ORLANDO, Fla. — Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News and scroll below for the latest updates on Hurricane Debby from Channel 9′s team of meteorologists:
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10 p.m. update
Debby has dumped well over a foot of rain near south of Tampa and Sarasota.
North Florida will also see excessive flooding continue.
6:47 p.m. update
6:25 p.m. update
5 p.m. update
Debby is still a tropical storm, with maximum winds down to 50 miles per hour.
Meteorologist George Waldenberger said that the major flooding risk continues.
Flash flooding continues in parts of Northern Florida.
A flash flooding emergency is extended from Live Oak area east past Lake City.
5 pm EDT: Tropical Storm #Debby centered near the FL/GA border is expected to produce potentially historic flooding for portions of the southeastern U.S. through the next several days. More: https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/bhmOjb61f3
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 5, 2024
3:30 p.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving a live update on Debby’s aftermath.
He said 200,000 people in the state are without power.
Click here to stream his update live.
Hurricane Debby: See photos of damage, flooding in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis Gives Update #4 on Tropical Storm Debby at State Emergency Operations Center https://t.co/GVJK0DXBeD
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 5, 2024
2:50 p.m. update
Certified meteorologist Tom Terry said that scattered rain bands are winding down locally, but a disastrous flash flood emergency remains in effect in Suwannee County, where more than 16 inches of rain has fallen.
“And it’s still coming down,” he said.
The rainfall is reminiscent of Hurricane Ian’s affect on that area in 2022, Terry said.
A large swath of the southeastern United States continues to have a high risk of more flooding as Debby very slowly treks across several states this week.
See rainfall from the last 24 hours in Central Florida:
12:23 p.m. update
Deputies in Levy County said a teenager was killed after a tree fell onto his home during Hurricane Debby.
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office said the deadly accident happened around 8 a.m. at 8770 NW 168 Place.
Read: Sheriff: 13-year-old dies after tree falls into home in Florida
When the first responders arrived, they found a large tree that had fallen into a mobile home.
Deputies said a 13-year-old boy was crushed to death inside of the home.
11:50 a.m. update
Thousands of people are without power Monday after rain bands from Hurricane Debby moved through Central Florida.
Marion County has more than 11,000 outages.
Read: Thousands without power throughout Central Florida in wake of Hurricane Debby
More than 12,000 were reported in Lake County.
Power crews around the state are mobilizing to make repairs and restore power to affected areas.
11 a.m. update
Debby has been downgraded back into a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Debby is still expected to cause major flooding over the southeastern U.S. over the next few days.
Although Debby has just been downgraded back to a tropical storm, major flooding a concern for N Florida, SE Georgia, Coastal Carolinas as it slowly drifts northeastward. pic.twitter.com/mVoJ2bPXjG
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) August 5, 2024
SEE: Tracking Debby: Storm causes damage, flooding in Florida
10:50 a.m. update
Some residents in Marion County are being asked to boil their tap water before using it.
Due to a loss of power at the water plant, a boil water notice is in effect for all Marion County Utilities customers in the Fore Acres, Hillside Acres and Courtney Acres.
Read: Boil water notice issued for some Marion County residents
Residents within the community must boil water used for consumption until the water is tested and results indicate that the water is safe to drink.
Bottled water may be used as an alternative for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth, officials said.
9:39 a.m. update
Deputies in Hillsborough County said a driver is dead after a semi-truck crashed into the water Monday morning.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the large truck veered into the Tampa Bypass Canal on I-75.
Read: Deputies search for driver after semi-truck crashes into water on I-75
A dive team responded to the scene to search for the driver.
Crews are also responding to get the truck out of the water.
⚠️𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗜-𝟳𝟱⚠️#teamHCSO is on scene responding to an incident in which a semi-truck overturned and fell into the water off I-75 this morning. Our Dive Team is currently working to recover the vehicle. Please avoid the area… pic.twitter.com/R8Jk1cp56k
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) August 5, 2024
9 a.m. update
A Tornado Warning has been issued for parts of Orange County.
The warning area includes Pine Hills, Ocoee and Winter Garden.
Tornado Warning including Pine Hills FL, Ocoee FL and Winter Garden FL until 9:15 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/DtuQsumCLS
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) August 5, 2024
The alert is in effect until 9:15 a.m.
Most of Central Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m.
Watch live updates on Channel 9.
Aug 5 | We are tracking an area of weak rotation on radar, moving from near Bay Lake to Horizon West. A Tornado Warning has been issued, and will be in effect until 915 AM. https://t.co/45mQPu3eO4 pic.twitter.com/g80148Ipik
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) August 5, 2024
8:53 a.m. update
While Hurricane Debby makes landfall in northwestern Florida, the storm’s outer bands have been impacting Central Florida.
It was a scary scene in Cocoa, as several high-profile vehicles flipped at the Sonrise Palms RV Park.
Watch: Debby’s damage: Strong winds flip campers in Cocoa
One resident there described her panic as she ran to safety, witnessing RVs tipping over “one by one.”
