Hurricane Debby is approaching Florida and is taking aim at the Big Bend area.
Maximum sustained winds are around 80 mph (130 km/h), making Debby a Category 1 hurricane.
➤ Live updates: Get the latest news on Debby as she approaches Florida
Meteorologists warn that life-threatening storm surges and potentially catastrophic rainfall are expected.
Debby is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of rain to Florida, with some areas dropping as much as 18 inches.
Weather radar for Leon County, including Tallahassee, Panama City in Florida
Southeast radar provides broader view of Hurricane Debby
View the latest rainfall forecast for Tallahassee and Florida
Power outages in Tallahassee and Florida
Power outage? Follow food safety guidelines
According to FEMA, a refrigerator will keep food cold for four hours after a power outage, and a full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours. Avoid opening the doors as much as possible to keep the cool air inside.
➤ Spaghetti Models for Debby
“When in doubt, check the temperature with a thermometer and throw out food if the temperature is 104 degrees or higher,” FEMA says on its website.
-
Eat your fresh, perishable food first. Use coolers with ice if available.
-
Stock up on non-perishable food, at least a few days worth, and water. Ideally, you should have at least two weeks worth of food and water available.
-
Generators, camp stoves, and charcoal grills should always be used outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows.
Food safety during power outages: Debby to bring power outage. How long does your food last? How do you prepare it?
How to stay cool: How do you stay cool during a Florida heat wave when the power goes out?
-
Temporarily retain your cool air. Keep windows and doors closed and close curtains, blinds and shutters to keep light and heat out of the house. Close off the warmest rooms in the house and stay on the lower floors.
-
When it gets warm in your home, open doors and windows to create a breeze and keep the air flowing.
-
Stay on the ground floor as much as possible.
-
Roll up and remove rugs from wood or tile floors.
-
Wet your curtains, wring them out so they are damp, and open the windows. The outside air will cool down as it passes through the damp fabric. You can also wet a sheet or large bath towel and hang it in front of a window. Keep a plant sprayer handy to spray the cloth again when it dries.
View the latest warnings and alerts in effect for Florida
Weather alerts and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service. The map is updated automatically as conditions change.
What’s next?
We continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download the app from your local site to ensure you are always connected to the news. And check out our special subscription offers here.
This article originally appeared in Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane Debby Radar: See Category 1 Storm Approaching Land
