Severe Weather Warnings: Up for Hawaii, North Carolina, and Florida: Forecasters Issue Hurricane Alert in Florida
Hurricane warnings and tropical storm alerts have been issued. Rains dampen Labor Day celebrations in many counties in North Carolina.
These are the latest updates for the weather disturbances looming Hawaii, North Carolina and Florida.
The National Hurricane Center announced a hurricane warning for Florida on Wednesday night. The warnings cover areas from Swanee River west to Mexico Beach. This warning is for residents to brace for the impact of Tropical Storm Hermine as it gains strengths while it passes over the Gulf of Mexico.
Path of Tropical Storm Hermine in Florida
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Tropical Storm Hermine was spotted 315 miles off west-southwest of Tampa. It has winds of 60 mph and is expected to strengthen until Thursday. Forecasters also reveal that Hermine will be near the coast by Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Governor Rick Scott has released warnings for nine more counties in the state as part of his emergency declaration. Scott included Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Holmes, Watson, Manatee, Washington, Osceola, and Sarasota. All in all, 51 counties are covered by the emergency order. This order will make access to resources needed for funding and disaster management easier for the state.
Hermine will landfall on Thursday night along the upper region of the Gulf Coast.
Path of Hurricane Madeline in Hawaii
Hurricane Madeline was downgraded into a storm as it passed Big Island in Hawaii. The National Weather Service has reduced Madeline into a storm Wednesday and has announced that it will not make landfall on any parts of the island.
But even with this piece of good news, tropical storm warnings are still up in the Big Island and in Maui County. The warning said that residents should prepare themselves for strong winds and severe rains.
Rains came in early Wednesday and then suddenly stopped. Heavy winds continue to rock the island. Hurricane Lester, on the other hand, is expected to be reduced into a tropical storm around Sunday and is located around 1,000 miles from Hawaii.
North Carolina readies for tropical storm
Governor Pat McCroy has given warnings to residents as North Carolina closely monitors a storm, which could bring severe weather conditions along the coast this weekend. This weather disturbance will hit NC after passing Florida.
McCroy said that Tropical Storm Hermine may pass along the coast of the Carolinas on Friday and Saturday. The governor added that it could be too soon to predict the impact of the storm, but he wants everyone to be ready. If weather forecasts are correct, the coastal areas will get several inches of rain over the weekend. This could dampen Labor Day plans, as the coast is usually busy with last minute Labor Day events.
