11PM FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE:
Tropical Depression Four has officially formed over Cuba and is forecast to become Tropical Storm Debby on Saturday in the Gulf of Mexico. Its proximity to the SWFL coastline will bring some impacts.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Most impacts in SWFL will be Saturday night into Sunday, when the tropical depression or storm is closest
- Sunday will be breezy with gusts to 45 mph. How far inland gusty winds are depends on how close it is to the coast
- 2-6" of rain are expected through the weekend with isolated higher amounts along the coast
- A few spin up tornadoes can't be ruled out
- Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet are possible from Bonita Beach northward
The system will track near SWFL's coast on Sunday, triggering Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings across SWFL.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula from East Cape Sable to Boca Grande. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for inland Lee, Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota counties.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, where 2-4 feet of surge may cause coastal flooding.
On the forecast track, the system is expected to move into the Straits of Florida and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, followed by a motion near the west coast of Florida Saturday night and Sunday.
A Flood Watch has also been issued for Collier, Glades and Hendry counties, likely to be expanded in the coming hours.
WATCH the 5pm Friday night update on the Tropics from FOX 4's Certified Meteorologist Katie Walls
On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) issued a state of emergency for almost all of Florida. This action frees up funds and resources ahead of this tropical event.
