Hurricane Debby safety precautions
Photo credit Weather Stem, courtesy of LCSO: Shell Mound, Cedar Key, FL.
Levy County Sheriff's Office, August 5, 2024
Hurricane Debby made landfall earlier this morning and has since passed to our north. However, the dangers of this storm have not ended. One life has already been claimed in Fanning Springs, Florida by a falling tree. Residents need to exercise caution, as the root systems of trees have been weakened by the heavy rains, and the continued wind can cause them to topple at any time.
Localized flooding in coastal communities and along rivers is still of major concern. Storm surge which will occur at 3:00 p.m. today, is expected to surpass what we endured during Hurricane Hermine, which made landfall at just east of St. Marks, Florida on September 2, 2016, and Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area on August 30, 2023.
Be smart and be safe. Avoid downed trees and powerlines until authorities in your area have issued an all safe bulletin.