Channel 9′s Sam Martello is at the RV park this morning and working to learn more about possible injuries.
FOLLOWING HURRICANE DEBBY: damage left behind at Sonrise Palms RV Park in Cocoa. This is just one of the RV’s that flipped in a severe thunderstorm. We’re told a 99 year old man was inside when it happened and was taken to the hospital. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/A8VHP54qD9
— Sam Martello (@sammartellotv) August 5, 2024
8:08 a.m. update
A Tornado Warning has been issued in Polk County.
The warning area includes Winter Haven, Haines City and Auburndale.
Tornado Warning including Winter Haven FL, Haines City FL and Auburndale FL until 8:30 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/m4gvgVD7U3
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) August 5, 2024
The alert is in effect until 8:30 a.m.
Most of Central Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m.
Watch live updates on Channel 9.
7:30 a.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving an update on Florida’s response to Hurricane Debby.
Watch the full news conference here:
Joining DeSantis at the news conference was Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.
Watch continuing coverage of Hurricane Debby’s impact in Florida on Eyewitness News.
6:59 a.m. update
The National Hurricane Center confirmed Hurricane Debby has officially made landfall in Florida.
The eye on the storm came onshore near Steinhatchee in Dixie County.
Watch: Action 9: Beware of storm chasers
Debby has maximum sustained winds of around 80 mph and is moving north-northeast at 10 mph.
The system is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and significant flooding to the area.
WFTV News continues to track the latest on Hurricane Debby on Channel 9.
#HurricaneDebby making landfall in the Florida Big Bend!
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) August 5, 2024
💧Bands of heavy rain will continue to move across the area with flooding possible!
🌪️A Tornado Watch for much of the region until 4 PM EDT!
✅Have multiple ways to receive warnings
💡 Use caution after the storm#FLwx pic.twitter.com/i7Q3DbPdrK
6:05 a.m. update
A Tornado Warning has been issued for northeastern Polk County.
The warning area includes Auburndale, Polk City and Eva.
Tornado Warning including Auburndale FL, Polk City FL and Eva FL until 6:30 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/cOhJ8Xjdpe
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) August 5, 2024
The alert is in effect until 6:30 a.m.
Most of Central Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m.
6 a.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to give an update Monday morning on Florida’s response to Hurricane Debby.
DeSantis plans to speak at 7:30 a.m. from the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
WATCH: Gov. DeSantis to give update on Florida’s response to Hurricane Debby
Joining DeSantis at the news conference will be Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.
Channel 9 will provide live coverage of the governor’s news conference when it happens.
5 am EDT: Hurricane #Debby very near landfall in the Florida Big Bend. Life-threatening storm surge expected in portions of Florida and major flooding is forecast for the southeastern U.S. Here are the Key Messages. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/iPUOesfYM6
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 5, 2024
5 a.m. update
The latest track has Hurricane Debby moving into the “Big Bend” area of northwest Florida.
Debby will gradually move east near I-10 and bring flooding rainfall along the way.
The storm system will likely linger near the Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina area all week long.
Hurricane #Debby nearing landfall in the Florida Big Bend. Life-threatening storm surge and potentially catastrophic rainfall expected. Here is the 4 am EDT update. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/dZnu1l2BBe
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 5, 2024
4 a.m. update
The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Debby will be capable of producing winds of 70 to 90 mph.
Read: Hurricane watch vs. warning? Remembering the difference is a piece of pie
Officials are advising residents to make sure loose items around their homes are secured.
Downed power lines and tree branches are also a major concern for portions of northern Florida.
Watch LIVE coverage of the storm on Eyewitness News This Morning starting at 4:30 a.m.
As Debby upgraded to hurricane, Lake County bumped up to a tropical storm warning...A few flood advisories popping up in Marion County. pic.twitter.com/GDCjTqb1g8
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) August 5, 2024
2 a.m. update
Meteorologist Tom Terry said Debby remains a Category 1 hurricane, increasing only slightly in strength since the 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
As of 2 a.m., NHC put Debby’s maximum sustained winds at 80 mph.
Watch: ‘Predicting the Path,’ a Severe Weather Center 9 special
Terry said the storm was continuing to move at a relatively slow pace, just 12 mph.
He expected Debby to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend around daybreak Monday, possibly near Steinhatchee.
Central Florida can still expect periods of heavy rain due to the hurricane’s outer bands.
Hurricane #Debby Advisory 11A: Debby Strengthening as it Nears Landfall in the Florida Big Bend. Expected to Bring Life-Threatening Storm Surge in Portions of Florida and Major Flooding in the Southeastern United States. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 5, 2024
12 a.m. update
Debby is a hurricane as it approaches the Northeastern Gulf Coast.
TIMELINE: Debby live updates Aug. 4
The track has shifted a bit west, meteorologist George Waldenberger said.
Most of Central Florida is under a tornado watch until 6 a.m. Monday.
TORNADO WATCH is up! Please stay alert. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/lPDOvWKRxu
— Brian Shields (@BrianWeather) August 4, 2024
Brevard County is the only area not under the tornado watch.
Read our previous timeline here.
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