Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a State of Emergency this afternoon for 24 counties that are in the path of Tropical Depression 9, which includes Indian River County and Brevard County. The declaration will make available federal resources and support.
About an hour after the declaration, the storm’s path shifted slightly to the west, revealing potential landfall on the west coast of Florida and a track that continues north. However, it’s too early to predict where the potential hurricane will hit in Florida. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predict a Category 3 just south of Tampa.
All weather models tracking the storm are inconsistent on where the hurricane will go. Right now, it’s a tropical depression that is trying to organize, so the tracking is expected to change again.
According to the latest tracking, we could feel tropical-force winds in Sebastian by Tuesday. But again, we want to emphasize that the tracking is expected to change again this weekend.
The NHC said the global models had shifted westward, but there is still uncertainty as it emerges into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters at NHC agree that atmospheric and oceanic conditions appear “very conducive for strengthening through early next week.”
“The very warm waters of the southeastern Gulf of Mexico should allow for more strengthening once it crosses Cuba, and the NHC forecast once again shows the system approaching the Florida peninsula as a major hurricane by the middle of next week.”
A hurricane watch has been issued for the Cayman Islands, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for Jamaica.
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.
