HURRICANE DEBBY – UPDATE #4 – 8/5/2024
University of Florida officials are actively monitoring Hurricane Debby, which was upgraded overnight to a Category 1 hurricane from a tropical storm, according to the 5 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory. While much remains unknown about the storm’s path, here’s what we know:
Hurricane Debby made landfall along the Florida Big Bend coast early Monday and will slowly move inland across the Suwannee River Valley of inland Northeast Florida through the day on Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph, with higher gusts, and the storm is expected to weaken after Debby moves inland.
Forecasters advised the rainbands, strong wind gusts and isolated tornadoes will continue to move across northeast Florida through Monday night and early Tuesday, resulting in widespread flooding. Twenty-nine counties are under Tornado Watch, and 30 are under Flood Watch.
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph or higher are expected in 36 hours or less. A Tornado Watch is issued when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring. A Flood Watch is issued when flooding is possible.
In Alachua County, which includes the UF Gainesville campus, a Tropical Storm Warning, a Tornado Watch and a Flash Flood Watch are in effect, with wind gusts of Tropical Storm strength expected on campus. Eight to 10 inches of rain is expected, with more in isolated areas, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville. An evacuation order has been issued for those who live in mobile or manufactured homes, or flood-prone areas in Alachua County.
People should avoid travel during the storm if possible and use caution if they must travel. Do not drive through flooded areas and avoid downed trees and power lines. All UF units in the watch and warning areas, including main campus, should monitor forecasts and follow guidance from local officials.
UF announced on Sunday that its Gainesville campus is closed and classes are canceled Monday, Aug. 5. This includes all academic and student-related activities, including online classes and exams.
Essential employees should check with their supervisors regarding scheduling. UF Health hospitals and the majority of its clinical practices are open, with few exceptions. For more on closures, visit UFHealth.org. UF/IFAS personnel, and others at locations throughout the state should follow their local government’s guidance and check with their supervisors for information regarding their work locations.
UF will continue to monitor and update the UF community on expected impacts as information becomes available. An announcement about UF’s operational status for Tuesday is expected Monday afternoon. Information about operational changes will be shared through official UF channels, including the UF Alert Emergency Notification System.
