Tropical Depression Nineteen – Update #2 – 9/12/2020
University of Florida officials are continuing to monitor Tropical Depression Nineteen. Here is what we know today:
Tropical Depression Nineteen is expected to produce heavy rains and gusty winds across Southern and Western Florida today and in Florida’s Big Bend and Panhandle late Sunday and Monday. Flood watches are now in effect for all Southern and West Central Peninsula. UF units with operations in those areas should closely monitor forecasts and follow guidance from local officials.
Tropical storm conditions are possible by Sunday night in portions of the Florida’s Panhandle, where tropical storm watches are in effect for south Walton, coastal Bay, coastal Gulf, and coastal Franklin counties.
Additional tropical storm and storm surge watches could be issued for western Panhandle counties later today. While rain is the larger threat, tropical storm conditions are possible beginning Sunday night in the watch areas along the coast. UF units with operations in the Panhandle should monitor forecasts and be prepared to follow guidance from local officials.
The system is forecast to strength to a hurricane early next week as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico with a forecasted landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border on Tuesday as a Category 1 hurricane.
No tropical warnings or watches are currently in place for Alachua County, and no operational changes are anticipated for the UF campus in Gainesville. We will continue to monitor and update the UF community on expected impacts or schedule changes as information becomes available.
For additional information, please visit National Hurricane Center.