Florida’s western coast under hurricane watch as storm approaches

A hurricane watch and warnings for storm surges up to 15 feet high have been issued for almost all of Florida’s western coastline as a potential tropical storm moves towards the Gulf Coast. Currently known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, the storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Wednesday. The storm is about 150 miles west of Grand Cayman with sustained winds of 35 mph, moving northwest at 9 mph. Forecasters predict that the storm will move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday. Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in effect for the entire western coast of Florida, as well as parts of eastern Mexico and Cuba. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding to the region. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 61 counties and urged residents to prepare for the storm by stocking up on supplies and knowing their evacuation zones. This storm is part of an extremely active hurricane season predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, due to warmer sea surface temperatures and other factors linked to climate change. If the disturbance becomes a hurricane, it will be the fifth hurricane to hit Florida in three years.

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