHC

STORM SURGE:  The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.  There is a danger of life-threatening inundation within the next 36 hours along the Gulf coast of Florida from Aripeka to Indian Pass.  For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the Prototype National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic.  Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water.  Promptly follow any instructions, including evacuation orders, from local officials. -NHC