(ReliableNews.org) – On May 20, 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted another active season for Atlantic storms. This year, the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast could see as many as 13 to 20 named storms (storms with winds exceeding 39 mph or more). This week, Florida is caught in the crosshairs of two storms, Tropical Storm Fred and Tropical Depression Grace. A third weather disturbance, Tropical Storm Henri, is currently located southwest of Bermuda. It remains uncertain whether or not it will hit land in the US.
Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis issued a State of Emergency declaration regarding Tropical Storm Fred on Friday, August 13. As expected, Fred hit the eastern part of the Florida panhandle Monday afternoon close to Cape San Blas. The National Hurricane Center reported it made landfall with maximum sustained winds of about 65 mph.
This afternoon, #Fred made landfall in Cape San Blas. This does not mean impacts are over. Tropical storm warnings are still in effect from the Okaloosa/Walton County line to the Steinhatchee River. Residents should continue to avoid flooded roads & listen to local officials. pic.twitter.com/Hnmv3QJ9lW
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 16, 2021
DeSantis followed up with a Tuesday evening tweet advising Floridians to continue to heed local officials’ advice and avoid flooded roads. He also posted a map showing the projected movement of Fred through Wednesday afternoon.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded Fred to a tropical depression, meaning it can reach sustained wind speeds up to 38 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Winds can vary in a tropical storm from 39 to 73 mph before becoming a hurricane. The NHC projects Fred will dissipate within 3 days.
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