The tropics are busy in the Atlantic all around Florida, with one storm system in the Caribbean Sea dubbed Invest 98L tracking into the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters say it could move closer to Florida, but it’s too early to predict.
Yesterday, a hurricane tracking map published by AccuWeather worried many people in Sebastian, Florida. But forecasters with the National Weather Service (NWS) are still monitoring the system.
There are five storm systems in the Atlantic right now, which is typical this time of year. Most hurricanes have hit Sebastian during September and October, and we remember them quite well, especially in 2004 and 2005.
Invest 98L is in early development in the southeastern part of the Caribbean Sea, and the NWS says there is a 90 percent chance of further development during the next five days.
“The environment is forecast to gradually become more favorable in a couple of days, and a tropical depression is likely to form at that time. The disturbance is forecast to move west-northwestward across the eastern Caribbean Sea during the next day or two and be over the central Caribbean Sea this weekend.”
Sebastian Daily will keep you updated on any threats to our local area.
How to Prepare for a Potential Storm
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.
