Forecasters say hurricane could impact Florida next week

Tropical depression nine has formed overnight as forecasters predict a potential impact for Florida next week as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said environmental conditions favor further strengthening. 

There are five storm systems in the Atlantic right now, which is typical this time of year. Most hurricanes have hit Florida during September and October.

The tropical depression is located about 1,000 miles east of Cuba, moving at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. A turn to the west-northwest and northwest is expected this weekend.

The tracking models show the depression strengthening into a hurricane sometime next week as it approaches Florida. There’s still a lot of uncertainty, but it’s likely to make landfall on the west coast or central Florida. Forecasters say it could become a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.

As for Sebastian, the storm is not expected to become a major hurricane for our area. However, we could experience high winds, rains, flooding, and the threat of tornadoes. 

Sebastian Daily will keep you updated on any threats to our local area.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

It’s always a good idea to have a weather radio (one powered by a hand crank) available if you lose power. We found one here that comes with a couple of lights, radio, and an outlet to keep your mobile phones and other devices charged. In addition, you might want to invest in a generator to keep your refrigerator, TV, and other necessities alive when you lose power. We found a good generator that is less expensive and should get you through a storm. You may need hurricane window board-up clips for plywood, which can save time.

But you can also shop around for the best generator, depending on how much power you need. 

You will need to gas up your vehicle before a storm. The other supplies you’ll need are water, canned food, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered fan since you’ll lose air conditioning. You can also get a battery-powered air conditioner that can use power from your mobile phone or a battery bank. Also, fill large ziplocks with water and fit as many as you can in your freezer. You’ll have water and ice.

These are just some of the things you can do to prepare for hurricane season in Florida. The season ends on November 30, 2022.