Hurricane Hermine: First Hurricane to Hit Florida in Over a Decade; Path of Hurricane Bared and Public Advisories Issued [MAPS, DETAILS]
Tropical Storm Hermine becomes the first hurricane to hit the state of Florida. Governor Scott advises public to brace for the storm. Places in Florida where Hurricane Hermine will hit, advisories from the National Hurricane Center out. Fifty-one counties
It's official; Tropical Storm Hermine has been categorized as a full-fledged hurricane, and is forecast to hit Florida at midnight Thursday night. Experts say that Hermine is the first hurricane that will make landfall since 2005.
To quickly mobilize emergency help to affected counties, Governor Rick Scott has placed 51 counties in Florida under a state of emergency. He also advised residents and business owners to brace for dangerous winds and heavy rainfall. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hermine will have winds up to 70 mph on Thursday.
Florida National Guard on close watch
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Gov. Scott said that this is a life-threatening situation, since they have not encountered a hurricane in more than a decade. He added that around 8,000 members of the Florida National Guard are ready for the situation.
The Florida governor also ordered evacuations for five counties in the northwest part of the state and advised those that are located in three other coastal areas to evacuate. Experts forecast Hermine to move past Georgia and the Carolinas, bringing heavy rain on the East Coast until Labor Day weekend.
Georgia under state of emergency
Also keeping a close watch on the hurricane situation is Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. He has likewise declared a state of emergency over 56 counties in the state to prepare for the worst scenario.
Public Advisory from NHC
A Public Advisory was released by the NHC at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday, saying that Hermine is continuing to strengthen. It also warned residents about life-threatening surges and flooding due to heavy rains.
Hurricane warnings and watches are in effect for areas from the Suwanee River to Mexico Beach, Anclote River to Suwanee River, and West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County Line.
Meanwhile, tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect for Englewood to Suwanee River, Flagler/Volusia County Line to Duck, West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County Line, Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, North of Duck to Sandy Hook, Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to southward, and the areas of Southern Delaware Bay.
Forecasters also advised people residing along the northeast coast of the country to regularly check for updates regarding Hermine.
48-hour outlook for Hermine
Around 8 p.m. EDT, Hermine was moving north-northeast and is expected to speed up during the next day. The center of the hurricane will cross the coast of Florida tonight or early morning Friday.
Winds will increase to 80 mph. Hermine will weaken after it crosses the coast.
Hermine could produce around five to 10 inches of rain along the northwest of Florida, and southern Georgia on Friday, four to eight inches of rain, with a maximum of 10 inches is possible in eastern Georgia, parts of eastern North Carolina and South Carolina. Rains could lead to flooding or flash floods.
Tornadoes are possible tonight across southeast Georgia and north Florida. Risk for tornadoes could continue until Friday night along the eastern Carolinas.
The next complete advisory from the National Hurricane Center will be out at 11 p.m. EDT.
