The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Marion County and dozens of other counties that will remain in effect until later this evening as Tropical Storm Debby approaches the state of Florida, bringing strong winds and rain extending over 100 miles from its center.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center issued the Tornado Watch at 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, August 4.
The watch is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for at least 46 counties across the state of Florida. In addition to Marion County, nearby counties under the advisory include Lake, Sumter, Citrus, and Polk, among others.
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center at 11 a.m. shows that Tropical Storm Debby now has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is moving “north-northwest” at 13 mph.
The forecast track shows that the center will move “across the eastern Gulf of Mexico through tonight and reach the Florida Big Bend coast Monday morning,” according to the NHC.
The NHC reports that TS Debby is still expected to “become a hurricane by tonight,” strengthening before it reaches the coast. Debby is then expected to weaken after moving inland on Monday and Tuesday.
The storm is expected to produce between 6 to 12 inches, with a maximum of 18 inches, of rainfall across portions of northern Florida, according to the NHC.
“This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with significant river flooding expected,” reads the advisory from the NHC.
Updates on Tropical Storm Debby will be provided throughout the day. Check back on Ocala-News.com in the coming hours for more information.