With Tropical Storm Colin creating messy conditions across much of Florida, Governor Rick Scott is urging Floridians and visitors to the state to be prepared.
Governor Scott released the following statement:
We are closely monitoring this tropical system and its potential impacts on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Our most important goal is to protect our families, visitors and communities, and we will take every action to make sure our state is prepared for this weather event,” said Scott. “While Florida’s emergency officials, first responders and National Guard stand ready to respond to any need, it is crucial that Floridians use every resource to make sure their homes and families are immediately and thoroughly prepared.
The National Hurricane Center gives the system a 50 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next five days.
Upper-level winds could be more conducive for development as the system moves northeastward across the Gulf. Regardless whether it becomes a named storm, it’s likely to produce heavy rains in Florida.
Even if this system does not develop into a named storm, it still poses significant risks from flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes, and rip currents.
The potential impacts of this tropical storm include:
- Rainfall amounts that could reach up to five inches across much of Central and South Florida with isolated totals of eight to ten inches along the I-4 corridor.
- Severe thunderstorms are possible across North Florida. Additional severe weather is possible through Tuesday across portions of Central and South Florida.
- Increased wave heights along the Gulf Coast Monday and Tuesday and along the Atlantic Coast on Wednesday will elevate the risk of rip currents and minor coastal erosion.
Part of living in Florida, is dealing with severe weather, such as hurricanes and tropical storms. During hurricane season, it is always a good idea to make sure you stay up to date with the way the storms are categorized, and to know the procedures your family should follow in the event a storm hits.
The American Red Cross has put together a list to help people be prepared in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane. The following is a hurricane safety list, and identifies what you need to do to keep safe in times of severe weather:
- Get a full tank of gas before the storm. There could be shortages after the storm.
- Create an evacuation plan with family members.
- Keep plenty of cash with you.
- Make sure to have at least three days’ worth of food and water for each person in your household.
- Gather family and emergency contact information. Make sure all family members have ID.
- Get all medical prescriptions filled before the storm.
- Install plywood or hurricane shutters on doors and windows and secure all loose objects outside your home.
If you are evacuated from your home, leave early and make sure to avoid driving on flooded roads and bridges. Even shallow water can be dangerous.
If you or a family member is injured as the result of an accident or someone else’s negligence, our Florida Hurricane & Storm Damage Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online.